POLITOLOGUE

Odds correct at time of printing FIVE fascinating facts about the Grade 1 JLT, formerly known as the Melling Chase

The event is named after Melling, a nearby village made famous by Melling Road

It often includes horses that ran in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Ryanair Chase or the Cheltenham Festival

Barry Geraghty is the most successful jockey with four wins – Moscow Flyer (twice) Finian’s Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre

Nicky Henderson is the leading trainer with three victories (Remittance Man, Finian’s Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre)

Five horses have won the race twice (Viking Flagship, Direct Route, Native Upmanship, Moscow Flyer and Voy Por Ustedes ONE lucky racegoer will return home with a Range Rover Evoque this evening. The prize is awarded to the winner of the Ladies Day Style Awards, basically the most stylish person at the racecourse, judged by a panel of experts.

Style is a difficult concept to judge. Personally, I find it difficult to determine whether some Aintree attendees are dressed for an opera or for an operation.

My own dress sense never goes out of style — it looks ridiculous year after year.

A male has never won the Style Award before and in the interests of equality I can see a lad taking the crown (and the car) today. One judge said she’s looking for, “someone who hasn’t spent a fortune and has their own unique, individual flair.”

This can only mean one thing to all men in attendance — wear a silly hat. You have absolutely nothing to lose.