Published: Friday, 26th June, 2009 2:55pm

Ascot is odds on winner

by Lauren Everitt

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A SEA of colour and fashion was on show as thousands of people turned out for most popular day at the races.

Nearly 70,000 visitors wove their way through the gates at Royal Ascot last Thursday for Ladies Day with ladies being given the opportunity to show off huge hats and stunning fascinators.

Jaymey Thornton from Winkfield visited the Royal Meeting for the first time last week with her friend Amelia Harding.

She said: 'I loved being able to dress up in smart and stylish clothes.

'It has been such an amazing experience and we will definitely be coming again next year.'

The in-colours for the meeting seemed to be rosy reds and vivacious violets.

Bracknell-based Pamela Myles got off to a winning start by taking £3.50 in the first race on Radiohead. She said: 'I can"t believe I won something. I don"t normally win anything.

'It wasn"t much really and I hadn"t even realised I had won anything until my friend pointed it out to me.'

Other groups of friends enjoying a day out were Katy Hook, Filipa Harris and Laura McCallum from Wokingham.

Miss Harris said: 'I have been before but Laura and Katy haven"t so I wanted to bring them along and experience the atmosphere here.

'The last time I came was before the grandstand had been rebuilt so it was great to see it in all its glory.

'People have said the races and atmosphere are not as good as before but I think it"s much better.'

Tasty hats ranged from giant Quality Streets to one made entirely out of marshmallows and a huge ice cream cone complete with flake.

A number of the creative hats were handmade including a trio of women whose hats were made by their friend Jo Head which were made out of fresh flowers.

Mrs Head attended the racecourse with Christine Lovett and Lesley Burt from Christchurch. She said: 'I"m actually a florist by trade but I wanted to try my hand at making hats and fascinators.

'We"re lucky the rain held off otherwise the oasis would have got waterlogged and weighed Lesley down.'