Birds of a feather frock together for fashion stakes

BIRDS of paradise, exotic orchids, flora bunda - in the scented surrounds of Anthony Ryan’s marquee they gathered, one more lovely than the next.

A hothouse of flowers, they arranged themselves prettily for the judges, the ladies who put themselves forward as the Galway Races’ best-dressed.

Be-feathered, be-flowered and bedecked, they twirled and pirouetted, a riot of colourful couture. The judges were all in a dither, as hard-pushed to pick a winner as the punters out on the track. Finally, the announcement came in tandem with starter’s orders for the Guinness Galway Hurdle.