And they’re off! Fillies in fake tan, fascinators and flashy frocks descend on Aintree for the first day of racing action
- The opening day of the Crabbie’s Grand National Festival saw Liverpool’s finest descend on Aintree
- Leading the charge was local style icon, Coleen Rooney, who wore a hot-pink dress and matching heels
- Despite the chilly weather, strapless dresses, bare legs and open sandals proved popular with the style set
- The highlight of today’s on-course action is the Dominican Republic Handicap Hurdle at 5.45pm
By Ruth Styles
Published: 12:41 GMT, 3 April 2024 | Updated: 15:39 GMT, 3 April 2024
Resplendent in a rainbow frocks, eye-wateringly high heels and lashings of fake tan, Liverpool’s ladies were out in force as the first day of racing at Aintree kicked off.
But not everyone managed to pull off equestrian chic, with one racegoer photographed wandering around the course bare-foot before the first race had even begun.
Others appeared to have indulged in a bit too much champagne while having lunch and were pictured tottering around the course looking a little worse for wear.
Someone’s having fun! A racegoer appears to be a little squiffy after indulging in a drink or two while watching the action on the first day at Aintree
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Big day out: A racegoer in a blue and white frock has a vigorous conversation with friends while another takes the weight off her feet while watching the racing
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Did you get a winner? A thrilled racegoer celebrates a success on the racecourse with the help of a pint of beer and a nice spot of concrete to sit on
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Indulging: Racegoers enjoyed a drink or two while watching the action on the opening day of the Crabbie’s Grand National Festival at Liverpool’s Aintree racecourse
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Ouch! While high heeled platform shoes, a perennial favourite at Aintree, proved popular once more, not everyone could handle the pain of wearing them (right)
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Lady in red: A racegoer in an all-scarlet ensemble arrives for the start of the day’s racing
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Monochrome: A glamorous racegoer looks elegant in her black and white ensemble
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All white! Pale ensembles such as this one proved a hit with female racegoers at Aintree
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Entering the style stakes? Fake tan, fascinators and bare legs proved popular with racegoers arriving at Aintree for the first day of racing
But not everyone let the side down in either the style or sobriety stakes, with many of the 30,000 strong crowd looking glamorous in summer dresses, bare legs and open-toed sandals.
Just as popular were all-white ensembles, summer’s ultra-fashionable tribal print trend and glamorous scarlet dresses, although most racegoers seemed to have left their coats at home.
As always, female racegoers cranked up the glamour with plenty of fake tan, voluminous waves and elegantly manicured talons as they went for glory in the style stakes.
Leading the charge was none other than the city’s WAG-in-chief, Coleen Rooney, who plumped for a glamorous hot pink number, which she teamed with platform heels by Christian Louboutin and an elegant up-do.
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And they’re off! Smartly dressed racegoers sporting a selection of fabulous hats arrive for the first day’s racing at Aintree where the Grand National will take place
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Good humoured: A group of racegoers beam as they pose for waiting photographers while another group sashay past in their most glamorous garb
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Essential reading? A colourfully dressed woman arrives clutching a copy of the Racing Post
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Oh no! The wind appears to have gotten the better of this racegoer’s beehive hairstyle
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Keeping warm: Racegoers wearing coats and tights like this lady are a rare sight at Aintree
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Summer black: While the majority of racegoers plumped for colourful ensembles, some opted for summer’s all-black trend instead
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Bright: A racegoer sporting a bright lime-green dress and boxy black jacket and matching hat gives photographers a twirl as she makes her way into the racecourse
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Dressed for the weather! A racegoer ****ters under a polka dot umbrella while another stays cosy in a bright pink scarf and furry white coat
Joining Mrs Rooney on the opening day of the Crabbie’s Grand National Festival was Princess Anne, who looked elegant in black suede knee-high boots and a chic purple coat.
After inspecting the racecourse, the Princess Royal was later pictured shaking hands with the jockeys who, with their mounts, will brave the infamous Becher’s Brook during Saturday’s Grand National.
While Princess Anne was elegant, one racegoer who had dressed for the weather was presenter Claire Balding, who sported a typically practical sheepskin jacket and neat black slacks while covering the day’s action for Channel 4.
On the course, racing kicked off with the Injured Jockeys Fund 50th Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, which saw Paul Carberry on Guitar Pete see off a challenge from Davy Russell and Clarcam to take the £100,000 prize money.
Other highlights include the Red Rum Handicap Chase at 4.15pm, the Crabbies Fox Hunter’s Chase at 3.40pm and the last race of the day, the Dominican Republic Handicap Hurdle.
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Beige beauty: A lady strolls alongside the course at Aintree in a floor-length beige frock
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Cheerful: A lady attending the Aintree race meeting sports a jolly yellow and blue ensemble
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Belle in blue: A lady opts for a pretty cornflower blue ensemble for her day out at Aintree
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Enjoying the day: A sensible group of racegoers prove that you don’t need to get drunk to have fun as they giggle while quaffing from plastic cups of orange juice
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Brrrrrrrr! A lady clad in a crimson frock appears not to feel the cold – despite having bare legs
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Tribal: This lady clearly got the memo about exotic prints getting the catwalk seal of approval
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Pink lady: A glamorous racegoer teams her tiered black frock with a bright pink fascinator and heels
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Did you forget your coat? A pair of glamorous racegoers seem to be feeling the cold as they arrive for the first day’s racing at Aintree
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Pretty in pastel hues: Delicate lilac and blush shades also proved enormously popular with racegoers, as did sky high strappy heels
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Ready for action: A group of racegoers arriving at Aintree are glamorous in colourful lace dresses and an equally cheerful selection of straw fascinators
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Pretty: Many racegoers opted for delicate floor-length frocks like the one worn by this lady
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Flower power: Bold blooms proved a popular choice in the print stakes at Aintree
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Daring: One extremely hardy racegoer chose a floor-length backless dress, despite the chilly weather
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