IT was all smiles and enjoyment at Knavesmire today -  apart from two sudden downpours which co-incided with two big races.

At  the start of the afternoon, the racecourse fell silent in  memory of those who died in the Manchester Arena bombing before a spontaneous round of applause as the screens showed the "I Love Manchester" symbol. 

During the racing, the main concerns for the 22,000 crowd were preventing the wind from blowing their fascinators off, sunning themselves, watching the racing and visiting the bars and restaurants.

One hen party from Manchester said they felt perfectly safe.  Police patrols were more than normal, but not obtrusively so, and the officers were all smiles themselves.

Racecourse marketing manager James Brennan said: "It's been a good day. We have played our part in a Bank Holiday weekend to cheer up the country after what has been a difficult week."

Many hardy racegoers picnicked in the open in the Course Enclosure and sheltered under umbrellas.

On the other side of the racetrack everyone else ran for the stands and large canopies when a thunderstorm drenched the  2.40 weddingmates.co.uk Grand Cup and a second cloudburst soaked the 3.50 Unibet Sprint, won by Malton trainer Tim Easterby's Copper Knight. 

The racecourse's head of marketing, James Brennan, said: "It's been a good day. We have played our part in a Bank Holiday weekend to cheer up the country after what has been a difficult week."

At the end of the afternoon, some racegoers stayed on to watch the FA Cup Final on the racecourse's televisions, but most headed into the city centre for the pubs and bars there.