After weeks of preening and outfit preparation, glamorous racegoers amped up the style stakes on Friday as they descended on Aintree for day two of the three-day Grand National Festival.
Pulling out all the stops in thigh-skimming frocks, plunging necklines and sheer ensembles, revellers put their best fashion foot forward in an effort to take home the coveted best-dressed Ladies Day award.
And racing fans certainly gave judges a tough job as they arrived in a flurry of precarious heels, statement hats and dramatic dresses.
Early arrivals at the racecourse in Merseyside, set the bar high, putting on a glamorous display in figure-hugging lace outfits and colourful fascinators.
More than 150,000 racegoers are expected over the three-day festival, which hosts the showpiece Grand National on Saturday afternoon, when around £250 million is expected to be gambled on the race.
Organisers at The Jockey Club said crowds for the first day of racing topped 28,000, up 22 per cent on last year, while more than 45,000 usually descend on Aintree for Ladies Day.
Unlike Royal Ascot which adopts stricter rules on what to wear, the festival takes a more relaxed approach and tells attendees to simply come ‘dressed to feel your best’.
And while Cheltenham is all about the tweed country looks, Aintree is its more risqué cousin – and the looks on display this morning certainly lived up to that assessment, with many racegoers opting for mini dresses and off-the-shoulder frocks.
Thrice as nice! Three ladies showcase their glamorous ensembles as they arrive for Ladies Day
Upping the style stakes! Ladies put their best fashion foot forward today in an effort to win the best dressed award
Hat’s the spirit! A racegoer showcases her very flamboyant headpiece as she attends the second day of the Grand National festival
Commanding attention in their racy numbers, revellers went all out in figure-hugging dresses, sheer attire and lacy looks as they flashed the flesh for their big day out.
One guest today donned a sleeveless, body-hugging white frock with a sheer train, and another opted for a yellow lace gown.
A third glamorous racegoer sported a tight scarlet gown while a fourth brightened up the grey skies in a glittery pink dress.
Fancy dress for racegoers is also allowed, as long as the costume isn’t offensive or derogatory.
Yellow appeared to be a theme of the day, as glamorous racegoers brought the sunshine in off-the-shoulder frocks and halterneck dresses.
The festival, which this year takes place from Thursday April 9 to Saturday April 11, is one of the biggest events in the global sporting calendar.
It is also broadcast live to a television audience of around 800 million people worldwide.
The Grand National on Saturday, known as the ‘people’s race’, includes 30 fences to over two laps, making it the longest horse race in Britain.
Pretty in pink! A racegoer puts on a classy display in a full-length gown with cape detailing
Following the withdrawal of last year’s winner Nick Rockett on Thursday, 2024 champion I Am Maximus is likely to go into Saturday’s race as the favourite of the 34 declared runners.
The Willie Mullins-trained thoroughbred won the feature race two years ago and came in second to stablemate Nick Rockett last year.
He is aiming to be the first dual winner since Tiger Roll, who won back to back Nationals in 2019.
