Charlotte Dawson made a glamorous entrance at the Aintree Grand National Festival in Liverpool on Thursday, captivating onlookers in a stunning pink dress while sharing public displays of affection with her fiancé, Matt Sarsfield. The 33-year-old television personality looked radiant in her race-day attire, which featured a plunging sweetheart neckline, a corseted bodice, and a pleated maxi skirt with a daring thigh-high slit.
Fashion Highlights at the Festival
Charlotte's ensemble was perfectly coordinated, with pink pointed court heels adding height and a matching mini Hermès handbag holding her essentials. She completed the look with a pink fascinator and gold-toned jewellery, exuding elegance and style. Meanwhile, her 34-year-old fiancé, Matt, looked sharp in a grey blazer paired with matching trousers, joining Charlotte in a loved-up display that drew attention from cameras and fans alike.
Aintree's Fashion Scene
The Grand National is renowned for its bold fashion statements, and the first day of the festival did not disappoint. Eager revellers began streaming through the gates of the Merseyside course from 11am, dressed to impress in mini dresses, feathered fascinators, and thigh-skimming ensembles. Unlike the more conservative tweed looks of Cheltenham, Aintree embraces a risqué aesthetic, with many attendees opting for plunging frocks and sheer attire.
Yellow emerged as a popular colour theme, with glamorous racegoers donning off-the-shoulder and halterneck dresses to bring a touch of sunshine to the event. One woman turned heads in a plunging black maxi dress with a deep V-neckline and thigh-high split, while another showcased her figure in a white mini dress with statement sleeves. The festival's relaxed dress code encourages attendees to come "dressed to feel your best," allowing for creative and daring outfits without the strict rules of events like Royal Ascot.
Celebrity Attendance and Festival Details
Famous faces are a staple at the Grand National, with regular attendees like Coleen Rooney and Helen Flanagan expected to join the festivities. The three-day festival, running from Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11, is one of the biggest events in the global sporting calendar, attracting around 150,000 people to Aintree each year. It is broadcast live to a television audience of approximately 800 million worldwide, highlighting its immense popularity.
The Grand National on Saturday, known as the People's Race, holds a special place in British culture, drawing attention across the UK like no other horse race. As the world's greatest steeplechase, it covers about 4 miles and 2 1/2 furlongs, featuring 30 fences over two laps. Although it remains the longest horse race in Britain, it was slightly shortened to move the start line away from grandstands, reducing false starts and enhancing safety for jockeys and horses.
Racing Highlights and Competitors
On Saturday, I Am Maximus leads a maximum field of 34 declared runners, aiming to emulate Red Rum's historic feat of winning, losing, and regaining the Grand National title. Red Rum's victories in 1973, 1974, and 1977, along with second-place finishes in 1975 and 1976, set a legendary standard. Willie Mullins' I Am Maximus, who won two years ago and placed second in 2025, seeks to become the first dual winner since Tiger Roll, sporting cheekpieces for only the second time since December 2022.
Mullins also fields Grangeclare West, last year's third-place finisher, with Patrick Mullins riding, while Tom Bellamy picks up a dream spare ride on the defending champion. The festival's fashion and racing excitement continue to draw crowds, with Love Island stars like Lucy Quinn and Hannah Olivia Kenyon adding to the glamour in sheer lemon lace dresses and designer outfits from Holland Cooper.
