A closer look at the rise of hooliganism at Royal Ascot

A new and unwelcome breed of racegoer — well-suited young men, travelling in packs, drinking unwisely and chanting menacingly — has become an uncomfortably prominent threat to the wellbeing of British horse racing

Indulge in some people-watching on any of the late trains out of Cheltenham during festival week and you’ll soon begin to codify your fellow travellers into one of three general types.

Firstly, there’s the ‘ardent few’ sitting quietly and staring intently at a mobile device, oblivious to all that is going on around them. Like a serious golfer, they know that the only shot to matter is the next one and they are already waist deep into tomorrow’s card.