Strutting their stuff! Ladies Day at Aintree gets off to a VERY stylish start as revellers don their most fabulous frocks and fascintators in a bid to be crowned Best Dressed
- Day 2 of the three-day Aintree Grand National Festival 2019 in Liverpool kicked off on Friday morning
- An array of cheery racegoers were pictured arriving in colourful ensembles and their trademark headgear
- Women were seen wearing their best outfits in attempt to win the coveted best-dressed Ladies Day award
- This year £1.5million has been invested in the event and the grounds to help protect the welfare of horses
- The annual event, in its 180th year, will host the showpiece Grand National race on Saturday afternoon
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On Thursday the ladies of Liverpool braved plummeting temperatures, high winds and persistent rain as they got day one of the three-day Aintree Grand National Festival 2019 off to a glamorous start.
And on Friday the guests continued to up the style stakes as they descended on the annual festival in even brighter boucle jackets, ever-plunging necklines and higher hemlines than the previous day.
The impressive displays were part of an effort to win the coveted best-dressed Ladies Day award, and racegoers certainly gave judges a tough job as they arrived in a flurry of precarious heels, statement hats and dramatic dresses.
More than 150,000 are expected at the three-day meeting, which is in its 180th year and hosts the showpiece Grand National race on Saturday afternoon.
On Friday the guests continued to up the style stakes as got Aintree Grand National Festival 2019 off to a glamorous start. Left to right: A guest turned heads in red; a style maven took the theme of the day quite literally, and looked chic in beige jodhpurs, knee-high boots, a flat cap and a black blazer; Two ladies went for pretty floral frocks
Looking alright in white! One group of ladies looked fabulous in bridal inspired ensembles as they opted for the monochrome look for day two of the three-day Aintree Grand National Festival 2019 in Liverpool
Let’s hope it doesn’t rain! An array of women were seen opting for the all-white look, with strapless bodices, trumpet sleeves, frilly frocks and more reserved dresses on display, left to right
One group of ladies looked fabulous in bridal inspired ensembles as they opted for the monochrome look for day two of the three-day Aintree Grand National Festival 2019 in Liverpool.
An early bird couple were seen arriving at the venue in their best attire, with the female racegoer matching her pink heels to her dramatic dress, teaming it with a white blazer and wide rim hat.
Elsewhere a trio of women were seen arriving in coral-coloured ensembles with pretty fascinators, layering up to ward off the April chill.
One style maven took the theme of the day quite literally, and looked chic in beige jodhpurs, knee-high boots, a flat cap and a black blazer as she posed alongside her dapper partner, dressed in a tweed jacket and waistcoat.
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Meanwhile A group of ladies injected a splash of colour to the dreary day as they arrived in a flurry of bright dresses, polka dots and head-turning hats.
TV presenter Alison Hammond was also seen among the first arrivals, bringing a splash colour in a cobalt blue cardigan and matching dress.
Presenter Charlotte Hawkins was seen arriving in a Rachel Trevor Morgan hat, a cobalt blue coat by Hobbs, a matching dress by Fallon K, and shoes by Steve Madden, styled by Debbie Harper.
Thursday saw a few celebrity guest appearances as well as royal racegoers, with Zara Tindall and Princess Anne enjoying the races.
Elsewhere pregnant Beth Tweddle also made an appearance, while Love Island’s Chris Hughes was spotted alongside Sam Quek, who performed a song.
Ladies in blue! TV presenter Alison Hammond was also seen among the first arrivals, bringing a splash colour in a cobalt blue cardigan and matching dress, left, while a fellow racegoer continued the blue theme as she posed with an umbrella, centre, and presenter Charlotte Hawkins was seen in a cobalt blue coat by Hobbs, matching dress and shoes by Steve Madden
A group of ladies injected a splash of colour to the dreary day as they arrived in a flurry of bright dresses, polka dots and head-turning fascinators
Smelling like roses! Three ladies brought a spring feel to the dreary day in an array of floral dresses and brightly coloured shoes as they posed by a flower wall
While Aintree may not have the royal touch Ascot does, it certainly holds its own in the fashion stakes when it comes to flashing the flesh.
As well as killer heels, thigh-skimming dresses and plunging necklines, the event is famous for its display of flamboyant headgear.
Soldiers of the Irish Guards were seen marching through the grounds as day 1 of the Grand National Festival 2019 at Aintree Racecourse kicked off.
Day two of the event three-day event, is famously Ladies Day, where female racegoers get out their best outfits and put on an array of daring displays, with the ‘best-dressed’ receiving the coveted award.
According to racecourse bosses, there’s no strict dress code for the festival as there is for Royal Ascot.
Guidance on the course website reads: ‘Although there is no official dress code, smart is preferable and is often adopted.
‘Aintree is a spectacle of colour throughout the year, with many using their trip to the racecourse as an opportunity to showcase their favourite raceday outfits. Hats are optional too, but are frequently worn.’
Fancy dress and ‘offensive clothing’ also make an appearance on the list of banned items this year.
Wrapping up! Elsewhere others made sure they layered up in wrap coats after Thursday proved to be a washout for many ladies who quivered their day through day one of the races
In high spirits! A group of colourfully dressed ladies are pictured at the Randox Grand National meeting, Aintree racecourse,Liverpool
Ladies in red! Elsewhere two women injected a splash of colour in scarlet coloured dresses and matching floral inspired headpieces
Early birds! Three glamorous guests were seen arriving in coral-coloured gowns and pretty fascinators as they posed for pictures before the masses arrived
However, in recent years event organisers have been trying to encourage a more conservative approach.
In 2015, an optional ‘style code’ was released in an effort to smarten up the event and encourage more sophisticated fashion.
The guide was devised by fashion writers from Vogue and Tatler in conjunction with Justine Mills, owner of Liverpool designer boutique Cricket – a favourite with WAGs such as Coleen Rooney.
It was inspired by the Coco Chanel quote: ‘Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.’
At the time, John Baker, the northwest regional director for the Jockey Club, which owns Aintree, said he hoped to help give the event a facelift.
Security officials were seen making stringent security checks on Friday morning ahead of day one of the much-anticipated racing event.
Racegoers have always been subject to strict security procedures brought in after the IRA bomb scare in 1997, with only small handbags allowed to be brought into the event.
Bets will be placed on the top racehorses getting in on the action, including Clan Des Obeaux and Bristol De Mai in the Betway Bowl.
More than £1.5million has been invested in trying to protect the welfare of horses, following the recent deaths of horses Sir Erec and Invitation Only at Cheltenham, which sparked animal welfare protests.
Aintree has said it has ensured the safest ground is available to be raced on at all times, regardless of the weather and climate conditions.
The grass is cut to precisely four inches for the whole circuit to provide plenty of cushion. Even the species of grass, make-up of the soil and measured watering is considered to ensure the ground is safer for horses to run on while the take-off and landing areas around the fences have been created with greater spring in the ground.
Jockey Leighton Aspell, who won successive Nationals in 2014 and 2015, said: ‘There are two things particularly that have changed for the better. Firstly the core of the fences is now much softer and safer and secondly the bypass of the fences, particularly for the loose horses. Every year, Aintree takes another step in the right direction.’
Veterinary teams assess the health of horses as soon as they arrive to certify they are safe to race and not a danger to themselves or other horses.
An early bird couple were seen arriving at the venue in their best attire, with the female racegoer matching her pink heels to her dramatic dress
Security officials were seen making stringent security checks on Friday morning ahead of day one of the much-anticipated racing event
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