PUNTERS excited for the jumps racing return at Cheltenham were left stunned by the on-course food and drink prices.
They were forced to stump up £7.50 for a pint of Guinness and were further shocked after being served drinks in plastic cups.
That price was 50p higher than a pint of Guinness at the Festival earlier this year.
The cheapest pint served on the day was a Pravha lager, coming in at £7.40.
It was reported that students made up over 25 per cent of the attendance during Saturday’s meeting.
And it wasn’t just the booze that would have left them speechless, with a burger setting you back a huge £10.50 on track.
Some of those punters took to social media to share pictures and slam the prices.
One person shared an image of a pint in a paper cup and tweeted: “Pint of Guinness at Cheltenham yesterday £7.50 and a paper cup in the members lounge. Absolutely scandalous.”
Another person added: “£23.40 for two pints of Guinness and a lager at Cheltenham on Friday. Chicken burger £9. The cost of food and drink is ridiculous.”
A third user tweeted: “Rip off for people who love racing. £30 entry, £9 for a wine, £7.50 Guinness and £10.50 a burger. Rip off Cheltenham in cost of living crisis.”
Another said: “£7.50 a pint, £9 a wine, like £10 a burger at Cheltenham as well and hotel bill £700 a night #CostOfLivingCrisis.”
While one posted: “Paid £7.50 for a pint of Guinness at Cheltenham yesterday just ripping people off.”
While another tweeter shared an offer at their local track, Redcar, and the deal they’d put on for racegoers.
They said: With all the hoo-hah about the £7.50 Guinness in a paper cup and the £10.50 burger at Cheltenham as an example of punters being ripped off it is pleasing to have a course local to me where that definitely does not happen.
“£15 for a 3 course restaurant meal! Best value in Britain.”
Cheltenham defended their prices, with paper cups part of the track’s efforts to improve sustainability at the course.
A Cheltenham spokesperson said: “We work hard to absorb inflationary costs wherever we can.
“However, current inflation rises in relation to goods and labour in society today have led to an increase in prices for some of the items we serve.
“Despite this our prices are comparable to other major sporting and entertainment venues.”
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