a day at the races
Not a bad (financial) outing to Newton Abbot - 3 'placed' (one from stokey, one from sibbo and one that they both picked) and a random 7/1 winner from dave's patented "that looks fit" method ;+)
Just about broke even on the betting, got half price admission on a "bogof monday" deal and even managed to seriously piss off a Zafira driver who didn't/wouldn't understand the process of 'zipping' on the way out. So what's not to like ... well quite a lot actually.
Probably the worst "racecourse experience" I've ever had - abysmal food (virtually no choice of providers, overpriced and queues everywhere even on a quiet day), dreadful course view (even with binocs) and a total ban on eating/drinking anywhere where you could actually see the racing (unless you cough up for some sort of 'executive tw*t package') - what century are these people living in?
The only place you were allowed to drink a pint was either on a windswept balcony full of smokers, facing directly away from the course, or in a vile betting hall under the main stand.
If this is what passes for a "routine racing day" experience, then no wonder courses are closing .... is this usual and I was just lucky with Fakenham and Newmarket earlier in the summer - or are they the the norm and NA is out of line?
< punter dave >