10.03.10 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

Fashionistas to Show Off Their Style At Aintree Races

The most glamorous race-goers in the country are under starter’s orders for the John Smith’s Grand National’s annual Style competition.

The John Smith’s Grand National meeting takes place between April 8th and 10th and organisers are urging people to start thinking about their glad rags and handbags now.

Style spotters will select the most chic people throughout days one and two of the meeting to go forward into the competition, with Liverpool Style icon Coleen Rooney announcing the overall winner on Saturday ahead of the prestigious Grand National race.

International fashion designer Jeff Banks will be among those on the look out for race course glamour.

He said: “Race-goers love nothing more than planning an outfit and pulling out all the stops for a glamorous day out at the races.

“It’s amazing the effort a lot of people go to at Aintree every year and we get so many fabulous entrants that it makes it difficult to select just one.  I think the enthusiasm with which people embrace the contest proves what many of us have said for years: the ladies at the Grand National are amongst the most fashion conscious women.”

The winner will bag a selection of top prizes including a Kia Venga car worth £12,000, a 10 day all inclusive Almond Resorts holiday to Barbados for two people and star treatment at a photo shoot at a top London studio.  They will be styled by professional hair and make-up artists and directed by Banks.  They will also receive VIP entry to the races on Grand National day.

There will also be a selection of spot prizes awarded on Thursday including a stunning Boodles Raindance diamond ring worth £7,500 and a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes from Cricket owner Justine Mills.  Banks and a style spotting team will search the course for the most stylish race-goer that day.

Banks added: “This is one of my favourite dates of the year.  I love to watch the girls making such a superb effort.  Some of them are just fabulous.  They all need to start thinking about their outfits now, however, and remember my top tips: make sure you’re comfortable and go for glamour.”

Emma Owen, marketing and PR manager at Aintree racecourse, said: “The Style contest is the hottest date on the calendar for many race-goers and no doubt some ladies, and even men, may be already planning their outfits.

“The Grand National is all about enjoying a fantastic day out and we would like to reward those people who take time to look their best with a selection of amazing prizes.”

The Style 2010 in association with Matalan contest will see entrants take to the catwalk in a specially created style enclosure on the Friday in front of a panel of judges.  The enclosure will also feature Matalan’s Fashion Doctor for those last minute hitches and thousands of fabulous goodie bags for race-goers who sign up for a Matalan reward card free of charge.

Prizes are also on offer for those who pre-register for the Style contest, go to http://www.aintree.co.uk/style2010 and for more information.