Crowds of spectators basked in the sunshine to enjoy the start of the weekend's racing in York which continues today .

Champagne flowed and bars laid on free glasses of water to help many of the 11,000 spectators stay cool yesterday.

The Knavesmire was braced for one of its busiest race days yet today as the gates opened on Macmillan Charity Day.

The good cause is due to reach a milestone - with the amount raised over the past 40 years set to overtake the £6 million mark.

The race course works with the cancer charity every year to raise up to £40,000 over the course of the day of fun events.

Marketing Manager James Brennan said: "It will be a nice afternoon with some ticklish handicaps and all the extra fun of Macmillan."

Friday's meeting saw a number of Yorkshire-trained winners romp home to victory to cheers from the packed stands.

Temperatures were ideal for a day's racing being warm and dry without reaching wilting point, Mr Brennan added.

A highlight of today's racing would be the Macmillan Charity Race itself in which 12 amateur jockeys would ride the dream around the Knavesmire.