Ascot was closed since 2004 for redevelopment work to take place

Among the main complaints from the specially-invited crowd were congestion around some escalators and staircases and problems with viewing.

"Everyone has learned something and we will put it to good use," said managing director Douglas Erskine-Crum.

"We've had people going out amongst the crowd and getting feedback."

The track was closed since September 2004 and will stage next month's Royal meeting, which begins on 20 June.

We are extremely optimistic about the Royal meeting Ascot managing director Douglas Erskine-Crum

The alterations include a new grandstand as well as changes to the racing surface in the home straight.

An invited crowd of 11,000 - including many local residents - were present to see the new-look course first-hand.

Erskine-Crum added: "We are extremely optimistic about the Royal meeting. The redevelopment work is about 95% complete now and it will be 99.9% by then.

"Considering that we only took possession of the site from the contractors on Friday night I think we've done a pretty good job.

"You can have all the computer simulations in the world but you can't beat the real thing for finding out how it all works."

Jockey Martin Dwyer passes the new grandstand

He also said he was confident that all of the grandstand, some of which remained closed to the public on Saturday, would be completed in time for Royal Ascot.

Ascot head of public relations Nick Smith acknowledged that they had anticipated some problems on Saturday.

"This was important for us to learn what works and what doesn't and we will be working to put as much into place as possible in time for Royal Ascot.

"Things like blocked toilets and problems with cleaning some areas can be sorted out quite easily and other issues that have been raised such as access to and from the paddock we will be looking at over the next few weeks."

On the track, Baby Strange created history by becoming the first winner at the new-look venue, landing the McGee Group Condition Stakes for trainer Paul Blockley and jockey Graham Gibbons.

Partners in Jazz, ridden by Ryan Moore, won the day's big race, the Victoria Cup after being steadily backed all week down to 8-1.

But Ascot favourite Frankie Dettori ensured that the day ended on a high note by taking the last race aboard joint-favourite Trafalgar Bay - and he celebrated with his trademark flying dismount.