Caprice the centre of attention at Bellewstown

American-born, British-based actress and model Caprice was on hand 'on the hill' last week when she judged the most appropriately dressed lady competition at Bellewstown Races, where Rathfarnham's Caoilinn Taylor emerged as the winner. Sixteen finalists were in the reckoning for the €5,000 prize package, sponsored by CityNorth Hotel, GOSH Cosmetics and Waxell. Fresh from an interview with TV3's 'Xpose', Caprice spent an hour touring the enclosure and corporate marquee and talking to ladies about their outfits, where they had bought, what accessories they had chosen and what inspired their style. She also met lots of children who had dressed up specially for the occasion and were delighted to have their photo taken with the model and businesswoman. Gavin Duffy, of Bellewstown Race Committee and more recently RTE's 'Dragon's Den', played host to the evening and welcomed the 16 finalists to the stage to be photographed with Caprice. Jacobs Creek sponsored pink champagne for all the ladies which added to the party atmosphere, and after more deliberations, Caprice shortlisted the 16 finalists down to three - Faith Amond, Carlow; Caoilinn Taylor, Rathfarnham; and Aine Purcell, Kildare. Ms Amond, who was second placed, wore a Hoss dress with a hat that she made herself; Ms Taylor, a purple Zara dress with a navy chiffon wrap pinned with a vintage broach and an Alexander McQueen navy clutch, and Ms Purcell (third) sported an ivory mini dress with a black trim, a stylish headpiece and black handbag. Declan Furlong and the team from Waxelle presented over €1,200 in prize vouchers; GOSH Cosmetics presented gift baskets and CityNorth Hotel presented four five-star luxury weekend breaks in Ireland with €1,000 spending money. GOSH Cosmetics sponsored the final race of the evening, an all-female jockeys race. Before the race Caprice met with all the jockeys and stayed in the parade ring with Kieran Flynn of GOSH Cosmetics to present the winner, Nina Carberry, with her prize. She rode 2/5 favourite St Devote to victory for Charlie Swan, placing her fourth in the jockeys' championship, in the last race of the 2009 festival at Bellewstown.