Amy races ahead in Punchestown style stakes

A butterfly flutters its wings and a tree falls, or in this case, a water pipe bursts on a bank holiday Friday and in Punchestown the chosen 10 for the Land Rover Most Stylish Award are forced to endure an anxious wait for Amy Huberman to arrive with the prize.

The actress and author held the keys to a Range Rover Evoque in her stylish bag, but her transport was caught upin the chaos on the N7.

An obliging garda was dispatched to rescue her.

Almost an hour later than originally planned, the finalists, chosen by model Roz Purcell and weather presenter Nuala Carey, were lined up on the stage awaiting the announcement of their fate. The title of most stylish lady went to Naas woman, Emer Flanagan, who only picked up her headpiece at the track yesterday.

Roz Purcell said the judges were looking for “the most stylish woman here who is sophisticatedly dressedand race-appropriate”.

The winner, who was given the keys to a new Range Rover Evoque by the brand’s ambassador, Huberman, certainly was dressed to keep the cold out in a camel-coloured coat from BT2, a navy dress purchased in the sale at Brown Thomas for her engagement party last December, and a navy fedora from the McSharry hats stall in Punchestown.

“I’m delighted. I’ve never won anything before and I’m kind of in shock. Roz came over to me and asked me to enter. I’ve an 02 car at home so I’m happy to upgrade,” said the delighted winner, who will wed Philip Mather next summer.

Leinster and Ireland rugby stars Rob and Dave Kearney and Sean O’Brien were among those revelling in the party atmosphere as Punchestown reverberated to the beat of samba drums.

The temperatures were more Arctic circle than Copacabana beach, but that did not deter the fashion-conscious.

They suffered for their beauty as goosebumps broke through the fake tan on bare legs.

The cloakrooms and loos across the track had the feel of a suburban bedroom on a Saturday night as gaggles of girls crammed into cubicles and peered into every available mirror, making those essential last-minute touch-ups that could possibly make all the difference in the eyes of the judges.