Ebor Diary

Ladies' Day always means an astounding range of outfits, and Karen Holmes, 23, a former Miss York contestant, certainly went for something a little different with her dress hand made entirely out of used rail tickets.

York's National Railway Museum even provided a matching hat in return for a little free promotion. "I love it," Miss Holmes said. "It's definitely a head-turner."

The racecourse fashion judges clearly thought so, picking her out for the final of the best-dressed lady competition yesterday afternoon. Just the ticket, you might say.

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT...BUT DON'T TRY

For those feeling peckish after a hard afternoon of sunshine and champagne, Leeds millinery student Veronica Hartley had the very thing yesterday – her intricately-designed "snack-hat".

Ms Hartley, from Pickering, managed to incorporate crisps, snacks and a variety of salad into her highly unusual headgear, scooping first prize in the Warburtons fifth Annual Ebor Hat Design competition in the process. The competition is open every year to students on art and design colleges across Yorkshire.

"I hope it makes people smile," Ms Hartley said, as she pocketed the

200 prize and prepared to don the hat for Ladies' Day.

But any tipsy passers-by thinking they might grab a sneaky bite to eat while her back was turned were sorely disappointed – the hat was made entirely from felt,straw, silk, beads and wire.

KAMMY DOES SOME BLUE-SKY THINKING

Another day at Ebor, another selection of famous football faces among the crowds.

Leeds United legend Peter Lorimer was in attendance yesterday, as were former Middlesbrough and Man Utd defender Gary Pallister and ex-Bradford and Hull striker Dean Windass. Former Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield United star Chris Kamara, now best known for his role on Sky Sports, was spotted enjoying a pint in the sun.

EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES

It's not just the hats and dress which change with the fashions at Ebor each year – people's drinking tastes are changing as well.

The popularity of ros wine over recent years has led racecourse hospitality manager Geoff Stewart, shown with colleague charlotte Scott, to open a dedicated ros bar inside the County Stand – and business is booming.

Indeed, such a fan of ros is Mr Stewart that he himself blended the course's house ros, at a French winery back in 2008."This way I can be sure it's a decent bottle," he said.