RACEGOERS were bathed in sunshine as they were treated to a packed afternoon of racing at Salisbury.

Some 90 horses took to the Netherhampton Road track for the eight race card.

The curtain raising Bathwick Tyres Novice Auction Stakes was won in dramatic fashion as warm favourite, Hellofahaste, arrived under Frederick Tylicki to deny Eddie Greatrex aboard Mr Hobbs.

There was an equally thrilling finish to the following Bathwick Tyres Maiden (Division 1) which saw Newmarket raider Open 'N' Shut grind down the odds on Ehtiraas.

The Roger Varian stable has an excellent strike-rate at Salisbury, so it was no surprise to see Andrea Atzeni's mount respond to his jockey's urgings and land a game victory. Atzeni was back in the winners' enclosure following the ROA/Racingpost Owners Jackpot Handicap where he fought out yet another successful battling finish, this time on Blenheim Warrior. In an 'all-grey' finish, Atzeni's mount found a little extra and went on to provide trainer Richard Hughes with his first Salisbury winner since hanging up his saddle last season at 10/11.

The second division of the Bathwick Tyres Maiden was won by jockey Steve Drowne and trainer George Baker who combined with Mamillius before Entertaining Ben sprang a 25/1 upset in the following Sharp's Doom Bar Handicap under Martin Dwyer for William Muir. R Bar Open kept up the theme of big prices and tight finishes in the penultimate Molson Coors Handicap with jockey Robert Winston galvanising his mount to just get the better of long-time leader Moi Aussie to provide Dean Ivory with a 16/1 winner.

The feature EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Margadale Fillies' Handicap was won in nice style by 2/1 favourite White Poppy for trainer Andrew Balding.

The card was finished with the Littleton Stud Racing Excellence Apprentice Handicap Stakes which was won by Lulu Stanford aboard Monarch Maid for trainer Peter Hiatt.

Salisbury host a family raceday on Sunday, where the feature race will be the Listed EBF Cathedral Stakes.

The first race is at 2.15pm.