GALLOPING horses with fearless jockeys raced in front of thousands of spectators on the warmest day of the year so far.
The annual point-to-point in High Easter, near Chelmsford – held on the same day as the Grand National – was met with brilliant sunshine.
About 4,000 spectators gathered on Saturday to place their bets and watch the amateur racers gallop around the three-mile course.
The event, now in its 21st year, always draws a crowd but this year was particularly well attended.
Among those enjoying the day out was Lorraine Page, 45, from Great Totham, and her sons Jack and Harry, aged 12.
She said: "This is the first year we've come here.
"We got the tickets from my boss, so it's new to us but it's been great."
Nick Church, 25, from Thaxted, came to the point-to-point with a group of friends.
He had been unsuccessful with his bets so far but was keeping his fingers crossed for the Grand National which was shown on a big screen at the event between races.
He said: "We try to come here every year with a group of us. It's always good fun."
Emma Millroy, who travelled al the way from York, had been more lucky with her bets and had picked the winner in the ladies open race.
She said: "I only put on a pound though so don't think it will be very much."
The afternoon of seven races included two pony races which kicked off the event at 1pm and were followed by the horses.
The first and second race saw ponies with junior jockeys aged nine to 15.
Simon Marriage, who organises the event with the Essex Hunt, said: "There is a good number here today and that has been helped by the weather.
"We also have 64 horses competing, the highest number in ten years – this is helped by the fact that the ground is just right.
"It has been soft and now it's drying out. In other years it's been hard or too soft so hasn't been in such a good condition as today."
