This year's Punchestown Festival is proving to be a resounding success, with Friday's attendance bettering last year's corresponding total.

This year's Friday's attendance was 28,664, which is 72 more people than attended last year.

Taking into account the difficulties experienced by travellers from overseas, including America, the Festival organisers have done very well.

The Tote had a great day with the aggregate figure rising from €873,759 last year to €1,130,486. Up €256,727.

The bookmakers figure was down, however, seeing a drop from €2,599,403 in 2009 to €2,200,954 this year. A fall of €398,629.