PUNTERS are set to stake a record £100million and down tens of thousands of gallons of booze as a full Royal Ascot returns TODAY.
The world’s most prestigious horse race meeting will fully open its gates after a three-year break due to the pandemic — and is predicted to be the best yet.
A restricted government test event last year saw just 49,000 visitors.
This year, more than 270,000 guests are expected to pack the course in Berkshire for the five-day festival of racing.
Billionaires, celebs and royalty will attend from around the world, with sources saying a number of senior members of our Royal Family are expected.
The Queen, 96, has several runners, but it is unclear if she will attend due to mobility issues.
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Around 400 helicopters and 1,000 limousines are expected to drop off well-heeled guests, while punters will down 50,000 bottles of champagne — stockpiled to beat supply issues — 280,000 pints of beer and 125,000 glasses of Pimm’s.
Bookies predict a betting frenzy. Mark Pearson, of Betfred, said: “As temperatures soar, we are braced for a red-hot battle with the punters — and with plenty of short price faves, we could be in for a royal roasting.”
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