BUMPER crowds of more than 18,000 flocked to sun-drenched Ayr Racecourse for the hugely popular three-day William Hill Ayr Gold Cup meeting. writes Stewart McConnell.

By far the busiest day was Saturday, when 10,500 turned out for Gold Cup day.

Some 10,500 turned out to watch Angel Alexander, a 28-1 outsider triumph in the Gold Cup.

Golden Apollo, trained by Tim Easterby won the William Hill Silver Cup amid cloudless skies and unseasonal temperatures of 23C.

Revellers sported a host of highly colourful outfits, with one wearing a total rainbow outfit, another dressed head to toe in orange and a colourful range of hats were on show.

Ayr Racecourse Head of PR Iain Ferguson was delighted with how things went.

He said: “We enjoyed three fabulous days of weather and the Festival was a great success A huge percentage of those who attended will return next year. It was a tremendous atmosphere.”