CHEPSTOW Racecourse's first evening meeting of the season pulled in a record summer crowd of 9,000 last night.

The number was almost three times the normal attendance and had course officials beaming in delight.

"We had 20% growth in attendances last year," said racecourse manager Steve Clare, "and so far this year we are well ahead of that figure.

"The course is booming and when all the remaining changes are completed it looks like being a massive success. A crowd of 9,000 is almost a Welsh Grand National crowd. It's fantastic."

The massive boost was largely down to a promotion with Coors Breweries, whose customers in Wales and the West were given entry to Tattersalls, a free £2 bet with the Tote, a can of beer and a burger all for just £10.

"It's been a tremendous success," said Coors managing director for the region, Martyn Cozens. The meeting itself was dominated by champion jockey Keiron Fallon who pulled off an 11-1 double on Firebelly and Willoughby's Boy.

Firebelly was a comfortable one and a quarter lengths winner of the EBE/Jim Brown 70th Birthday Novice Stakes. Once the 6-4 favourite saw daylight at the furlong pole she strode away.

"She's not Listed class (like last year's winner Tout Seul) so we won't get too excited," said trainer Mark Wallace, "but she's a grand filly and we should find a nice nursery for her."

Fallon stole the Knight Frank Handicap Stakes by a length on 4-1 shot Willoughby's Boy by sending the six-year-old on over two furlongs out to hold the late challenge of 7-2 favourite Pay The Silver.

Surprisingly Fallon was well beaten aboard 5-2 on favourite Rich Affair in the Grolsch Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

John Dunlop's John Egan-ridden 9-2 chance Largo put an eighth of nine run in a Listed race at Lingfield behind her to score in runaway style.

There was a finish of necks and heads in the Nuttall Handicap Stakes with the Mick Channon-trained and Steve Drowne-ridden Dayglow Dancer (12-1) prevailing.

"We were always just holding them," said Drowne. "He wasn't suited by the track but he's a great battler."

Results: 6.30: 1 Firebelly 6-4 fav; 2 Just One Look 16-1. 7.05: 1 Dayglow Dancer 12-1; 2 Young Alex 9-2; 3 Amnesty 5-1. 7.40: 1 Largo 9-2; 2 Rich Affair 2-5 fav. 8.10: 1 Willoughby's Boy 4-1; 2 Pay The Silver 7-2 jt fav; 3 El Pedro . 8.40: Glistening Silver 25-1; 2 Kenley Lass 20-1; 3 Neitral Night 50-1. 9.10: 1 Devon Flame 14-1; 2 Stagnite 11-1; 3 Karaoke King 11-4 fav.

* Pictured, Keiron Fallon on Firebelly passes the winner's post in front of Just One Look in the Jim Brown Novice Stakes at Chepstow