Handbags and horror shows at ladies day

Showbiz scribes John and Elissa with Jeff Banks

Style guru Jeff Banks had the mammoth task of finding the most fashionable race goer at Aintree yesterday.

Thousands of women turned out dressed to impress for the annual ladies day event hoping to scoop the horde of prizes worth a whopping £35k.

Yet it seemed some ladies had not only broken the rules of style but rather completely destroyed them.

Some brazen beauties adopted acres of fake tan, florals and feathers in an attempt to catch the eye of several style spotters who were roming the grounds.

But they only succeeded in taking tackiness to dizzy new heights.

Girls wobbled around on their 6-inch platform shoes, gaudy handbag on one arm and bottle of Lambrini in the other.

Eye-popping cleavage and flabby flesh was out for all to see in garb that would have looked more at home in an Amsterdam nightclub than at the side of the racetrack.

Any thoughts of chic, panache or elegance had evaporated along with their good taste instead the women tried to wear as many colours as possible all at the same time.

There were also some revolting prints on display which ranged from the downright dreadful to something like your Nan's old curtains, neatly topped off with garish feathers poking out of their backcombed hair.

All credit to Jeff and judges Nicky Hamilton Jones, Cricket owner Justine Mills and wags Coleen Rooney and Sheree Murphy who had the tough job of plucking out some diamonds from the rough.

They managed to whittle thousands of unsightly wannabe winners down to just five respectable hopefuls, who will go head to head in a fashion show at today's Grand National event.

Fashionista Jeff admitted that even though some girls don't necessarily look the best, he is always impressed by the amount of effort they go to.

Jeff said: "It is so much fun judging and hosting this event.

"What I love about Liverpool is that everyone makes the effort whether they look good or not.

"Some girls spend months planning their outfits and it really shows.

"It's such a shame that some of the real beauties, with real style don't often enter the competition.

"They say they are too shy or they have no confidence, or simply can't be bothered.

"But the prizes are excellent and everyone should get involved."

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