The Racecourse Prices Index: £49.50 champagne and £8 pie and chips at Chepstow

In The Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) we report from Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing.

Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from Chepstow

Chepstow: hosted an eight-race card on FridayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Chepstow

Date visited: Friday, May 27, 2022

Was it a big day?

It was not, but the King Power, Highclere, Cheveley Park Stud, Al Shaqab and Juddmonte silks were on show.

How much was entry on the gate?

£22.

Other than restaurants/hospitality, what were the food and beverage options?

Decent, although a brisk wind meant the ice cream van might have not done roaring business despite the blue skies and sun.

In the Grandstand and Paddock Bar, there was a canteen-like facility offering sandwiches and wraps from £3.50 and they looked the part – as did the pies.

You could get one with chips for £8, while that price rose to £10 with a soft drink included. £12.50 would get you a bottle of beer as well. Beans, burgers, jacket potatoes and (hot) sausage rolls also featured on the menu.

The burger stall had that classic sizzle smell and did the usual, while next door was one of those sweet vendors you'd get at a local fair or show. It boasted all the old favourites including those icey, slushy drinks that are probably as familiar as the Juddmonte silks - £1.50 for either raspberry or strawberry seemed fair.

The absence of Kinder Buenos was, however, regrettable, but no-one ever said British racing was perfect.

What's the damage?

Bottle of water: £2
Cheapest pint: £5.20 (Shipyard, Carlsberg, Kingstone Press)
Guinness: £5.90
Champagne: £49.50
Burger: £6.50

All drink prices taken from the main racecourse bar, or where there are multiple bars, one chosen at random.

What was the burger like?

Good – if you closed your eyes and were blind-tasting it you'd not miss that distinctive burger-van taste and texture. Far from a gourmet burger, it does the job and was probably value if you can make peace with paying £6.50 – I think I can.

And the queues?

It was early and a moderate card, so trade was not expected to overwhelm staff – and it didn't.

Read more from our Racecourse Price Index series . . .

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The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a burger and a pint at Beverley?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for food and drink at York?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for food and drink at Haydock?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for food and drink at Goodwood?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for food and drink at Lingfield?

The Racecourse Prices Index: don't miss Yarmouth's legendary fish and chips

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much is a burger and pint at Huntingdon?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much will a pint at Brighton set you back?

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