Cheltenham Attracts Impressive Crowds

Despite the recession hitting consumer spending, Cheltenham racecourse has reported its second biggest-ever attendance for its prestigious November Open meeting.

Close to 70,000 people watched over the three days, just falling shy of the meeting’s record high set in 2007.

Racecourse managing director Edward Gillespie commented: ‘We’re in a part of the country that’s probably feeling the crunch less than others. There is still a lot of money being spent here on the course and a good positive feel.

‘I think people are being sensible but very upbeat. We certainly can build the rest of the season on what we’ve seen over the last three days.’

The attendance figures come despite an eight per cent drop in year-on-year spending on the government bookmaker the Tote and catering.

Cheltenham have introduced the Best Mate Season Ticket to attract punters to racing during credit-crunch times, which allows entry in to the Best Mate Enclosure for all 17 Cheltenham race fixtures.