It may not carry the clout of Ascot, but Cheltenham Ladies Day revellers went all out to up the style stakes for day two of the annual festival.
This year sees the return of the #ColourMeMarch competition, where for the first time male as well as female racegoers are encouraged to add a splash of colour to their outfits.
Judges will narrow it down to four finalists, who can then spin the Winning Post of Fortune to land one of the luxurious prizes up for grabs.
These brave ladies (left) braved the cool March weather and ditched the tights to show of their tanned pins while others braved floaty flocks (right) despite the gale force winds as they arrived for a day of racing
Cream of the crop! Ladies Day revellers went all out to up the style stakes for day two of the annual festival, with one reveller (right) risking a plunging blazer which revealed a lace body below, while another went for a daringly short tuxedo-dress
A pretty Ladies Day visitor plumped for an off-the-shoulder floral embroidered frock with velvet accents and a summer boater hat
What a fine bunch of fillies! Ladies descend on the course for an action-packed day of racing at Cheltenham – with many braving short hemlines and daring necklines
These include a brand new Mini ONE car, a Boodles item of jewellery worth £3,800, a hotel spa package and hat worth £350 and £250 worth of fashion vouchers.
The second day of racing will go ahead as planned despite fears over high winds following a precautionary track inspection earlier this morning.
The chance of a cancellation due to the weather today raised the prospect of a ‘People’s Saturday’ at the Festival for the first time.
Zara and Mike Tindall returned to the Cheltenham Festival today for Ladies Day, with the Queen’s daughter swapping her navy coat and hat for a purple alternative, while her husband traded his jeans for green check chinos.
Zara and Mike Tindall returned to the Cheltenham Festival today for Ladies Day, with the Queen’s granddaughter swapping her navy coat and hat for a purple alternative, while her husband traded his jeans for green check chinos
Zara looked a royal picture in a purple double-breasted wool coat by Pip Howeson and a matching plum felt cocktail hat by London milliner Juliette Botterill. She also carried an Aspinal Letterbox Saddle handbag
Princess Anne also returned to the Gloucestershire event, today sporting a rich green velvet coat with navy pocket detailing and a gold horse brooch
Princess Anne was seen speaking to Andrew Parker Bowles, the ex-husband of the Duchess of Cornwall, during the day
The Duchess of Cornwall was also in attendance to present the winning jockey of the Queen Mother Champion Chase with their trophy, and struggled with her hat against the wind
Model and TV presenter Vogue Williams was one of the first celebrities to arrive at the event, dressed in a Holland Cooper floor length tartan trench coat and black trilby hat. Vogue will compete in a charity horse race later this year
Among the early celebrity arrivals was Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins and TV host Jeremy Kyle with his partner Vicky Burton. Charlotte wore a tweed coat by Guinea London, a fuscia and purple jacquard suit by Claire Mischevani and a hat by Juliette Botterill
Tennis ace Andy Murray put his best foot forward in a stylish grey wool coat and black snood, while his wife Kim plumped for a distinctive patterned jumpsuit from Boden with orange suede boots and a dusky pink blazer
The pair looked to be enjoying themselves as they cheered on their favourites from a prime spot on the balcony
Andy beamed at his delighted wife as she celebrated from the balcony while taking in the action at Cheltenham
Fashionistas donned their feathered finery as they arrived at Prestbury Park for Cheltenham Ladies Day today
Today’s feature race is the £400,000 Grand 1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, the trophy for which will be presented by the Duchess of Cornwall.
Early arrivals were clearly dressed to impress as they entered Prestbury Park this morning, with knee-high boots, fur stoles and extravagant hats clearly the order of the day.
Many had clearly taken inspiration from the glorious Gloucestershire countryside, plumping for tweed coats and feathery accessories.
It was a far cry from yesterday, where some ladies resorted to using plastic bags to cover their shoes to protect them from the lashing rain.
One even used a box used to sell daffodils in a supermarket as a makeshift hat.
The dreaded 50mph winds were clearly an issue, with many revellers clinging to their hats and clothing as they entered the race track.
On Day One, Espoir D’Allen, rode by jockey Mark Walsh, defied the odds to beat favourite and two-time winner Buveur D’Air to take gold in the Champion Hurdle.
A group of hens celebrated their bride-to-be at Ladies Day – with some rather cheeky props to mark the special occasion
Former Made in Chelsea star Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo was all smiles as she entered the paddock for the start of the races in a sixties-inspired jacket and Fairfax & Favor Regina Boots, while former England cricketer and Dancing on Ice contestant Ryan Sidebottom gave onlookers a thumbs up as he arrived in a sharp three-piece blue tartan check suit
An excited fan cheers her horse from the paddock as fellow racegoers look on during the third race at Ladies Day
Check this out! Fashion-conscious visitors teamed bright summer colours with vintage tweeds and check prints
Everything in the garden’s rosy for this Ladies Day visitor (left) who opted for a floral theme with her outfit, while these two ladies (right) refused to let the windy weather and cool temperatures rain on their parade, sporting bright primary colours and short hemlines
Excited racegoers watched in excitement as the day’s showpiece race – the Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase – got underway
Is she fur real? A racegoer stands out from the crowds thanks to her voluminous white fur hood – and the male fans behind her didn’t look too chuffed
Gill Carpenter went all out with her head gear, introducing fabrics from her floral patterned pink blazer into the plume of feathers
Outsiders race to glory in today’s races at Cheltenham
City Island won the curtain-raiser – the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Race – on day two at Cheltenham, rode by jockey Mark Walsh.
He told ITV Racing: ‘We still don’t know how good he is because even when he gets to the front he doesn’t do a stroke.’
Jockey Harry Cobden’s horse Topofthegame was true to his name in the Novices’ Steeple Chase, galloping to glory to beat closest rival Santini.
The third race of the day – the Coral Cup Hurdle – was decided by a photo finish, with William Henry taking it by a whisker.
It was neck and neck between Altior and Sceau Royal after the last in the Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase, with Altior clinching the win.
Winning jockey Nico de Boinville told ITV Racing: ‘He’s an absolute warrior, what an absolute monster, he’s right up there, what a horse, we’ll enjoy the moment.’
Jockey Nico de Boinville celebrates winning the 3.30 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase on Altior
TV presenter Francesca Cumani (left) looked chic in a pearl-studded black beret and matching fur stole, while this glamorous racegoer (right) also went for a monochrome look, with her companion opting for a neutral palette of beige, cream and brown
Winners and losers: One fan looks disappointed during today’s Cheltenham races, while another appears to celebrate a win
The stands were packed as the racing got underway this afternoon. One reveller used his teeth to cling onto his pint while he sent a text
A female racegoer looked a vision in teal, with a wool check coat, a luxurious fur stole and an elaborate hat adorned with peacock feathers
The forecasted 50mph winds were clearly an issue as several guests clung onto their hats and clothing as they entered the race track
A Ladies Day visitor clings to her wide-brimmed hat (left) as she arrived in all black ensemble, with a bright red lip and red check coat her nod to the ‘splash of colour’ theme, with another (right) opts for a chain link design dress cinched in at the waist by a thick black leather corset belt
Racegoers brave the wind as day two of 2019 Cheltenham Festival Ladies Day gets underway, with one guest plumping for a tuxedo-style green outfit and top hat
Purple rain! These ladies embraced shades of pink and purple for their outfits, and opted for some pretty spectacular headgear
One trendy reveller sported a spectacular pair of Yves Saint Laurent black patent high heels with an eponymous-style heel
Pretty in pastel: These Ladies Day revellers opted for a Spring colour palette, with a muted coral coat and dusky pink accessories (left) and a chic beige and cream ensemble (right)
The crowds piled in after racing was given the go ahead today, despite concerns over gale force winds as a result of Storm Gareth
Berry windy! Mary Berry holds onto her hat as she arrives in a chic wool ensemble at Cheltenham Ladies Day with daughter Annabel Hunnings
Many female visitors didn’t trust the gusty winds when smiling for photos, keeping a trust hand on their headwear
Hats off to them! These ladies went to great lengths to impress with their hats, which set off their eye-catching outfits
Punters gathered for an exciting day of racing. The showpiece event today is the £400,000 Grand 1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
Comedian Lee Mack sported a salt and pepper beard to the glamorous occasion, while actor Keith Allen grinned as he chatted to pals in the paddock
Bright colours, fur and feathers were very much the order of the day, with many ladies vying for the coveted best dressed crown
Blue-ming lovely! Ash Robinson dons a bright blue suit in homage to the splash of colour theme at Cheltenham Festival today
Ex-Coronation Street actor Nigel Havers looked suave in a brown bool coat and mmatching trilby, with a hint of colour from his purple scarf, while This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes looked windswept as he arrived for the day of racing
‘Knifeman is arrested’ at Cheltenham: Armed police handcuff man suspected of carrying blade at Ladies Day – amid strong security at annual event
By James Wood for MailOnline
Armed police have arrested a man on suspicion of possessing a knife at Cheltenham Festival today, amid a strong show of security at the racecourse.
Gloucestershire Police received reports of a man with a knife at 10.20am and immediately dispatched armed officers to the area who made an arrest.
Dressed in a raincoat and jeans, the man can be seen speaking to police before handcuffs are slapped on his wrist and he is led away by at least three armed officers.
A man dressed in a raincoat and jeans is led away by police at Cheltenham Festival today. He can be seen speaking to officers (left) before handcuffs are slapped on his wrists. Three armed officers are eventually required to lead him away (right)
Punters arrive at Cheltenham Racecourse on Wednesday morning for the second day of action. Police have announced they are adopting a ‘very strong anti-drugs’ stance for the duration of the event
A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: ‘Officers swiftly responded to reports of a man in possession of a knife at Cheltenham racecourse at 10.20am today.
‘The man has been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a bladed article in a public place.’
It comes on the second day of the annual horse-racing event, typically Ladies Day, and after police announced they were adopting a ‘very strong anti-drugs’ stance for the duration of the event.
Ian Renton, regional director of Cheltenham and the South West for Jockey Club Racecourses just yesterday explained why a strong stance on security was being taken this year.
He told the Telegraph: ‘We have a large security presence here for the Festival, both from the police and security companies.
‘As people might be aware we cracked down a couple of years ago on the availability of alcohol to try to discourage any excessive drinking.
‘We will continue with that policy to ensure all our racegoers can come and have a fun time without any sign of rowdiness.’