Fashion-conscious racegoers adapt themselves to the rainy conditions at Aintree

Grand national:

Stylish racegoers accessorised with umbrellas as the rain failed to dampen spirits at Aintree’s Ladies Day.

Punters vowed not to let the wet weather ruin the event as they gathered for the second day of the famous race meet in Merseyside.

Sophie Gatliff, 27, who came up from London with friend Lydia Unwin, 24, for the racing said: “Once we have a glass of champagne we’ll be fine.”

Ms Unwin said the weather was disappointing but added: “We’re going to get over that, I’m sure.”

The pair both wore bright colours, with Ms Unwin in a green dress with fascinator and Ms Gatliff wearing a wide-legged jumpsuit with yellow pattern. Ms Unwin said: “I think it’s a really fun day just to dress up and you know you can wear things a little bit more extravagant, that you wouldn’t otherwise get to wear, so I just went for colour.”

Carole Cooper, 59, from Wigan wore an emerald green dress which she had made herself.

She said: “It’s my favourite colour and I know green is in this year. We’re not going to let the rain put us off.”

Her husband Jim, 61, said: “It’s always fabulous – Ladies Day, Aintree, the whole meeting – it’s just brilliant.”

Other trends on the racecourse included neutral shades and floral patterns, with some female racegoers favouring trousers over traditional dresses.

Charlotte Wilson, 24, from Burnley said she had gone for “neutral glam” in a beige off-the-shoulder dress and fascinator, while friend Maddie Stevenson, 20, went for a “red classic dress”.

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You know you can wear things a little bit more extravagant, that you wouldn’t otherwise get to wear