GREAT Yarmouth Racecourse attracted its largest crowd for more than seven years as it staged its annual Sunday meeting yesterday.As well as the horse racing, the event is always a family fun day with children and mascots taking part in their own races on a sunny afternoon at the Norfolk racecourse.

GREAT Yarmouth Racecourse attracted its largest crowd for more than seven years as it staged its annual Sunday meeting yesterday.

As well as the horse racing, the event is always a family fun day with children and mascots taking part in their own races on a sunny afternoon at the Norfolk racecourse.

The attendance exceeded 7,500 people, which was also an increase of one third on the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.

Racecourse debutant and 11-4 favourite Decorative made easy work of taking the opening EBF & Lowestoft Journal Maiden Fillies Stakes.

The Great Yarmouth Mercury Handicap provided Ela Gorrie Mou with her first every victory at odds of 8-1 - as well as a quick double for jockey Philip Robinson. Likewise, the EDP 2 Handicap was a first win for 7-2 market leader Choisharp.

The last time Aajel (9-2) was seen on a racecourse was when winning the Victory Vase at Great Yarmouth's Eastern Festival two years ago. He returned to racing action, and won the Roy And Joan Tanner Memorial Handicap.

Rider Philip Robinson completed his hat-trick when Sixties Swing (8-1) was awarded the Eastern Daily Press Claiming Stakes in place of the favourite Strong Storm because of interference close to the finishing line.

Lady Hestia (11-8 favourite) took the Jobs 24 Handicap - a double on the day for jockey Richards Hills and trainer Marcus Tregoning following Aajel's success.

The closing Betfair Apprentice Training Series Handicap went to Pretty Officer (7-2 joint favourite), another horse winning for the first time ever.

The next racing at Great Yarmouth Racecourse is the annual three-day Easter Festival between Tuesday 15 and Thursday 17 September. Online booking of tickets is at www.greatyarmouth-racecourse.co.uk.

The Eastern Festival is the racecourse's feature meeting of the season, with top quality horses, jockeys and trainers in attendance. There are special three-day admission badges available at �36 for the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure and �54 for the Premier Enclosure which offer savings on the gate prices.

The racing is enhanced by a large external viewing screen.