Winners in the style stakes! Aintree racegoers defy the rain and chilly temperatures as they don plunging dresses with VERY daring hemlines on day one of the festival
- Day 1 of the three-day Aintree Grand National Festival 2019 in Liverpool kicked off on Thursday morning
- An array of cheery racegoers were pictured arriving in colourful ensembles and their trademark headgear
- Women braved the plummeting temperatures to put on a head-turning display for the annual festivities
- This year £1.5million has been invested in the event and the grounds to help protect the welfare of horses
- The annual event, in its 180th year, will host the showpiece Grand National race on Saturday afternoon
It may not have the high society sheen of Royal Ascot, but today the ladies of Liverpool proved they can more than hold their own in the style stakes as they got the Aintree Grand National Festival 2019 off to a glamorous start.
Arriving at the three-day event in a flurry of towering heels, plunging necklines and thigh-skimming hemlines, they proved that chilly April temperatures are no barrier when it comes to fashion.
Some were seen doing battle with the elements, however, as revellers struggled to hold on to their umbrellas and covered their heads with their coats to prevent their perfectly coiffed hair being ruined.
More than 150,000 are expected at the three-day meeting, which is in its 180th year and hosts the showpiece Grand National race on Saturday afternoon.
The first guests brought with them a splash of colour, boasting bare arms and floral red ensembles, posing as they prepared for a day of festivities.
The first guests brought with them a splash of colour, boasting bare arms and floral red ensembles, posing as they prepared for a day of festivities. Left to right: A lady opted for a thigh-skimming dress with an asymmetric neckline; Another guest went for a plunging neckline; A third racegoer stood out in a white mini dress and dramatic red hat; One guest went all out in a pink and gold ruffled mini-dress
What a display! These three women certainly brightened up a dreary day in their array of blue, red and floral ensembles - with one lady even teaming her hair to her dress
Let the festivities begin! Glamorous guests kicked off day one of Aintree Grand National Festival 2019 in an array of head-turning ensembles on Thursday, braving the frosty April temperatures in a show of towering heels, plunging necklines and thigh-skimming hemlines
Getting the party started! A high spirited reveller showed off her dance moves in the bar, while sporting a stylish black and white monochrome dress
Later in the day the relieved guests were seen taking cover inside, enjoying a tipple as they watched the progress of the races unfold
I whip my hair back and forth! This reveller was certainly in the party spirit as she turned the bar area into her own dancefloor
Scarlet appeared to be the theme for the first arrivals, with one guest opting for a red floor-length dress with a high-low hemline and coordinating black accessories, while another went for a red floral dress and matching satin clutch.
Their companion opted for a more demure black jumpsuit, warding off the chilly temperatures.
Meanwhile another woman was seen arriving in a bright orange jumpsuit and sensible heels, wrapping up with a black wool coat as the pre-drink temperatures proved too much to bear.
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And ladies sporting more risque ensembles soon started to arrive, with one lady rocking a dramatic red hat and white mini-dress, while another went all out in a pink and gold ruffled tutu-style frock.
Elsewhere asymmetric necklines and high-low hemlines were on show, with the common theme of killer heels sure to leave the ladies with aching feet by the end of the day.
And some guests opted for retro chic in Bardot-neck dresses, polka dots and oversized headgear, braving the windy conditions as they posed for pictures.
Nude platform shoes and matching accessories appeared to be the underlying trend of the day, with the ladies letting their frocks take centre stage.
The windswept look: Gusts of wind added volume to these brave racegoers who emerged looking fabulous as ever despite the breezy conditions - with one using the dramatic conditions as a backdrop for a perfect pose
Couple goals! Left: A proud gentleman gave his glamorous girlfriend a run for her fashion money in Gucci loafers and a checked suit as she struggled to hold her peach tutu inspired frock - which she matched with a pair of designer sandals- in place; Right: A well-preened couple remained in good spirits despite the weather
Feeling merry! A group of high-spirited revelers got the party going as a crowd of suprised men looked on in the background - perhaps hoping to get in on the fun
Hold on to your hats! Two brave ladies threw caution to the (gusty) wind and opted for white floral dresses with plunging necklines and soaring hemlines, teaming their summery looks with nude shoes and matching accessories, while another wore red
Surprise guest Princess Anne was seen looking cheery as she arrived in a green wool coat and matching hat, shielding herself from the rain with an umbrella.
Pregnant Beth Tweddle was also seen arriving at the racecourse, dressed in a summery red dress by Traffic People emblazoned with a bird pattern, which she teamed with flat sandals and a white blazer and envelope clutch.
The 33-year-old retired British artistic gymnast, who tied the knot to finance director Andy Allen (pictured) last June, is eight months pregnant with their first child.
Meanwhile male race-goers put on a safer display, rocking their best three piece grey suits and navy outfits - with some pushing the boat out in tan-coloured shoes.
Elsewhere other racegoers opted for more traditional race attire, with some couples spotted wearing matching tweed skirt and trouser suits and sensible boots, with tweed another theme of day.
Some attendees opted for faux fur and tasteful floor-length maxi dresses as they mastered the art of dressing for the unpredictable British weather.
Princess Anne beamed at the cameras, bringing an upbeat note to the gloomy day as she wrapped up in a scarf and gloves for the chilly temperatures
Elsewhere guests braved the cold and bared their legs in patterned dresses. Seen left: A woman opted for a floral ruffled thigh-skimming dress despite the chilly day, while - seen right- another attendee went for a plunging monochrome dress and killer heels
A group of glamours racegoers showed off their colourful array of outfits, opting for pastel tone suits and dresses, short ruffle multi-tier dresses, sheer blouses and dramatic headgear
Glamorous girls! One woman, left, opted for a powder blue dress which she teamed with nude heels and coordinating headgear, while another teamed a daring red dress with a cosy cardigan (centre), and a third wore mint-coloured dress with impressive platform heels
Pregnant Beth Tweddle was seen arriving on day one of the 2019 Grand National Meeting at the Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. The retired gymnast opted for a summery red dress by Traffic People emblazoned with a bird pattern, teaming it with flat sandals and a white blazer and envelope clutch
Don't get your heels stuck! This group of ladies put on a monochrome display in their black and white coats and coordinating umbrellas
Not raining on their fashion parade! Three women stayed in high spirits as they donned disposable ponchos over their monochrome ensembles
While Aintree may not have the royal touch Ascot does, it certainly holds its own in the fashion stakes when it comes to flashing the flesh.
As well as killer heels, thigh-skimming dresses and plunging necklines, the event is famous for its display of flamboyant headgear.
Soldiers of the Irish Guards were seen marching through the grounds as day 1 of the Grand National Festival 2019 at Aintree Racecourse kicked off.
Tomorrow, day two of the event three-day event, is famously Ladies Day, where female racegoers get out their best outfits and put on an array of daring displays, with the 'best-dressed' receiving the coveted award.
According to racecourse bosses, there's no strict dress code for the festival as there is for Royal Ascot.
Celebrity spots! Love Island's Chris Hughes looked dapper in a checked three-piece suit while singer Laura Wright was seen performing during Grand National Thursday of the 2019 Randox Health Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, wearing Amada Wakeley
Cheers! Elsewhere other racegoers opted for more traditional race attire in fedora hats, tweed suits, sensible boots and checked trouser coats
Prom ready! Two women certainly turned heads, opting for pale coloured strappy satin frocks, carefully contoured make-up and nails that matched their outfits as the posed for pictures
A touch of turbulence? A group of glamorous guests battled inconvenient gusts of wind as they debuted their best outfits on the Aintree runway
Grand National Festival 2019 at Aintree - Day 1 saw an array of racegoers dressed in their best glad rags descending on the racecourse
Guidance on the course website reads: 'Although there is no official dress code, smart is preferable and is often adopted.
'Aintree is a spectacle of colour throughout the year, with many using their trip to the racecourse as an opportunity to showcase their favourite raceday outfits. Hats are optional too, but are frequently worn.'
Fancy dress and 'offensive clothing' also make an appearance on the list of banned items this year.
However, in recent years event organisers have been trying to encourage a more conservative approach.
In 2015, an optional 'style code' was released in an effort to smarten up the event and encourage more sophisticated fashion.
The guide was devised by fashion writers from Vogue and Tatler in conjunction with Justine Mills, owner of Liverpool designer boutique Cricket - a favourite with WAGs such as Coleen Rooney.
Wrapping up! Other attendees opted for faux fur and tasteful floor-length maxi dresses as they mastered the art of dressing for the unpredictable British weather
Turning heads in red! The first arrivals brought a splash of colour in red floral dresses and killer heels, along with trademark headgear, seen left and right
Left to right: Red was the theme for these eager early birds, with one guest (left) opting for a red floor-length dress with a high-low hemline and coordinating black ensembles, while another went for a red floral dress and matching satin clutch (right). Their companion opted for a black jumpsuit (centre)
Twinning in checks! Elsewhere other racegoers opted for more traditional race attire in tweed, sensible boots and checked trouser and skirt suits
It was inspired by the Coco Chanel quote: 'Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.'
At the time, John Baker, the northwest regional director for the Jockey Club, which owns Aintree, said he hoped to help give the event a facelift.
Security officials were seen making stringent security checks on Thursday morning ahead of day one of the much-anticipated racing event.
Racegoers have always been subject to strict security procedures brought in after the IRA bomb scare in 1997, with only small handbags allowed to be brought into the event.
Not the make-up! One savvy lady kept her hair and make-up intact by covering her head with a newspaper - emerging looking flawless
Battling the elements! Unfortunate racegoers fell victim to strong gusts of wind - struggling to keep their umbrellas and hair in check
One woman ditched the heels for flip flops and donned a transparent cape as she used a bit of Dutch courage to brave the windy conditions
You still look great! Three women didn't let a little wind get in the way of their appearance as they placed transparent ponchos over their outfits and continued with their day
Upbeat! These glamorous guests reached for their umbrellas and raincoats to continue their day of festivities on the gloomy day
One woman kept smiling as she placed her coat over head and held her ticket inscribed with the rather apt message 'the world is watching'
Taking it in good spirits! Despite the less than ideal weather for the glamorous day, women were seen putting transparent disposable ponchos over their ensembles and continuing their glamorous displays
Little White Riding Hood! One lady looked ethereal in a pearl and feather encrusted dress as she shielded her immaculate make-up from the rain in a nude coloured hood
Later in the day the relieved guests were seen taking cover inside, enjoying a tipple as they watched the progress of the races unfold.
Racegoers were seen letting their hair down as drinks flowed and the betting floor was transformed to a makeshift dance floor for some cheery guests.
Bets will be placed on the top racehorses getting in on the action, including Clan Des Obeaux and Bristol De Mai in the Betway Bowl.
Chivalry isn't dead! A gentleman in a well-cut waistcoat and crisp shirt was seen holding a blazer over his partner's head in an attempt to shield her grey ensemble from the rain
Hold on to your brollies! Guests were seen battling to keep hold of their umbrellas as they made a glamorous arrival
One woman kept her smile as the wind bluew up her brolly and her hair, however she appeared to be in good spirits
Wrapping up! Others opted for more sensible attire, with one lady going for a coordinated fuchsia ensemble and matching scar, left, and another keeping it classy in a beautifully cut black dress and matching head piece, covering up in a camel coat
More than £1.5million has been invested in trying to protect the welfare of horses, following the recent deaths of horses Sir Erec and Invitation Only at Cheltenham, which sparked animal welfare protests.
Aintree has said it has ensured the safest ground is available to be raced on at all times, regardless of the weather and climate conditions.
The grass is cut to precisely four inches for the whole circuit to provide plenty of cushion. Even the species of grass, make-up of the soil and measured watering is considered to ensure the ground is safer for horses to run on while the take-off and landing areas around the fences have been created with greater spring in the ground.
Jockey Leighton Aspell, who won successive Nationals in 2014 and 2015, said: 'There are two things particularly that have changed for the better. Firstly the core of the fences is now much softer and safer and secondly the bypass of the fences, particularly for the loose horses. Every year, Aintree takes another step in the right direction.'
Veterinary teams assess the health of horses as soon as they arrive to certify they are safe to race and not a danger to themselves or other horses.
Take cover! A lady is seen in a pretty blue summer frock, left, covering her head with a coat, while another woman, right, wore a brown polka dot dress and used her blazer to cover her face from the rain
Racegoers watch horses warm-down following the first race on the opening day of the Grand National Festival horse race meeting at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool
Keep smiling! Two ladies watched the races from the sidelines with a cup and paper straws in hand, not letting the dreary weather getting in the way
Popping bottles! Racegoers enjoyed respite from the conditions during the Grand National Thursday of the Randox Health Grand National Festival 2019
Here come the boys! Male race-goers put on a safer display, rocking their best three piece grey suits and navy outfits - with some pushing the boat out in tan-coloured shoes
Soldiers of the Irish Guards were seen marching through the grounds as day 1 of the Grand National Festival 2019 at Aintree Racecourse kicked off
Security officials were seen making stringent security checks on Thursday morning ahead of day one of the much-anticipated race event
A soldier of the Irish Guards with an Irish Wolfhound was seen standing in the soon-to-be packed stadium on Grand National Thursday of the 2019
A security officer was seen using a scanning device to check the underneath of a car arriving ahead of day one of the big day
Pictures show general views of the opening morning of the Grand National festival at Aintree, Liverpool
A sign warns visitors to look out for galloping ahead of the big day. Pictures show general views of the opening morning of the Grand National festival at Aintree, Liverpool
Visitors were seen having their bags checked as they arrived to kick of day one of the Grand National Festival 2019
A sign warns guests of the prohibited items, which include large bags, flags, flares and long lens cameras. Fancy dress and offensive clothing are also on the list of banned items
Making it rain? A group of racegoers cheered on the horses from the sidelines and appear to have had a flutter on the horses
More than £1.5million has been invested in trying to protect the welfare of horses, following the recent deaths of horses Sir Erec and Invitation Only at Cheltenham, which sparked animal welfare protests
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