SCOTLAND'S biggest race meeting of the year is well under way at Ayr - and the crowds were out in force.
Day one of the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival is known as Ladies' Day, with plenty of eye-catching outfits always on show.
All the first day on Friday required was a much-needed, and long-awaited, break in the cold, wet and windy weather.
And the meteorological gods duly obliged, with sunshine and blue skies gracing the racecourse and the race-goers - at least for part of the afternoon - even if the temperatures still had something of the winter chill about them.
More than 80 horses were under starter's orders for Friday's eight races, with Derek Fox taking the first win of the day aboard the Lucinda Russell trained Primoz at 15/2 in the Remus Uomo Handicap Hurdle at 1.20pm.
In the final race of the day, the 5/1 shot Presenting Nelly took the honours in the GS Group 'Hands and Heels' Handicap Hurdle, the third win of the afternoon for Warwickshire-based trainer Dan Skelton.
And the action steps up a gear on Saturday, with the Coral Scottish Grand National at 3.35pm the star attraction on another eight-race card that also includes the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle and the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase, the latter getting the action under way at 1.15pm.
For a full preview of Saturday's action, and expert tips, click here.
(All photos by Charlie Gilmour)
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