CRACKDOWN TO DRIVE OUT THE TOUTS

CHELTENHAM bosses hope a legal injunction against ticket-touting will rid them of around 200 touts operating during the Festival. Following a landmark High Court ruling last October, touts found operating on racecourse property face a fine, imprisonment and the seizure of assets. John Steel QC, who led the case on behalf of the Jockey Club, said the number of touts at Cheltenham has dropped to a handful this season and he is confident this ‘significant’ reduction will continue. During the Festival, which attracts 260,000 racegoers over four days, it has been common to see touts lining the walkways through the car parks and outside Cheltenham rail station. The local council and police will work closely to take action against touts there. The Jockey Club estimates it was losing around £1million a year from touting at the Festival and Grand National meeting.