The greatest years of horseracing were undoubtedly post war through to around the mid 90s - its been steadily going downhill ever since imo. At least the older ones of us got to see a fair bit of it before it went!
Thats 50 good years followed by 30 of decline - where will it be in another 30? Gone imo.

The fodder have no one to blame except themselves…..imo…..

I was at Perth recently £11.80 for a burger and soft drink…….no ta I will wait until dinner time at home…..

Lots of cars with people eating lunch before entering……

Just checked the dress code for tatts for this meet:

Well tailored suit/blazer with smart trousers,a collared shirt and tie.

This is clearly pure snobbery on the part of those that run the course.

How dare they dictate what people who have paid £43/48 to gey in must

wear!

Besides,who decides what is 'well tailored'or what is 'smart'?

Surely that is a matter of opinion.

What we see here is another example of those in power being completely

out of touch with the majority.

Some great but depressing posts on here. In these woke days of ultra civil rights how can you get away with telling people how to dress. Not seen Sunak recently with a tie so even the Prime Minister wouldn't get in!
So pleased most people agree with me. Trouble is boycotting will put prices up even more as they struggle to recoup losses and then we lose beautiful racecourses. Catch 22.
God bless  the racecourse managements who still care about their customers.

Tatts,Glasgow.

Some courses which do still offer a free bus from the train station: Exeter; Taunton; Wincanton (from Templecombe, though I prefer to cycle from Cary station); Salisbury; Goodwood; Brighton.

Plumpton, Sandown, Ascot, Newbury, Lingfield and Kempton don't need one, of course. And it might be a mile from the station to the course at Newton Abbot, but the sun is always shining, and there's blackberries and haw berries to pick in the way.

Maybe the cancelling of free buses is more a Northern thing?

Bath, Fontwell and Chepstow put on buses, but charge you for them (six pounds return in the case of Bath). But they're all Arena courses, so naturally they hate racegoers.

Cheltenham charges for the bus as well, but that's down to Willie Mullins stealing all the prize money.

Love catching the bus from Ludlow station great service...

Chester much busier yesterday as was the architect where many chose to leave the course early and relax in comfort nipping out to watch the racing from the wall.

Incidentally definitely no dress code in the tatts......

Thanks for clarifying that skip,  I didnt think it would apply for Tatts.

..... Chapman is supposed to be up on the walls later, should be fun.

According to the official course website, it appears they've eased the dress code for Tatts but ONLY for the fixtures outside of the May meeting.

If you're joining us for the Boodles May Festival please wear:

A well tailored suit/ blazer with smart trousers.

A collared shirt and tie.

... So if I wish to attend and also want to see the horses in the paddock I have to abide with that dress code ?? All very strange and makes no sense.

Listened to the interview (from the wall) with the track head honcho pre racing yesterday as to why they’re proud to have a dress code. It was utter piffle and belonged to a bygone day. I did the Wall/Architect thing (4g fine there and wi-fi decent in the pub) and would do the same again in similar weather.

Kelso tother day, one price (21) all areas, no dress code.

Free parking.

Value imo, Perth next Thursday, early bird a tenner, 15 on day.

Worried about Musselburgh as same mob as Chester in charge, some odd pricing, starting to frisk people in case they have a mars bar or packet of crisps on emm, crazy.

Track looked very sparse from the final bend to the winning line, probably more people on the walls.

* ON COURSE

Outside of the May meeting training shoes are still a no no in Tatts, though they allow ' smart' jeans, meaning it's the interpretation of the gateman who you come up against.

Though I don't have any qualms about the metal detector wand which safeguard against retards with knives,  I would bet that if Chester could get hold of a detector for picking up butties shoved down your undercrackers, they'd jump at the opportunity.

Oh dear, hadn't though about that. That is really mean.

Not attended a meeting for around 4yrs now despite having three fairly local tracks at Aintree , Haydock and Chester.

For 25 consecutive years i attended numerous tracks around the country via hospitality only so reckon i must have been somewhat spoiled as my first visit as a paying customer following that spell was an eyeopener indeed.

In the habit now of not even contemplating a racecourse visit and even turn down a few hospitality offers from old contacts which probably means my come racing days are over.

Delighted i attended all those yesteryears though as some of the memories will never be forgotten. 

All good things come to an end i guess.