Day 3 at Aintree: Coleen goes Greek Goddess ahead of Grand National

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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The future Mrs Wayne Rooney is at it again - this time turning heads in a Grecian-inspired outfit ahead of the Grand National and a style competition.

The annual style competition was delayed after judge Coleen McLoughlin was caught up in heavy traffic around the Aintree Racecourse.

Coleen, 22, the star of Coleen's Real Women wore a pastel Balenciaga Grecian-style dress with black Christian Louboutin shoes.

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Greek goddess: Coleen McLoughlin arrives for day three at Aintree

Greek goddess: Coleen McLoughlin arrives for day three at Aintree

Coleen presents Best Dressed Girl winner Anna Perez, 20 with the keys to a new car

Coleen presents Best Dressed Girl winner Anna Perez, 20 with the keys to a new car

The winner of the Best Dressed Girl competition was university student Anna Perez, 20, from Liverpool.

Anna was wearing a floral chiffon vintage dress which she bought for £70 from a friend's store.

Coleen said: "Anna won because she looks gorgeous and floral prints are really big this year. It is freezing today but sometimes a girl has got to suffer to be stylish."

And while the sun made an appearance at yesterday's event, race goers braved the cooler conditions ahead of today's main event.

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These smiling race-goers made an impression with simple yet elegant dresses

These smiling race-goers made an impression with simple yet elegant dresses

Race-goers make the most of the sunshine before the clouds rolled

Race-goers make the most of the sunshine before the clouds rolled

On the racetrack, joint favourite Comply or Die romped to victory.

The nine-year-old horse ran a superb race under the whip of jockey Timmy Murphy, roared on by the Aintree crowd.

Murphy waited with his mount until after the last and got a great response from the nine-year-old when he asked him to put his seal on the race.

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On parade: The Aintree fashionistas step out in a riot of colourful styles for Ladies' Day yesterday

On parade: The Aintree fashionistas step out in a riot of colourful styles for Ladies' Day yesterday

Fashion on the field: There was more colour in the race-goers' dresses than the jockeys' silks

WAGs in residence: Coleen in her short floral number and a monochrome Sheree Murphy arrive at Aintree Ladies' Day yesterday

WAGs in residence: Coleen in her short floral number and a monochrome Sheree Murphy arrive at Aintree Ladies' Day yesterday

Strong tailwind: One guest has a giggle as a gust blows through

Strong tailwind: One guest has a giggle as a gust blows through

In contrast to the miserly 6c (42f) forecast for today, glorious sunshine greeted racegoers yesterday for Ladies Day.

Yesterday Coleen looked appropriately sunny in a strappy blue and yellow floral Balenciaga dress.

The above-the-knee hemline was set off by diamond earrings, a diamond bracelet from Wayne and blue peep-toe Christian Louboutin shoes.

"I wasn't going to wear this," she said.

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Floaty fashion stakes: Flowing skirts and daring necklines

Floaty fashion stakes: Flowing skirts and daring necklines

Licence to frill: Alex Curran put on the style to attend the races at Liverpool's Aintree racecourse

Fashionistas: Alex and her pals pitched up at the races in a flurry of ruffles, fake fur and designer shoes

"But with the weather, I thought I would go a bit short. I went with all my mates and my mum and everyone at Aintree looks great. Everyone has made such an effort from the top to the toe."

Sheree Murphy, Liverpool footballer Harry Kewell's wife, was demure in a simple black frock, tights and matching shoes.

And she and Coleen looked positively restrained compared with some fellow revellers.

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Pretty in pink, orange and monochrome: These Liverpool lovelies certainly dressed for the occasion

Girly pink and floaty fabrics were the order of the day for these race-goers

Permed, primped and preened, these ladies were leaving nothing to chance - or the imagination.

Grand National fever has gripped the country with punters staking an estimated £250m on the big race.

And they were rewarded with a good showing as the notoriously unpredicatable British weather held, helping produce a fiercely contested race.

The race began with Comply Or Die saw out the trip well to see off King Johns Castle (20-1) by four lengths, while Snowy Morning and Slim Pickings took third and fourth respectively.

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Standing out from the crowd: Some of the outfits drew attention from the action on the track

Standing out from the crowd: Some of the outfits drew attention from the action on the track

These ladies went all out in high heels and even higher hemlines

These ladies went all out in high heels and even higher hemlines

Thirsty work: One celebrating race-goer, dressed in a leopard-print dress, sips a bottle of champagne while another bets on an Australian favourite

'I thought I would go a bit short' said Coleen of her Balenciaga dress

'I thought I would go a bit short' said Coleen of her Balenciaga dress

Rarely can so many horses have been in contention as the field approached the final few fences in the four-and-a-half-miler.

Having gone only a sensible pace, a number of the leading players, including Comply Or Die, Slim Pickings, Bewleys Berry and Chelsea Harbour, were all moving well with four to jump.

While King Johns Castle was just hacking in behind, it soon became apparent that Comply Or Die was the one going best of all as he jumped the penultimate obstacle alongside Snowy Morning.

Murphy was keen not to push the button too soon and sat still until going for home on the famous run to the Elbow.

At that point, Snowy Morning, who blundered at the last, looked to be staging a renewed effort as King Johns Castle also put his best foot forward.

However, Comply or Die was very game in front and picked up when required to see off the Arthur Moore-trained contender.

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Pick a winner: Coleen and Sheree had the task of choosing the best dressed from an eclectic mix of contenders

These race-goers were all about the colour, frills and heels

These race-goers were all about the colour, frills and heels

Frills and ruffles were in favour on the big day

Murphy, winning the race at the 12th attempt, told BBC Sport: "I can't believe it yet, it's the best ride I've ever had over these fences.

"He got into a lovely rhythm and he jumped fantastic, he picked up again when Paul (Carberry, on King Johns Castle) came at me.

"It's not sunk in, I'm delighted for David Pipe and my boss David Johnson (owner), it's a race he's always wanted to win."

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This scantily clad reveller appeared to be inspired by Xena: Warrior Princess

This scantily clad reveller appeared to be inspired by Xena: Warrior Princess

Pretty in pink, indeed: From fushia to rose, they had every shade covered

VIP enclosure: TV presenter Claire Sweeney, Coronation Street star Kym Marsh and Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton

VIP enclosure: TV presenter Claire Sweeney, Coronation Street star Kym Marsh and Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton

Cheers, tears and beers: Punters kept well refreshed as they watched the action trackside

An emotional Pipe said: "I can't really describe it.

"Gordon Elliott trained last year's winner and is a good friend, he was one of the first to come and congratulate me.

"It's great for everyone, for the whole team. We couldn't do any of it without them.

"I've had a great teacher in my father (Martin), David Johnson has been brilliant and Timmy gave him a fantastic ride."

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This duo took colour co-ordination to new heights

This duo took colour co-ordination to new heights

A group of pretty punters get into the spirit of things

Some guests abandoned conventional styles and dared to wear edgier numbers

Some guests abandoned conventional styles and dared to wear edgier numbers

Anything goes with ruffles, hats, bangles and beads

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