Never a folly to pack your brolly for the races!
UMBRELLAS were the main accessory for the start of the Punchestown Festival yesterday – but ladies still reigned supreme for the Best Dressed competition.
The wind and rain didn’t seem to faze those battling to get their hands on the coveted prize, as the stylish attendees arrived at the Kildare racecourse in eye-catching attire.
However, there could only be one winner on the day, and the Best Dressed prize was taken home by Alex Butler, from Midleton, Co. Cork. The SuperValu manager caught the attention of the judges, as she wore a pattered pink dress over white trousers, and a matching pink headpiece.
For her win, the Cork woman took home a VIP trip for two to France, where she will visit Paris and the historic town of Reims in the Champagne region.
She also got her hands on other exclusive goodies, such as a €300 Topflight voucher, a Cocoa Brown Tan Luxury Hamper and a bottle of Bollinger Champagne.
Ms Butler is known for her race day style, as she was named Best Dressed Lady at the Galway Races in 2015. She is now through to the Grand Final, which takes place this Friday.
The Bollinger Best Dressed Lady Competition kicked off yesterday with Made in Chelsea star Rosie Fortescue and journalist Sophie White tasked to whittle the contests down to one winner.
Today’s competition will be judged by GAA star and Dancing With The Stars contestant Anna Geary and journalist Tríona McCarthy, while tomorrow’s panel will include RTÉ presenter Bláthnaid Treacy and Evoke.ie editor Sybil Mulcahy. The winner on the final day will be chosen by model Aoife Walsh, editor of Social and Personal magazine, PJ Gibbons, and Bastien Mariani of Bollinger Champagne.
Goes through to Friday’s final