A BUSY first day Ebor crowd had plenty to celebrate as the sun shone on Knavesmire and a North Yorkshire winner helped line the pockets.

There was silence on the gallops as 50-1 outsider Bagan threatened to spoil things when romping home to take the opening race.

But the jeers turned to cheers when local favourite Bollin Eric stormed to

victory just half-an-hour later.

The heavily-backed favourite, who is trained at Malton, set the tone for a

fantastic first day at York.

A crowd of 20,591, up three per cent on last year, soaked up the sunshine

and joined a host of celebrities as the three-day festival of racing got off to the best possible start.

England cricket ace Andrew Flintoff, fresh from helping his country demolish South Africa in the third test earlier this week, was relaxing before play commences again at Leeds on Thursday.

He said: "I am really looking forward to the racing. I have had a few days

at Trent Bridge and it's nice to have a day or two away from the cricket.

Now I just need a couple of winners before Thursday."

Claire King, former Emmerdale actress and star of Bad Girls, said she was in town for all three days of the meeting.

"I am a regular visitor to the racecourse and I love the Ebor meeting. Since I am not working at the moment, I am able to come every day this year!

"I am really looking forward to it. Obviously it is one of the biggest

meetings of the year."

Also on the course were Australian Olympic gold medal athlete Cathy Freeman and snooker star turned commentator John Virgo.

They weren't the only ones having fun, as punters got into the spirit of

things, and looked forward to Royal Ascot York in either 2005 or 2006.

Brothers David, Peter and Stuart Brown travelled from Preston and Nottingham to take their regular place at the races. They said they had been to every

Ebor meeting for the last 16 years.

David said: "We want to have a good time, look to win a few pounds, enjoy it and most of all not lose too much."

Peter said: "Royal Ascot is a good thing for York and hopefully we will be able to come to that meeting too."

Mike Clarke, of York, was among those celebrating a couple of winners. "I had two out of four with Powerscourt and Bollin Eric so I am up at the moment," he said. "I am enjoying it and I am looking forward to the next two days."

William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the course at York, said the

first day had been fantastic for racegoers and staff.

"There was some very good racing and it was very exciting. There was a

really good atmosphere on the course. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

"We have got a really high-quality card for Ebor day and for the Tote Ebor, the richest handicap in Europe.

"Everyone is hoping for another big day and another big crowd. York has got a real buzz about it and it is just getting better and better at the

moment."

Updated: 12:03 Wednesday, August 20, 2003