CHELTENHAM punters knew the cost of living squeeze was going to bite as they returned for the track’s first meeting this season.
But even they were shocked at paying £7.50 for a Guinness served in a cardboard cup.
Others online joked the beverage looked more like a cappuccino than the stout so famously associated with the home of jumps.
The cost of a pint of Guinness has gone up 50p since last March’s Festival.
Unfortunately it is a sign of the times and racecourse bosses have no choice but to raise prices as inflation soars.
Still, while punters clearly parted with the cash, the fact the Guinness was served in a cup more associated with tea and coffee was a bit of a surprise.
One punter posted a photo of their drink online and wrote: “Can confirm £7.50 in a paper cup.”
Another took a photo of their drink with the caption: “£7.50 for a Guinness in a paper cup at Cheltenham.”
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While another punter said: “£7.50 for a Guinness in a cardboard cup at Cheltenham. Members bar.”
A photo of one of the pints prompted one Twitter user to reply: “Sure that’s not a cappuccino?”
A Cheltenham spokesperson said back in March that the racecourse ‘works hard to absorb inflationary costs’.
But ‘current inflation rises in relation to goods and labour’ led to increases.
The rain absolutely pelted down at the Gloucester track but punters were still treated to some top quality action on it.
One of the more notable winners was former nail stylist Sheila Lewis seeing off Grand National winner Gordon Elliott.
Straw Fan Jack won the 2.10 for trainer Lewis at 5-2, beating three-time National winner Elliott’s 2-1 favourite Ash Tree Meadow by half a length.
She said: “Have you ever seen anyone so excited?
“I was going to do cartwheels coming into the winner’s enclosure but I was being interviewed – there’s plenty of time for that.
“How you can you imagine what this means for a small trainer like me?”
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