The style stakes were raised and history was made at The Randox Health Grand National 2019.

We couldn’t have possibly known what drama was to unfold as we excitedly set up shop at Aintree Racecourse on Grand Opening Day at Aintree Racecourse. Rain of biblical proportions turned into beautiful sunshine, a sea of rainbow coloured hats, dresses and suits, famous faces, effortless style and incredible scenes on the racetrack where history was made.

Our presenting team for the weekend, Jay, Kate, Gemma and Pete enjoyed every moment of being in and amongst the crowds finding out where you came from, what you wore, which horse you backed and why and most importantly, what you love about Aintree.

Jay joined the Style Award judging panel and made Sue Moon from Chorley a very happy lady, as well as interviewing some famous faces – including being gate-crashed by Olympian Sam Quek! Kate braved the Grand Opening rain to talk fashion with the first girls through the gates.

Our Gemma joined the best dressed guys and girls in the Red Rum Garden for a natter and made a cute four legged friend too! Speaking of four legged friends, we only went and got Pete Price on a horse and he got his super star selfie with a very famous LFC legend.

We saw many famous faces including Liverpool legend, Sir Kenny Dalglish alongside sporting pioneers Samantha Quek, Sir Anthony McCoy and local heroes John Barnes and Leon Osman. Graced with royalty, HRH Princess Anne and Zara Phillips Tindall joined the likes of BBC’s Dan Walker, ITV’s Alison Hammond and our very own Mersey Mouth, Lindzi Germain, soaking up the unparalleled Aintree atmosphere.

From a style point of view, the annual Ladies Day Style Award completely upped the stakes. More than 3,000 of you entered and eventually, one winner was chosen. Huge congratulations to Sue Moon from Chorley who proved that less is more. A Range Rover Evoque and a years supply of clothing from fashion partners, Chi Chi London goes off to Lancashire with a very shocked and emotional Sue.

Supporting local causes plays an important part of the Grand National Festival as both the Merseyside Mounted Police Charity, Stand Tall and Alder Hey Children’s Charity were on site throughout the festival. It was such a huge honour to meet Danielle from Stand Tall and 8 year old honorary jockey and face of Alder Hey, Daniel Bell ahead of the big race. What an inspiration!

More than 70,000 race-goers sold out Aintree for the big race itself as an already electric atmosphere reached fever pitch at 5:15pm. Not since the legendary Red Rum has a horse won a consecutive Grand National race, until today.

Together, Tiger Roll and jockey Davey Russel romped home, across all 30 jumps to take the £1m prize pot and make sporting history. There aren’t enough words to describe the Grand National atmosphere and experience, but one thing everyone agrees on is that it’s the people that make it.

If you’re ready for more, look no further as Jockey Club Regional Director, Dickon White chats with Jay about the plans for 2020, which begin…….tomorrow.

We’d like to say thank you and congratulations to everyone at Aintree Racecourse. Bar staff, stewards, officials, grounds staff, administrators, chefs, everyone, what an absolutely world class job you have done. The world was watching and you did Merseyside proud.

You can relive all the Grand National action here, including celeb interviews, all the fashionistas, Ladies Day Style Award action and much, much more.

We want to see all your amazing Grand National photos and videos from an incredible weekend at Aintree Racecourse. Drop us a line on  @TheGuideLpool on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and we’ll share the best on our socials. 

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