'It's an experiment' - first day of Sunday Series met with mixed feelings

Nothing ventured, nothing gained was the overriding response of those at the heart of action as the new £600,000 Sky Bet Sunday Series started at Musselburgh.

The initiative devised to boost the fortunes of Sunday racing in Britain has generally been welcomed, with greater levels of prize-money and increased ITV4 exposure providing key opportunities for the sport.

Those sentiments were echoed on a gloriously sunny day on the east coast of Scotland as the first of three trial racedays was staged, with a series of bonuses tempting racing's participants too.