RACING flowed smoothly at Cartmel’s Beer Festival Meeting as punters enjoyed fantastic ales alongside winners on the track to take them away from a world dominated by talk of politics.

Referendums took a back-seat as racegoers replaced fallen prime ministers with horses clearing tricky obstacles and surprise winners with favourites cheered as they crossed the line.

There were showers in the hours before racing began and grey cloud hanging ominously in the sky, but hardy spectators still set to work erecting gazebos and lighting barbecues.

They were rewarded as the sun came out in time for the first of seven races and darted in and out of the clouds throughout the afternoon.

The beer tent attracted those looking for an unfamiliar tipple, with brews such as Dark Horse, Chaser and Hurdler perfect for the racing aficionados.

Racecourse managing director Jonathan Garratt, who requested Dark Horse be brewed for the course, admitted attendances – estimated to be shy of the hoped-for 4,000 – might have been hit as people stayed at home to absorb the national news, but was pleased with a happy atmosphere.

He said: “It’s a lovely day and we are very happy. I’m sure a lot of people are sitting at home watching referendum results still, resigning prime ministers and everything else.

“We’re delighted with the way the June meeting (introduced last year) is going.

"It’s a lovely atmosphere, there is good racing and we have the Sunday meeting to go, which will bring out many more families, who were in school today.

“The real ales are going down well and I will certainly be tucking into one or two at the end of the day.”

Punters were certainly rewarded in the opening Jennings Cumberland Ale Maiden Hurdle as they backed Knight Bachelor in to 1-2 favourite and watched as he was able to canter home under no pressure at all, to cheers from those lining both sides of the home straight.

The crowds will return to Cartmel tomorrow, for only the second Sunday meeting in the history of the course. Racegoers will be treated to circus entertainment from performers.