Photographs by Jan Enkelmann of 'glamorous' Brits making their way to the races

Photographer Jan Enkelmann wanted to capture a more honest version of events. "Once a year, a lot of effort is made, and often considerable sums of money are spent on hats and dresses, hair and make-up," he says. "Whether you have a seat in the royal enclosure at Ascot or are sitting in the grass at the Grand National, everyone is hungry for the camera. If not winning a prize, then maybe at least you might end up on the tabloid pages the next morning."

But instead of visiting the race grounds, he decided to wait outside railway stations closest to Aintree, Ascot and Epsom, to snap racegoers when they're not quite ready for the cameras. "Here, early in the morning, the picture is often less than glamorous," he continues.

"I become an observer to racegoers struggling with an unreliable rail system, changing from trainers into high heels and stocking up on fast food and cheap alcohol from pubs and high street chain stores. Estranged-looking couples are staring at their mobile phones. Betting shops. Fake tan. General grumpiness. And a dose foul weather to round it all off."

For more honest street photography, check out Enkelmann's Smoking Chefs series on the quiet back alleys and doorways of Chinatown where kitchen staff take regular breaks from the onslaught of London's endless throng of hungry tourists. Or discover more at enkelmann.co.uk.