Happy punters are quids in on revamped Poundland Hill

The famous Hill at Epsom has been drawing in the punters ever since three-year-olds first clashed on the Downs – a free-entry arena that has done more than anything else to create the Derby's image as the people's race.

For centuries it has attracted a crowd drawn from every facet of society: from travellers to Cockneys to well-heeled aristocrats who fancy a walk on the wild side. It is eccentric, carefree and covers such a vast expanse of land there's even room to stretch out, which you sure can't do over in the land of toffs and top hats.

Even better, if you've come to the Derby and suddenly remembered you were supposed to pick up a new bath mat, settee and knock-off DVD of Michael McIntyre's latest stand-up, there's a remarkably exhaustive market too. So something for everyone, basically, and the sort of place that makes the posh bits across the track feel almost sterile by comparison.