THE Cheltenham authorities are predicting a 15 per cent drop in racegoers travelling to the festival from Ireland this year but local estimates paint a more bleak picture, reports BRIAN O'CONNOR

Up to 8,000 Irish punters travel to Prestbury Park each year but some tour operators are reporting a drop in business of over 30 per cent.

“The Tattersalls Ring at Cheltenham is usually sold out before Christmas but you can still get tickets for it now. It’s hitting in England too,” says Walter Greacon of Leopardstown Tours. “I would say we are down 30 per cent on last year – and last year wasn’t great.” More and more people book flights and accommodation on-line but the economic downturn is still hitting home with a vengeance. “You can see it in a lot of people who are involved in the building trade. Carpenters, electricians, even brickies used to build the thing up but they have been hit hard. The middle classes have been hit too, particularly those who have invested in shares,” Greacon adds.

A total of 230,000 people attended last year’s festival and the Cheltenham managing director Edward Gillespie says he won’t be disappointed by a 10 per cent drop on that in the current climate. He said: “If the number coming over from Ireland goes down from 7,500 to 7,000 you won’t see any difference. It will still feel very Irish.”