Dedicated followers of fashion and racing return for Aintree meeting
THEY DRESSED to impress on Merseyside yesterday as racegoers flocked back to the first day of the Grand National meeting for the first time since 2019.
Last year’s meeting at Aintree was held behind closed doors and it was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Crowds returned for the traditional Ladies’ Day gathering yesterday, and even the wet and blustery weather could not dampen the spirits as Liverpool’s finest donned their best hats and most glamorous outfits for one of the most eagerly awaited days in the horseracing calendar.
The festival will welcome more than 150,000 people over the three-day event.
Yesterday saw thousands of dolled-up punters pile through the gates, most without coats and wearing summery dresses, lace jumpsuits and open-toed sandals, not entirely appropriate for the cold conditions.
The drizzle didn’t dampen die-hard racegoers’ spirits either and while umbrellas were as popular as fascinators among the crowds, punters painted on their best smiles for the cameras.
The world famous annual festival is expected to see more than £25m to be wagered by Brits fancying a flutter, with the highlight, Saturday’s Grand
National, the most bet on horse race of the year. Last year Ireland’s Rachael Blackmore made history as the first female jockey to win the Grand National and again partners Minella Times for the four-mile two-anda-half furlong race on Saturday.
Sir Alex Ferguson was smiling in the Aintree winner’s enclosure after his horse Clan Des Obeaux successfully defended his crown in the Betway Bowl.
He said: “He’s a 10-year-old now and he’s been the most successful horse I’ve had.”
He’s 10 now and he’s been the most successful horse I’ve had. Sir Alex Ferguson on Clan Des Obeaux which won a race at Aintree yesterday.