Ebor Diary: Met office blamed for gloom despite sun

Yesterday the course was noticeably busier with a crowd of at least 20,000 and organisers are laying the blame for Tuesday squarely at the door of the Met Office.

Apparently forecasts of poor weather meant the ordinary punters who normally come down for a picnic and a flutter were put off by the threat of downpours. Tickets for the pricier covered stands were more popular than ever.

As things turned out, of course, those who took the plunge and turned up anyway enjoyed a warm and sunny afternoon. Sometimes, it's not just horses it's worth taking a punt on…

As you might expect, the champagne has been flowing freely all week at Ebor, "We sell more champagne per head here than at any other racecourse," says hospitality manager Geoff Stewart. The secret, it seems, is all in the price. "At 26 for a bottle of Mercier, this is the best-value champagne at any racecourse in the country," he says.

UNITED WE STAND FOR EXCELLENT WEEK

Leeds United stars past and present have been savouring a terrific week's racing at Ebor, with club legend Eddie Gray and former striker Robbie Blake both in attendance yesterday.

A source at the course's ever-popular Champagne Bar also reports that several current players had been enjoying the atmosphere the previous afternoon.