‘MASSIVE’ Glorious Goodwood is set to welcome 100,000 punters when Covid restrictions are lifted.
The bumper five-day racing extravaganza can make up for a quiet Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot.
March’s Cheltenham meet took place behind closed doors, as did April’s Grand National at Aintree.
The royal meet welcomed The Queen to the final day of action last month, but was restricted to a maximum 12,000 punters each day.
Goodwood chiefs are hopeful of letting around 20,000 flood through the gates each day when the action begins on Tuesday, July 27.
The stellar festival took place behind closed doors last year.
But bookie Ben Keith told the Racing Post he thinks the return to racetracks after ‘Freedom Day’ on July 19 could be huge.
He said: “I think Glorious Goodwood could be massive, I think people will try and make that their Ascot and Cheltenham.
“I’d be delighted to see my fellow on-course bookmakers doing a day’s work again.
“We must push back all of this no-cash nonsense but I hope the on-course bookmakers will take the opportunity to have some boom days before the end of the summer and I think the ring could really hot-up during Glorious Goodwood.”
Goodwood managing director Adam Waterworth added: “Glorious Goodwood is going ahead at full capacity and things will be back to normal by the time it comes around.
“I feel for those that have missed out but one of us was going to be the first and I’m delighted it’s us.
“We know what the crowd number is now, it’ll be back to normal as it were and it’s great as it means we can plan it and people can book with confidence.”
As well as a packed schedule of top class races, the festival will also see amateur women jockeys compete in the Magnolia Cup.
Dortmund captain Marco Reus’ wife Scarlett will be one of those lining up in the charity race.
Frankie Dettori’s teenage daughter Ella is another, along with top trainer John Gosden’s daughter Thea.
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