Racegoers braved the rain and wore their finest to attend Aintree’s Ladies Day.

A plethora of ponchos, coats and umbrellas were added to outfits during a rainy afternoon, which started soon after the gates opened at the second day of the Randox Grand National Festival on Friday.

“Bring a brolly!” was the advice of 19-year-old Bethany Tinsley, when she was asked if she had any tips for the races.

Despite the miserable weather, spirits remained high among racegoers, which included some familiar celebrity faces.

Former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan said: “I can’t believe the weather, but you’ve just got to embrace it.

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“I think that’s actually really nice when you come here that all the girls are really dressed up, and even if it’s pouring down and it’s miserable weather, it’s like a northern spirit that you just get on and still have a nice time.”

Other famous faces at the racecourse included Olympic Gold medallist Sam Quek and boxer Natasha Jonas, who took part in the Grand Women’s Summit, as well as former Formula One champion Sir Jackie Stewart, who founded the festival’s official charity partner, Race Against Dementia.

This year, the formal dress code was removed by The Jockey Club, which runs the racecourse, as part of a bid to make horseracing “accessible and inclusive”.

Despite a more informal dress-code, there was still a £5,000 prize for the winner of the racecourse’s 2023 Style Awards, which this year went to doctor Sian Jones, from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

“I don’t like to say it’s a mistake to relax the dress code but people look forward to dressing up and there aren’t enough opportunities for it,” said 56-year-old Gill Carpenter, from Lydiate, who had made her outfit herself.

While Darren Ellis, 51, who wore a checked three-piece suit, added: “I’m a mechanic for a living so I like to get scrubbed up to come here.

“I wouldn’t want to turn up in a T-shirt and jeans.”

The race meet will culminate on Saturday, when the world-famous Grand National steeplechase will take place. This year, activists from Animal Rising have threatened to stop the race.

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