CROWDS headed to South Cumbria's iconic racetrack as glorious weather and high quality racing provided one of the best days of entertainment of the whole summer.

The champagne was flowing on the first day of Cartmel Racecourse's bank holiday race meeting and spirits were high as the sun emerged just before noon to defy the gloomy weather forecasts.

Up in the Louis Roederer Restaurant guests were reclining in luxury and visiting the balcony that overlooked the track, which was bathed in the light of the afternoon sun.

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One of the tables was occupied by a group of ladies on their annual girls' day out.

Tracey Ormston and Denise Patton had organised the girls' day out with a group of 10 from Barrow and Millom.

Mrs Ormston said: "We come to Cartmel Races every year and they take great care of us.

"We love to support our local racecourse and we often have quite a few winners between us."

Sam Twiston-Davies, who is in contention for top jockey once again this year, came back to ride at Cartmel for the first time this year and was well backed by his many fans on the day.

Twiston-Davies, 24, had two fantastic winners in the first race and the feature race.

Out in the paddock enclosure there were plenty of youngsters out for a day of relaxed fun and punting on the horses.

Ashley Coulton, of Grange, celebrated his 21st birthday with a big group of young men all dressed in their smartest tweed and flat caps.

Spotted by the parade ring a group of glamorous girls could be seen with glasses of Pimm's as Olivia Keighley, who often holidays at Holker-owned caravan park Old Park Wood, celebrated her birthday along with her friends who had travelled from all over the north of England.

John Clifford, who was one of the best dressed men at the track in his tweed suit, yellow waistcoat and maroon trilby, attended the racetrack from Carlisle and, although he prefers the Irish trainers like Willie Mullins and Aidan O'Brien, he loves to come to Cartmel.

He said: "I travel all over the country to watch the horseracing but Cartmel is really dear to my heart."

The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment took full advantage of the crowds to get the word out about recruiting for the army.

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Strapping young soldiers and cadets sauntered about the track with buckets to raise money for the charity Help for Heroes and to encourage people to join up.

Kingsman Lee McDonald, 23, from Ulverston, said: "I've been posted in Afghanistan and now I'm back working in Barrow.

"I think it's good for us to attend events like this in uniform just to let people see us and try to keep the regiment going."

Back in the racecourse office new racing assistant Hannah Julian was co-ordinating the day with great panache.

She has recently graduated from the British Horseracing Authority's graduate programme at the British Racing School in Newmarket and is completing her work placement at Cartmel.

Miss Julian, who lives in Kendal, hopes that she will be able to pursue a career in racing events management and hopes to work at a track as friendly and successful as Cartmel.

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