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The Irish Sun

Punchestown Festival: Ex-Garda scoops Best Dressed award thanks to help from ‘little sidekick' daughter

GENEVIEVE Ryan scooped the Best Dressed award for day one of the Punchestown Festival thanks to help from her "little sidekick" daughter Lily-Mae. The former Garda wowed judges with a black and white polka dot number. 4 Genevieve Ryan's black top was beautifully contrasted by the sunny weather Credit: Sportsfile 4 Alongside another racegoer in Lisa Walsh from Meath Credit: Sportsfile 4 Marine Nationale stormed to victory in the day's big race 4 It was a slight upset for jockey Sean Flanagan and trainer Barry Connell as Willie Mullins' star Fact to File had been expected to win Speaking to Furthermore, daughter Lily-Mae showcased some outside the box thinking by cutely suggesting that her mam top it all off by accessorising with her teddy bear. Genevieve recalled how her little girl noticed the teddy fit the colour scheme perfectly, saying: "I had the skirt and hat, but I was looking for a polka dot fabric. "So I bought one myself, which I had originally planned on using, and then my three-year-old girl said, 'No, Mommy, this is the same, use this!'" Read More On Irish Sport "I'm thrilled that she has a part to play in it because she's my little sidekick and we do everything together." Lily-Mae may well have earned herself a day out at the races later in the week with her fashionable insights beyond her years. A beaming Genevieve added: "I think I'm going to bring her on Friday just to see me up here with the teddy bear's ribbon." There will be a further three racegoers picked out as the Best Dressed across Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before one of them is crowned the overall winner. Most read in Horse Racing As for the eye-catching action on the track throughout day one of the five-day meet? Well, there was a slight upset in the day's feature race as Marine Nationale took the Champion Chase while favourite Fact to File could only manage fourth. Watch the terrifying moment Molly-Mae Hague is thrown from her horse in 'traumatising' accident Winning trainer Barry Connell joked afterwards that people will think "I'm nuts" after magical Marine Nationale turned on the style. The Co Kildare trainer hailed the eight-year-old as a 'horse of a lifetime' after he easily completed a Festival Champion Chase double. Marine Nationale The showdown with Fact To File was a non-event. The winner of the Ryanair was beaten three out, eventually trailing home in last place. Sean Flanagan and Marine Nationale were always going best and skipped clear after the last to beat Captain Guinness by seven lengths. Connell said: 'There is no doubt he's the best two-mile chaser around — and I reckon he will go down as one of the greats." He then revealed: "I spend a lot of time alone with this horse in his box. "There is an aura about him. He gives off this energy. You may think I'm nuts but that's what I do and that's what I feel."