Fashionistas play the field in Kildare

Walking into Punchestown racecourse yesterday afternoon, it felt a little like turning up for the afters at a wedding — you know there are good times to come, but that the main event has been and gone.

This year’s festival started on Tuesday with a record crowd turning out in splendid sunshine to witness the once-in-a- generation chaser, Sprinter Sacre, strut his stuff on this side of the Irish Sea.

But day two kicked off to leaden skies as winter took yet another vengeful swing before retiring.