THE SUN shone as a crowd of nearly 18,000 flocked to the first race meeting of the year yesterday.

Day one of Chester Races' May Festival has been dubbed 'excellent' with about 500 more racegoers than the same meeting last year, thanks to the hot weather.

Football star Michael Owen and ex-Liverpool legend John Barnes also made appearances in their private boxes after being flown in via helicopter.

Other footballers were also at the races and they later enjoyed a meal at The Living Room, St Werburgh Street.

Hollyoaks star Ashley Slanina-Davies, who plays Amy Barnes, was there doing some filming which will be shown on the Channel Four races programme today from 1.35pm.

Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is due to appear at Ladies' Day today along with Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia.

Chester Racecourse chief executive Richard Thomas said: "We are delighted with the high standard of runners today that have provided an informative picture for the Fillies Premiere Classic at Epsom next month.

"The good weather has contributed to an excellent first day attendance and we looks forward to welcoming racegoers for Ladies' Day when the feature race will be the Bank of America Chester Vase." Six races took place in the scorching sun starting at 1.45pm and finishing at 4.35pm.

Altogether a crowd of 17,960 filled the Racecourse ground, from the County Stand to the Tattersalls Stand.

33-1 outsider, Bulwark, ridden by Jim Crowley, provided a good result in the Chester Cup race.

Successful trainer Ian Williams said: "It was the plan, it came to fruition, it's nice when it happens and Jim gave him a fantastic ride, he knows him well. He's the type of horse I like.

"Every dog should have his day, he's a horse with bags of ability."

Another winning horse in the 2.15pm race was 14-1 odds Sail ridden by jockey Johnny Murtagh.

He said: "She was always going well and can improve again. The start was messy and we were meant to be closer but six out we got into a nice rhythm and she did the job well.

"She's got speed and everything you need for Epsom."

Today is Ladies' Day and more than 21,000 racegoers are expected.
The County Stand and the Tattersall stand tickets were sold out for today and tomorrow but other tickets are still available. You can call the box office on 01244 304 610.

Clerk of the course, Ed Gretton, predicts the ground will be good today.

He said yesterday: "Another beautiful day is anticipated tomorrow so the ground will dry out a little more.

"We are moving the rail from the four-furlong marker into the home straight to provide fresh ground."