THOUSANDS of racing fans turned out for a sparkling afternoon of action at Salisbury Racecourse’s season starter.

The bank holiday Sunday meet attracted a bulky crowd of 7,000 who were entertained by seven races as well as other fun-filled festivities.

A damp morning, which delivered a much-needed 11mm of rain to the track, gave way to a bright but windy afternoon at the Netherhampton course.

Training ace Rich Hannon, pictured right, who has a proven track record at Salisbury, made an emphatic start by winning two of the opening three races with apprentice rider Cam Hardie.

A steady ride from Hardie on favourite Harbour Patrol took the The Betfred Home of Goals Galore Maiden Stakes ahead of second-finishing Bushephalus and Free to Love in third over six furlongs.

Sandwiched between Hannon’s double was Hughie Morrison’s Fun Mac, who coasted to the clearest win of the day, by 11 lengths.

Much-fancied William Orange was just behind in second, with last year’s runner-up Rockfella and Spectator finishing well off the pace in the feature race, The Betfred City Bowl Handicap Stakes.

In the third race, outsider Illuminate, above, saw-off stablemate Great Page to storm home at 8/1 for Hannon’s second triumph.

Andover’s Ralph Beckett trained Maxwell to grind out his win over Hannon’s Shadow Rock in the one mile and two furlong handicap for three-year-olds.

And in a joyous weekend for the royal family, 24 hours after welcoming new arrival Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, great grandmother, the Queen, had a fitting winner in the same race two years ago.

The greatly-backed Fabricate, ridden by jockey Pat Cosgrave, made no mistake in roaring home in front of Yarrow and Nigel.

Underdog Saucy Minx came storming out of the stalls at 16/1 to wrap up the penultimate race and a comprehensive ride from Ella Smith on Two in the Pink claimed the lady riders’ amateur stakes.

Clerk of the course and executive director Jeremy Martin said the day was a great way to kick-start the 2015 season, which was the first of 16 races.

He said: “It was nice to have a royal winner and some well-backed horses meant a good atmosphere from an enthusiastic crowd.”

The next race meetings this month are on Thursday, May 14 and Saturday, May 23 (evening), and three are scheduled for June.

For more information about any upcoming racedays, go online at www.salisburyracecourse.co.uk.