EvoV
Joined: 02 Dec 2003
Posts: 1421
Location: figueira da foz - Portugal
|
 Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 12:00 |
 |
|
Aintree gears up for its Ladies' Day of glamour
Ola 
More news :
LADIES' Day looks set to go off with a double dose of glamour today after record crowds turned out for the first day of the Grand National festival amid tight security at Aintree yesterday.
Ticket sales were up by almost 4,000 on the same day last year, with around 26,200 flocking through the turnstiles on what is traditionally the most popular day with more serious racegoers.
Around 600 people are expected to enter Aintree's second Looking Good fashion contest today - twice the number that braved the racecourse catwalk last year.Police search units mounted high visibility patrols throughout yesterday and specialist squads had earlier swept the entire course including canals at the rear of the track while racegoers were checked for weapons and alcohol.The infamous Becher's Brook lived up to its reputation as four horses fell at the jump on the only race over the Grand National fences, the Martell Cognac Fox Hunter's Steeplechase.No horses were injured, and RSPCA equine consultant David Muir said he was "delighted" with safety at the course.Among celebrities spotted in racecourse bars and boxes yesterday were Liverpool FC footballer Stephen Gerrard, snooker player John Parrot and Manchester City players Steve MacManaman and Robbie Fowler.Other big names expected over the weekend include Liverpool footballer Michael Owen and manager Gerard Houllier. Comedian Johnny Vegas, model Jodie Kidd, actor David Jason, and Jamiroquai frontman J Kay are also expectedMore than 47,000 racegoers will join in the festivities today , including 600 men and women expected to enter the Looking Good contest.Last night, 300 hopefuls had registered to walk down the catwalk, the same number that entered last year's inaugural competition. An additional 300 are expected to register this morning.The first prize, a Jaguar X-Type Estate worth over £23,000, will be presented to the "most stylish racegoer" at 3.30pm.Judges include Echo and the Bunnymen frontman Ian's McCulloch's wife, Lorraine McCulloch, from Wade Smith.Event organiser Vicky Collins, from PR firm Finch, told the Daily Post: "We will be looking for somebody wearing the perfect outfit for a day at the races, we are not looking for the best Gucci or Prada."She explained: "Aintree have recognised that Ladies Day is not just about the racing, it has become a lifestyle event. "It is also a fantastic opportunity, after Liverpool's Capital of Culture win, to show the world how stylish people in this city really are."The fashion show is based on Australia's "Fashions on the Field" competition, which has been running for 40 years at the Melbourne Cup in November. It now attracts more than 1,750 entrants - many from professional model agencies, and a sponsorship of around $1m.
http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0200sport/0200racing/tm_objectid=14109732&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=aintree-gears-up-for-its-ladies--day-of-glamour-name_page.html
Tanks!
_________________
hooked up |
|
Editorial
Search
Memberlist
Register
Profile
Private messages
Log in
