Aintree presenter Leanne Campbell shares her Ladies Day survival guide

After more than 20 years as a presenter on Grand National weekend, Leanne Campbell knows all about what it takes to get the most out of race days at Aintree.

She’s seen – and experienced firsthand – the dos, the don’ts and the wish-you-hadn’ts.

Leanne is part of The Guide’s team again this year, so we asked her to give us some tips and share her Ladies Day Survival Guide …

Pace yourself – it’s a very long day!

Going to Ladies Day is like going to a wedding, and I’ve broadcast from hairdressers and seen girls getting ready having their first glass of champagne at 5am. When you start that early you really do need to pace yourself.

Most of the times I’ve been to Aintree I’ve been sober because I’m working, it’s only the times when I’ve gone socially that I’ve ever had a drink, but I can’t say I’ve never misjudged how much you can drink in the sunshine on race day. My advice, especially if you’re going for a Champagne breakfast beforehand, is definitely take it slow so you can enjoy what’s going on and you can always go into town afterwards.

Prepare for all weathers

Even when it’s sunny it can be quite windy at Aintree, so when you’re packing your bag and you’re thinking, do I put a pac-a-mac in or do I take my suncream? The answer is yes – take both! And if you can, factor in a blazer, coat or wrap because when you get there it can be freezing in the morning, roasting in the afternoon then cold again by the time you’re getting the train home.

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Don’t be tempted by sky-high stilettos

Years ago I’ve taken Ibuprofen every two hours just so I can keep my shoes on, but gone are the days when I’ll walk around in strappy stilettos because there’s so much to see and do you want to be here, there and everywhere. Don’t do it to yourself girls, make sure your feet are comfortable because otherwise it will ruin your day. Merseyrail are going to be at the station handing out flip flips as usual, but my tip would be avoid stilettos or flats in the day and go for a wedge for the best of both worlds.

Set your make-up in the morning

We’ve all been there where you come home like Aunt Sally when you’ve had a few drinks because you’ve topped up your lippy that many times and you just keep adding the bronzer on. If you can, get your make-up done professionally and then just add your own setting spray so you don’t have to think about it. L’Oreal do a brilliant one, Infallible Setting Mist, which is like hairspray for your face That’s my top tip, use it and won’t have to fix a thing, nothing is going to budge!

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Never go without a mobile phone power bank

You definitely need a fully-charged power bank when you go to Ladies Day because you’ll take so many photos, the last thing you want is your phone to die.

Just go and have a ball, because the atmosphere and the people you meet from all over the world is like nowhere else so take every moment to just enjoy it all.