Ascot's ladies bring out their sunshine outfits to give flagging numbers a boost

Changeable weather did nothing to dampen the fashion flair of most female racing fans, who dressed for sunshine.

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TV presenter Carol Vorderman said years of experience at the races with her late friend and co-presenter, Richard Whiteley, had taught her to bring a coat.

But she still cut an elegant silhouette in a soft cream Chloe cover-up over a deep coral Celine sundress, in case the sun decided to show its face.

Dame Kelly Holmes brought the sunshine with her in a yellow and black backless Izzy Miyake number.

She said: "It is my first time at the races but I'm backing a horse called Sergeant Cecil because his jockey is wearing yellow and black like me, and I used to be a Sergeant in the Army, so that's got to be a good omen."

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Model Jodie Kidd, wearing a feathered circular straw creation, were spotted making their way to the Royal Enclosure.

The Queen and Prince Philip more were sensibly dressed for the rain and both arrived wearing practical beige mackintoshes.

But is was Her Majesty's hat on which the punters' attention was fixed. Those who rejected the favourite earlier in the week of pink in favour of a more classic shade will have been happy to see her arrive in a cream and brown combination.

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Organisers will be hoping that what is traditionally the busiest day of the five-day meet attracts a bumper crowd to make up for lacklusture crowds on earlier days.

Following the 20-month redevelopment of the course, which opened in time for last year's meet, Ascot management put in place a £10 million remedial project this year to iron out design problems.

On the first day of this year's event, crowd numbers dropped by more than 1,400 to 40,191 and organisers admitted some people might have been put off by problems with the new stand.

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