Thousands of race goers wrapped up against the Salisbury Plain chill for the Royal Artillery Point to Point races on Saturday.

In a rare, wind and rain free day on the plain, 82 horses were entered for the seven races.

The day, a social event as much as a sporting one, kicked off with a charity side saddle dash with four horses going full tilt around the Larkhill race course.

The record crowd turned a £7k gate receipt, and saw Ineos - the new Land Rover pretender - sponsor its first of the seasons’s meets.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Larkhill Point to PointLarkhill Point to Point

The Defender look-y-likey attracted a lot of attention from the country set rural crowd.

One farmer was overheard asking: “How many dead sheep do you reckon I could fit in the back!”

The horsey crowd seemed impressed with its ‘unfussy’ and ‘basic’ interior.

“It looks like you could hose down the boot - which is brilliant,” said one.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Larkhill Point to PointLarkhill Point to Point

Tailgate picnics are also the order of the day at any Larkhill Point to Point.

Champagne and posh sausage rolls were on tap - with a level of one upmanship on the picnic baskets from Harrods and Fortnum and Masons.

“It’s bloody freezing up here,” said one picnicer. “So we brought some mulled wine to keep the chill out!”