THE cooler weather didn't put off visitors as the first day of racing got underway at York Racecourse.

The Dante Festival welcomed thousands of racegoers to the Knavesmire for the start of the 2018 season.

And many of them were dressed up to the nines, with one man sporting a head-to-toe pineapple print suit complete with matching tie and leopard print shoes.

Others still looked glamorous wrapped up in scarves to keep warm - but the chilly weather didn't not stop guests smiling and enjoying themselves.

Visitors took the opportunity to explore the redeveloped Clocktower Enclosure, which features twin canopies either side of the famous building, offering catering and betting facilities.

A record £8 million in prize money has been invested across the season. And the prize money available over the three day festival has risen for the seventh year in a row to £1.2 million.

Give And Take ridden by James Doyle took the £100,000 Tattersalls Musidora stake at odds of 7-2. The feature race for three-year-old fillies is one of 23 races across the York season to offer at least a six figure prize sum.