THE Curragh Racecourse chief executive Derek McGrath says the feedback he has received from last weekend’s two-day fixture was positive in the main, though there is room for improvement ahead of next weekend’s Guineas Festival.

Temporary facilities including marquees are in use at the Curragh during the two-year redevelopment of the grandstand and the configuration of the enclosures has been significantly changed.

“The general sense I took away from last weekend was one of positivity that racing was back at the Curragh and that the facilities were at least as good as we had before,” said McGrath.

“Yes, there are things we need to fix. There were aspects of the event management, traffic and parking that we didn’t get right and a lot of people were discommoded. We unreservedly apologise to visitors who were put out. We have taken their feedback on board and will make changes. Even from Saturday to Sunday, we learned a lot and improved things.”

There were 2,000 on-site on Saturday while Sunday’s attendance was reportedly 2,500. Considerably more are expected next weekend, though it is unlikely the controversial maximum capacity of 6,000 will be reached.

Representatives of the jockeys, trainers, owners, stable staff and bookmakers were generally happy with facilities last weekend.

Bernard Caldwell of the Irish Stablestaff Association said: “I didn’t get one complaint. We had been there the previous week for the trials day and anything we weren’t happy with has been fixed or will be addressed. We’re happy and we have a sponsored canteen as well.”

Aiden Burns from the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners commented: “Some of our committee members said there was a bit of a problem with parking but, within the enclosure, the general feeling was that the Curragh had done a good job relative to the situation. The marquees make the place a lot more compact and it actually lends itself to a good atmosphere.”

Bookmaker Francis Hyland said: “It’s very hard to judge on the first meeting. Betting was poor but it was a small crowd and punters will take time to find their bearings. Although the betting ring has no real focal point I thought the arrangements were reasonably good in the circumstances. “I am in a minority in that I agree with the decision to continue to race there. I think if you shut down the Curragh for two years you would have a hell of a job to get them back. I have been critical of the Curragh in the past but the team have been very helpful and I am confident that if something is wrong they will go and fix it.”

The jockeys’ changing room has been relocated to the old entrance building and their spokesman Andrew Coonan was upbeat. “We participated in the trial and made some observations and recommendations. The Curragh team took those on board and made some changes. While facilities are tight the riders felt a great effort had been made and they are prepared to work with the Curragh in getting through this transition period.”

Michael Grassick of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association said: “I’ve heard no complaints from our members. Our main gripe is that the redevelopment plan does not include a new stableyard. There was an opportunity there to move the stableyard behind the Turf Club offices, so that everything was on the same side of the road. Unfortunately our views were not taken on board.”