First past the post

This is the dilemma that women race-goers have been toying with as they have been coming up with outfits to attend the various Ladies' Day race meetings throughout Yorkshire over the past two or three months.

Many attend in the hope that they will be picked out by judges combing the enclosures and hospitality areas, handing out invitations to join a select group of chosen finalists in the winners' enclosure to compete for the title of Best Dressed Lady Race-goer.

But there's more, because the winners of each of the nine Ladies' Days across Yorkshire all go through to the Grand Final Ladies' Day to compete against other for the title Yorkshire Lady Race-goer of the Year, which for 2010 takes place tomorrow at Doncaster. Liz Akroyd was runner-up this year at Wetherby, wearing a black and white outfit, and then was chosen as outright winner at Ripon in a stunning oyster satin one-shoulder ruffled Karen Millen dress, which cost 180, teamed with a fabulous asymmetric matching hat, also 180, made for her by Felicity's Hats, in Hull. Liz, who has her own designer boutique in Hull, Passion Pour La Femme, won last year at Thirsk, while on a wedding anniversary visit with her husband, David.

"You get a taste for it," she says. "You never get the opportunity to dress up usually. I think you've got to find something eye-catching but subtle. Have style as opposed to busy-ness." But not according to one of her rivals, this year's York winner Kelly Ewing. "Have everything matching and really over the top," she says. "I even sew matching bows on to my shoes."

Leeds-based fashion designer Kelly, 30, made last year's Grand Final winning outfit worn by Natalie Fowler. Usually Kelly is too busy making dresses for others, but this year, she decided to squeeze in her own surprise entry, running up her outfit in a few hours, while her friend Elizabeth Parker, a York milliner, made her hat (she also made Natalie's winning hat last year).

So which will win – subtle or flamboyant? The field is wide open for this year's Ladies Day Grand Final tomorrow at Doncaster. As the Doncaster finalist will be chosen immediately beforehand, there is still time to take part, should you decide to make a surprise entry. Go on, you know you want to.

Ladies' Day takes place at Doncaster Races tomorrow. Gates open 11am; first race 2pm; pre-judging for the Doncaster Best Dressed Lady between noon and 1pm; Doncaster Best Dressed Lady Final after first race – approx 2.15pm; Overall Best Dressed Yorkshire Lady Racegoer Grand Finale – approx 2.50pm.

THE FINALISTS

Wetherby – Julie Moore; Ripon – Liz Akroyd; Pontefract – Karen Bromilow; Beverley – Sharon Allenby; Catterick – Jayne Preston-Pollock; York – Kelly Ewing; Thirsk – Sheila Garbutt; Doncaster – To be judged on Thursday; Redcar – will be represented by Julie Moore (Wetherby winner)