New crowd level

RICHARD EDMONDSON NAP: Call My Guest (Cheltenham 2.15) NB: Easy Buck (Cheltenham 5.15)

With an attendance of 42,875, yesterday's crowd was a record for the the first day of the National Hunt Festival. This year's figure was up from 36,580 in 1994, an increase of 17.3 per cent. Edward Gillespie, managing director of the course, said: "The attendance today was wonderful. That is the paying crowd and it will increase when we add in the annual members and complimentaries.

The Tote reported an increase in turnover of £237,182.75 up 16 per cent on last year's figure of £1,443,489.60.

Lady Lloyd Webber's chaser Raymylette, a Festival winner last year, died on Monday during an operation for intestinal problems. He had figured prominently in betting on the Gold Cup.

Yesterday's results and today's other cards, page37