Grand National glamour at Aintree

Ladies Day at the Grand National meeting brought the best out of these girls and Kate Lightfoot (right)

The John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree... world-renowned as one of the best horse racing meetings you’ll find. Gamblers and non-gamblers alike annually don their glad rags and attend the three day meeting, usually in record-breaking numbers.

This year was no exception.

There’s something about the course, something
about the atmosphere, something about just being
there that compares to no other, and that’s even
before the first race has started. To kick-start the
day, the ‘best-dressed’ competition was decided,
with the eventual winner, Samantha Marsh,
walking away with the keys to a brand new
Citroen C-Crosser.

The racing then finally got underway at 2pm,
with waves of people turning out to watch it.
However, you can’t help but feel that the horse
racing is considered as an added bonus to
racegoers attending the Friday meeting, as most of the day’s emphasis seems to be focused on simply having a good time.

This has always been the case with Ladies Day and no-doubt will continue to be, for years to come.

There was also live entertainment throughout the day in the Equestrian Centre, come beer hall, which acts as a place for people to gather before, during, and after the racing had finished, along with countless numbers of bars and mobile pubs on offer.

On the whole, you couldn’t have asked for any more. The sun was shining, everyone was happy and it was exactly what was expected. Bring on next year’s Grand National!

Even the lads make an effort to get dressed up for the Grand National week at Aintree