AND THEY'RE OFF

Aintree revellers get into the party spirit for the Grand National as racegoers down booze & brave freezing temperatures

Alex Winter

Published: 1:18, 8 Apr 2022
Updated: 2:26, 8 Apr 2022

RACEGOERS let their hair down as they partied at the Grand National today for the first time in two years.

The prosecco was flowing as revellers returned to Liverpool's Aintree Racecourse for the world-famous meeting, which was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid.

Revellers returned to Aintree Racecourse for the Grand National today - and there were some very high spirits — Revellers returned to Aintree Racecourse for the Grand National today - and there were some very high spiritsCredit: JOHN MATHER/IMAGE VIEW

The weather has been miserable, with plenty of rain and highs of just 10C, but it didn't stop visitors from wearing their party best — The weather has been miserable, with plenty of rain and highs of just 10C, but it didn't stop visitors from wearing their party bestCredit: BackGrid

It all got too much for one man, who had a lie down on the carpet after spilling on his shirt — It all got too much for one man, who had a lie down on the carpet after spilling on his shirtCredit: JOHN MATHER/IMAGE VIEW

Two friends beamed as they rested their painful feet — Two friends beamed as they rested their painful feetCredit: AFP

It's the first time the races have taken place in two years after Covid struck — It's the first time the races have taken place in two years after Covid struckCredit: AFP

Visitors cling to their fascinators as they arrive at the course — Visitors cling to their fascinators as they arrive at the courseCredit: PA

And while the day may have started off with glamour and class, by the time the evening rolled out, guests were ready to slip off painful high heels and loosen their ties.

Race fans were seen celebrating big wins - or drowning their sorrows after backing the wrong horse.

One man was seen sprawled on his back on the floor of a bar while a laughing friend snapped a photo of him.

Two blonde ladies threw some very enthusiastic shapes on their own makeshift dancefloor.

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Meanwhile, a suited and booted reveller was seen joyously leaping on his friend as the festivities wore on.

Princess Anne was among the racegoers who appeared delighted to be back at the racecourse today.

Sadly, she didn't appear to be a guest at any of the wild and boozy parties.

The Princess Royal came prepared for the poor forecast, donning a forest green jacket and a burgundy hat for the occasion.

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Temperatures reached just 10C and there were blustery winds and drizzle.

However, the weather didn't stop attendees wearing their party best.

Ladies were spotted in little dresses, sky-high stilettos and jumpsuits.

Most decided to leave their coats at home to better show off their outfits.

Over the course of the three-day festival, 150,000 people will enjoy the best that Aintree has to offer.

A whopping £25million will be spent on bets and 20,000 glasses of bubbly will be downed, fuelling the atmosphere.

Away from the track, 500m people in more than 140 countries are expected to tune in.

The biggest competition - the 30-jump handicap steeplechase - takes place on Saturday.

And in cheering news, the weather should improve.

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Met Office forecasters say it'll be mostly sunny tomorrow, with highs of 9C, although showers will return in the afternoon.

Saturday will be bright too, with no rain predicted for the big race.

As the evening wore on, one lady swapped her heels for flip flops before taking to the dancefloor — As the evening wore on, one lady swapped her heels for flip flops before taking to the dancefloorCredit: JOHN MATHER/IMAGE VIEW

She was quickly joined by others who enjoyed the music — She was quickly joined by others who enjoyed the musicCredit: JOHN MATHER/IMAGE VIEW

A suited and booted man celebrated what appeared to be a big win by leaping on his friend's back — A suited and booted man celebrated what appeared to be a big win by leaping on his friend's backCredit: JOHN MATHER/IMAGE VIEW

One girl appeared to be carrying a bottle under her arm as she watched the action — One girl appeared to be carrying a bottle under her arm as she watched the actionCredit: JOHN MATHER/IMAGE VIEW

A lady got a lift from a friend as festivities got under way in a bar — A lady got a lift from a friend as festivities got under way in a barCredit: JOHN MATHER/IMAGE VIEW

Princess Anne was among those to attend - although sadly she didn't join in with the dancing — Princess Anne was among those to attend - although sadly she didn't join in with the dancingCredit: PA

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