Sniffer dogs, blisters and a dance floor that's full before the first

There was standing room only on the train to Chichester, much to the irritation of one Goodwood racegoer. Removing his right shoe, he loudly complained to his companions – and the rest of the carriage – about a painful verruca.

It was an inglorious start to the day, but this possible non-runner was soon reshod and bound for the shuttle bus to Goodwood, ready to put the 'fun' into 'fungal infection'.

The pre-racing drama continued as a young man was escorted away by security staff from the East Entrance, protesting: "I ain't done nothing." A sceptical sniffer dog clearly begged to differ, or perhaps the miscreant had fallen foul of Goodwood's strict rules on double negatives.

After those gritty scenes, the expected glamour swiftly swept onto centre stage. Fashion expert Jo Good was filming a live segment for ITV's 'This Morning', surrounded by a dozen magnificently plumed racegoers.

"When you want me to shut up, just do this," Good instructed the producer, drawing a finger across her own throat in a gruesome manner.

Men's racecourse fashion often appears to be inspired by 'Peaky Blinders', Michael Corleone or Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. But Goodwood is a broad church, sartorially speaking. There were some lovely floral cravats and waistcoats on show, as well as one spectacular Salvador Dali-style waxed moustache.

The Magnolia Cup contenders received hearty encouragement from spectators as they went down to the start. One jockey murmured: "Steady, steady!" – as much to herself as to the horse. We all need reassurance sometimes. "I look like a munter," said a forlorn young woman but her friend responded: "You don't, you look f***ing brilliant!"

Sadly, this exchange came too late for 'This Morning'.

Panama hats with the famous egg-and-bacon ribbon were a frequent sight. One lady in the Richmond Enclosure remarked, not entirely approvingly: "Awful lot of MCC members around here."

Panama hats are a regular sight at the Sussex track
Panama hats are abundant at the Sussex track
Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
There didn't seem to be quite as many MCC members in The Beach, a pop-up party destination in the bowels of the Sussex Grandstand. In the Lennox Enclosure, the singer of Goodwood stalwarts Squinty McGinty's Band announced: "We're going to do a slow, miserable one now …". But that wouldn't wash at The Beach, where Hawaiian-shirted DJ Chris K filled the dance floor even before the runners were at the post for the opening race.

Soul II Soul's hit 'Back To Life' provoked gull-like shrieks of delight and next to the DJ booth was an Instagram-friendly floral swing.

The scent of battered cod and loaded nachos drifted across from the adjoining Beach Canteen. And a thirsty queue formed for Blue Raspberry Slushies, costing £5.25 – or £10.50 if you added a vodka shot.

Emerging from those Dionysian depths, it was slightly surprising to discover that the time was 1.30pm rather than 1.30am.

Mind you, it wasn't much more sedate above ground, where a woman was having her photo taken, flanked by two policemen. "I know you're not allowed to handcuff me," she said, reasonably enough, "but could you grab my wrists?"

A ten-strong hen party posed for a fantastic group shot by the rails as the Richmond Stakes runners flashed past behind them. Ginny, the bride, chose Goodwood as the venue "because it's civilised and we can all dress up – I didn't just want to go to the pub.

"We're from Pagham, which is only 20 minutes away, but I've never been racing here and we've just had our first winner, so that's a bonus!"

Thursday was another warm day at Goodwood, despite the clouds banked over the surrounding Downs. The track was pleasantly buzzy rather than crowded, although that may have been due to the Ozempic effect.

Billy Loughnane was applauded by fans after walking away from a nasty fall from Savvy Disko. But not everybody had such a high pain threshold. In the gents', there was an anguished cry of "Has anyone got a plaster?" from a man suffering with a blister.

Bookmakers: will be hoping for a better day
The Goodwood betting ring
Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
One lad on the rails was struggling to interpret the racecard: "So that means the horse is nine stone and the jockey is six stone?"

Simon and Karyn Harding were no such racing novices, having been Goodwood regulars since the 1970s. Simon broke off from his picnic in the Lennox Enclosure: "It's a two-hour drive from our home in Kent but it's lovely countryside and well worth it.

"Sometimes we come on our own, sometimes with a big party. We used to bring the kids and they're in their forties now! We go to Ascot too, and the Derby, but Goodwood's always special."

"We've been here in all weathers," said Karyn. "Sunshine, pouring rain – once it was so foggy the commentator couldn't see any horses!"

So what has kept the couple coming back to Goodwood year after year?

Simon paused, long enough for me to realise what a silly question I had asked, and gestured expansively towards the landscape behind him. His message was clear: never mind blisters or verrucas, just put your best foot forward and get down to Glorious Goodwood.