THREE days of racing at Cartmel were the perfect test for the venue's new grandstand.

General manager Charles Barnett declared the races held last Wednesday, Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday - a success, and said sunny weather and canny marketing had seen Monday's attendance figures hit nearly 21,000.

"Monday's attendance figures were a big increase on last year about 4,000 up," he said. "The crowd on Saturday was just about the same as last year so we were quite pleased with our first effort."

Racing was held in the evening for the first time on Saturday and the weather chose to be kind.

The morning had been rainy but, by mid-afternoon, the sun was shining over a warm and friendly racecourse.

Entertainment during the afternoon included displays by Cumbrian Falconry, an on-course hound trail, a fun fair and trade stands.

The course's new grandstand was blessed by the Bishop of Penrith, the Rt Rev James Newcome.

Dickon Knight, agent for Holker Estates, explained the grandstand, which cost more than £1.5 million, was built primarily to improve the integrity facilities', such as the jockeys' changing room, the weighing room and stewards' room.

The old grandstand had been built piecemeal' and those facilities had been far from ideal.

A decision was taken to knock the old building down. Demolition began straight after the August 2003 meeting and now Cartmel had spanking new facilities', according to Mr Knight.

There was a new corporate hospitality area, with a restaurant and splendid views of the parade ring and racecourse, which would also be used for other functions, such as conferences and wedding celebrations, throughout the year.

The grandstand's terracing now provides more space for spectators to view the racing.

There was plenty of excitement for them to experience during Saturday evening's sunshine with two of the races going to photo finishes.

On-course betting appeared brisk with plenty of visitors studying the racecard and having a flutter.

One horse bolted prior to the start of the fifth race and galloped one-and-a-half circuits of the course as his jockey attempted to get him under control. The horse eventually ran down the finishing straight and the good-humoured crowd gave it and its rider a rousing cheer as it went past.