Royal Ascot punters set to stake record £100million and down tens of thousands of gallons of booze

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.

PA

Royal Ascot punters are set to stake a record £100million after three-year break due to Covid[/caption]

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.

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.”