Visiting the only attraction in Stratford without a Shakespeare theme

Did Shakespeare not like horses? I ask because Stratford racecourse is the only attraction in the Warwickshire town which does not proclaim its links with the bard. Even the Wetherspoons (yes what's not good enough for London Road, Brighton is still good enough for Stratford apparently) has a Shakespeare theme.
Perhaps the locals actually tire of all the tourists and the domination of their town by Ann Hathaway's cottage/bed/tomb/husband, and for that reason are so keen to support their local track.
Stratford is an urban racecourse, surrounded on two sides by houses and adjacent to an abandoned railway line. Saturday's meeting was its penultimate one of their season, for in contrast to Fakenham (scene of Friday's review) it is a summer jumping venue.
There is still a certain snobbishness in racing circles about steeplechasing during good weather. The ground needs watering (even in latish October the clerk of the course had 'selectively' watered) and the horses tend to not be much good, but judging by the crowds at Stratford the public still like it.
Stratford is a racecourse which also diversifies into a campsite as an additional revenue generator. This is fine I guess, but unlike the other courses which do this Stratford allows the caravans to remain on race days  From the chat around the course this weekend I gather there was some kind of caravan show (I know, I know) at the nearby Birmingham NEC this weekend, and a number of enthusiastic 'campervanners' had parked their pride and joys on the infield.
Fortunately the on course big screen saved the day, enabling us punters to see all the action (as well as the beamed in coverage of Champions Day from Ascot). By positioning myself at the entrance to the on-course Betfred shop it was possible to listen to Richard Hoiles Racing UK commentary and view my 'cliff'* horse, Found, come (inevitably) second again.
The betting ring was busy, with plenty of pitches in the jungle.

I was delighted to see legendary bookie Gary Wiltshire trying his best to not take £1 each way bets from a queue of tipsy women in the back row. Gary achieved fame notoriety for losing anything from £250k to £2million (depending who is telling the story) when Frankie Dettori rode his 'magnificent 7' at Ascot years ago now. Back in the day at Yarmouth Gary used to style himself as 'the belly on the telly', on account of both his size and his role as betting guru on the Sky dogs coverage. Nowadays he's 'Gary no longer the belly on the telly' as his rumoured gastric band means he less than half the man he used to be, and Sky have apparently ended his TV contract. 
In all honesty I prefer his new official moniker 'Gary Wiltshire and Sons - A Proper Bookie.' I had a small and appropriately unsuccessful wager with him for old times sake.
'Score on the top please Gary', I said, and I glowed with pride when the great man replied,
'You got it pal.'
Talking of racecourse legends it was a happy coincidence that the At The Races coverage of Stratford was fronted by former jockey, Luke 'leg lock' Harvey. Luke was a journeyman jockey who somehow managed to ride 250 winners but actually has turned into a remarkably good broadcaster (albeit I suspect the competition from Ascot meant his viewing figures on Saturday would not have troubled the ratings).
As for the racing itself it was not in all honesty a great standard. The second race was an 8 runner seller which had just one reasonable horse due to take part. This animal was duly declared a non-runner, leaving 7 truly poor contestants to do everything they could to avoid winning. Remarkably the winner, despite a total absence of any meaningful form, attracted a bid of 4,700 pounds oops sorry guineas and will now ply its trade with a new trainer for its presumably stary-eyed and in my estimation somewhat optimistic purchaser.

If all this comes over as a bit negative I apologise. Stratford racecourse may not have the atmosphere of a country track such as Fakenham, but it still makes for a good day out. I suspect if I lived in the Birmingham area I'd be a regular.
*cliff, as in 'follow off' 


Stratford marks (out of 10)
Welcome/friendliness 6
Atmosphere 6
Betting ring (size, competitiveness) 6
Racecard (cost, quality) 5
Queues for bar 5
Viewing 6
Standard of racing 5

Total (out of 70) 39

Punting success - lost.