Ladies Day at The Coral Scottish Grand National was hit with a washout – as rain-soaked spectators clutched windswept brollies on their way to the course on the first day of racing.
Umbrellas proved to be one of the most important accessory of the day, with the heavens opening over the Ayr racecourse in Ayrshire, Scotland.
But the wet weather couldn’t dampen spirits as revellers screamed and cheered on their horses while sipping on cocktails and dressing to impress.
Some braved the rain in bare legs, heeled sandals and thigh-skimming outfits while trying desperately to keep their elaborate headgear dry.
But the windy weather proved to be too much for some racegoers, who struggled to control their brollies – or worse, lost hold of their hats.
The annual event is one of the highlights of the Scottish racing calendar, but it’s not all about the action on the track.
Glamorous attendees dressed in plunging frocks and figure-hugging ensembles are hoping to catch the eye of the judges who will be awarding prizes for the best dressed.
Unlike Royal Ascot which adopts stricter rules on what to wear, the festival takes a more relaxed approach and tells attendees to ‘dress to impress with smart dress encouraged’ if they’re using the hospitality facilities.
For those in the Grandstand there’s no formal dress code.
The two-day event will culminate in the Coral Scottish Grand National tomorrow afternoon, where Kim Roque leads the 21-runner field.
The six-year-old is favourite with the sponsors for the four-mile contest at Ayr and is looking to get his nose in front for the first time this campaign.
Danny Mullins will be hoping to make it another family affair aboard Blaze The Way for his mother Margaret Mullins, who bypassed Aintree for the Scottish equivalent.
The jockey partnered Macdermott to victory in this race two years ago for uncle Willie, who went on to become British champion trainer that season.
‘He’s in good order, he jumped over Willie’s fences and I’m delighted with him,’ Margaret Mullins said.
‘We are happy. I wouldn’t be staying at home, I’m happy to be going. He’s a nice horse. He ran well at Cheltenham and in the Naas meeting as well, he got bumped into quite a lot, but I was happy.
‘We will give it a go, whether we are good enough we will see.’
King Of Answers is another prominent in the market after his impressive runner-up finish at Prestbury Park in the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase.
‘He stepped up from what he had done at Cheltenham,’ said Michael Scudamore, who trains in partnership with Lucinda Russell.
‘The slightly softer ground that looks likely on Saturday should also play to his strengths, he’s got a lot of weight to carry but he’s got that weight because he deserves it.
‘He’s had a nice freshen up since Cheltenham and he’s very well. He’s just improved and improved as the season has gone on, which is nice, and hopefully he can take another step forward on Saturday.’
Mark Walford’s Chasingouttheblues is aiming for a hat-trick during a brilliant series of results since the start of 2026.
‘He’s in great form. It’s nice to have a go for another decent pot with him,’ the North Yorkshire trainer said.
‘At the start of the season he probably wasn’t quite right – wasn’t in the best of form – but has really flourished this year and he just keeps going forward really.’
Kim Muir winner Ask Brewster goes for Catherine Williams as does second in that race Road To Home, who is Willie Mullins’ sole runner. Paul Nicholls’ Quebecois is another notable contender.
Joseph O’Brien has faith in Kim Roque’s stamina as he leads the 21-runner field for the Coral Scottish Grand National on Saturday.
