Ladies turn up style at Punchestown Festival

THE sun came out for the third day of the Punchestown racing festival as thousands more punters descended on the Kildare racecourse.

It was a special day again for trainer Willie Mullins, who emerged victorious in the €250,000 Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle with Faugheen and his nephew jockey David Mullins.

“That was just something else. It just shows the horse has the heart there,” said Mullins.

RTÉ presenter Bláthnaid Treacy, wearing a black jumpsuit with feather fringing, was asked to judge the style on show yesterday.

The ‘Can’t Stop Dancing’ presenter said she would like to see a soccer player take part on next year’s ‘Dancing With The Stars’.

“We’ve had two GAA players and a rugby player so I think it would be great to get a soccer player,” she said. “Damien Duff should do it.”

In the third round of the Bollinger ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition, stylish Helen Murphy form Co Clare picked up the award.

The mum-of-four and secondary school teacher wore a dress and belt by Niamh O’Neill, a headpiece by Michelle Kearns, a coat from Marks & Spencer, a bag from TK Maxx and shoes from Faith.

“I enjoy racing – my brother is interested in a few horses so I picked it up from him and I love the style,” she said.

A total of 20,204 attended, up 1,132 on last year.

Helen Murphy (right) from Cree, Co Clare, was the winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed Lady competition on day three at the Punchestown Festival in Co Kildare while Davinia (left, above) and Dawn Knight were a picture in white as they watched Faugheen...