SPECTATORS have expressed their delight at seeing jump racing back in Hereford. 

Organisers were hopeful that between 3,000 and 4,000 people would watch the horse racing at Hereford Racecourse this afternoon- but the official figure topped this at 4,501. 

And people travelled from around the county and further afield to go the first jump race day in Hereford since December 16, 2012. 

Edward White, from Ledbury, said: "I think it is excellent. It is just a nice day- a nice setting. 

"It is nice to see so many people here and, being from Ledbury, it is nice to have our local course back open again."

Barbara Lawrence and Mike Edwards travelled from Gloucester to watch the racing. 

Barbara said: "We came to the last meeting and we just hoped they would get it going again."

Mike said: "We had visions of people building houses on it and it disappearing. Now it is back again and that's brilliant."

They said it is much more reasonably priced than other racecourses.

Derek Hayward from Ross-on-Wye said: "It is great to have racing back in the county and not having to travel too far to watch a good bit of racing.

"I hope they keep the standard up. I have lived in Ross all my life and it is the first time I have ever been to Hereford races."

Sue Newman and Paul Starkowsky travelled from Stratford-upon-Avon and said it took one hour to drive the last mile. The traffic backed up along Holmer Road down to Edgar Street as racegoers made their way to the course. 

Paul said: "I wasn't happy when it closed. I don't like to see racecourses close- especially a nice country one like this."

Margaret Llewellyn, Francis Bull, Kay Parry and Paul Harris were four of 33 people who travelled by coach from Tredegar, south Wales. 

Margaret said: "It is lovely to be here. There are so many people here, otherwise you have got to travel to Ascot or further away."

There was a protest at the entrance to the course by Hereford Animal Protection League. 

Tim Berkeley, from the league, said they believe horse racing is cruel and is not getting any better.

He said: "The horses are not treated as well as they would have you believe- there is too much death, too much cruelty and too much drugs. We think it is a cruel practice."

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