CONGRATULATIONS to Grainne Alexander, from Sallins, Co Kildare, a sight to gladden any eyes when she won the best dressed lady title at Winter Ladies Day last Sunday at Naas.

Grainne, an amateur show jumper and a former national winner, bagged herself a luxurious suite stay at Lawlor’s of Naas Town Centre Hotel, a voucher worth €1,000 from Residence Day Spa in Naas and €500 in cash.

She was chosen by the head fashion judge, fashionista Lorraine Keane and sponsor representative, Mercedes Bagnall of Lawlor’s of Naas Town Centre Hotel. Grainne swept the board in a a head piece by Julie Kenny, her dress was by Scotch and Soda and her coat and jewellery were from Jingles in Naas.

And the family style doesn’t end there as her daughter Serena Alexander was also a finalist on the day and took home a €100 gift voucher from Residence Day Spa in Naas. The Alexander household must be a haven of style and panache.

Buy local

The theme of the competition was ‘Back A Boutique’ in Naas and what could be better as we strive to buy local and save our beautiful towns and villages from dereliction.

A number of Naas boutiques and shops partnered with the competition including Jingles, Aria, Emporium Kalu, Nicola Ross, Catriona’s, The Shoe Tree, Fabucci, Whelan’s Shoes and Diamond & Pearls. The boutiques generously donated vouchers ranging in value from €50 to €200. These vouchers were awarded as spot prizes for various categories including best hat, best shoes, best use of colour, best accessories, best coat, most individual, most creative and most fun outfit. Great idea to spread the love around.

The next meeting at Naas, is The January Jumps on Sunday, January 30th. See www.naasracecourse.com.

Paul nabs the winner’s jacket

THANKS to all who entered our Christmas Quiz (The Irish Field, December 25th, p40-41).

One or two of the 25 questions caught out many of you, particularly the two ‘odd one out’ questions which were arguably open to interpretation. Of the five Ger Lyons-trained horses named in Question 2, Thunder Kiss was the odd one out as she did not win on Irish Champions Weekend. Question 10 listed five jockeys who rode winners at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival and Keith Donoghue was the odd one out here as the other four were winning there for the first time.

Photograph

The photograph round also stumped a few entrants. Not everyone could identify Anthony McCann, trainer of Togoville, and trainer Liam Burke was mistaken for Peter Bowen and Sean Mulryan!

There was only one all-correct entry - well done to Paul Glacken from Fairview in Dublin. Paul wins a jacket from The Irish Field.

All of those who had just one wrong answer had their names put in a draw for the remaining prizes and the winners are Jim Corcoran (one-year subscription to Irish Country Magazine), Owen Davin (€50 Tote bet), Shane Power, Patrick Evans and Michael Walsh (facemasks from The Irish Field).

Quiz answers

1.William Buick, 2. Thunder Kiss, 3. 20, 4. Freewheelin Dylan, 5. Keri Brion, 6. 12 (six each), 7. Stowaway, 8. Sue Smith, Nicky Henderson, Jonjo O’Neill, Will Biddick, 9. Envoi Allen, 10. Keith Donoghue, 11. Modern Games, 12. Medina Spirit, 13. Neil Callan, 14. Cox Plate, 15. Space Blues, 16. St Mark’s Basilica, 17. Japan, 18. Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale, 19. Derrinstown Stud, 20. Royal Rendezvous, 21. Honeysuckle, Bob Olinger, Sir Gerhard, Allaho, Telmesomethinggirl, Quilixios, 22. Me Too Please for Arthur Moore, 23. Gin On Lime, 24. HRI Ride of the Year, 25. True, 26. Anthony McCann, 27. Lorna Fowler, 28. William Muir, 29. Liam Burke. 30. Noel Meade.