Racegoers arrive for third day of the Cheltenham Festival despite coronavirus fears

Keeping the fashion stakes high! Racegoers in vibrant colours turn heads as they arrive for the third day of the Cheltenham Festival despite coronavirus fears

  • Cheltenham Festival continues today with thousands of more spectators arriving to take in the action 
  • The four-day meet, which culminates with the Gold Cup tomorrow, is going ahead despite coronavirus fears
  • Royals including Princess Anne, Zara and Mike Tindall and the Duchess of Cornwall have attended this week

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Racegoers dressed to the nines have turned out in force for the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.  

Glamorous women turned heads in vibrant colours and standout coats as they arrived at Cheltenham Racecourse this morning.

The third day of the festival is known as St Patrick’s Day and dozens of revellers dressed accordingly, showing off their shamrocks, green frocks and emerald accessories. 

Others chose to put their best fashion foot forward in flirty floral frocks or eye-catching monochrome ensembles. In a nod to the changeable weather, some women decided to pair their outfits with practical wellington boots, rather than heels.   

Thousands are expected to descend on the racecourse once again today despite ongoing fears about the potential threat of coronavirus. Organisers have faced questions this week over their decision to allow the festival to go ahead as planned, even as the number of confirmed cases in the UK continues to rise. 

The Queen’s eldest grandson, Peter Phillips, who recently announced his separation from wife Autumn, was among those spotted earlier on in the day. 

One racegoer stood out from the crowd with her peacock hat

Head turners: Racegoers finished off their stunning ensembles with beautiful hats for day three at Cheltenham

Off to the races! Racegoers arrive wearing St Patrick's Day themed hats during day three of the Cheltenham Festival

Off to the races! Racegoers arrive wearing St Patrick’s Day themed hats during day three of the Cheltenham Festival

Strike a pose! One woman dressed in a black suit and fashionable white boots appeared in high spirits as she arrived today

The racegoer played up to the cameras as she arrived at Cheltenham this morning

Strike a pose! One woman dressed in a black suit and fashionable white boots appeared in high spirits as she arrived today

Getting into the spirit! Day three of the festival is known as St Patrick's Day and several racegoers chose to dress accordingly

Getting into the spirit! Day three of the festival is known as St Patrick’s Day and several racegoers chose to dress accordingly

Out of luck! In a sign of the underlying concerns of the meet, the on-site pharmacy is sold out of face masks and hand gel

Out of luck! In a sign of the underlying concerns of the meet, the on-site pharmacy is sold out of face masks and hand gel

However any worries appeared far from the spectators’ minds as they got into the spirit of the festival today, following on from a raucous evening at the course last night. 

Ladies’ Day, which took place yesterday, on the second day of the meet, descended into an impromptu dance party when a handful of revellers cleared a space on the concourse to show off their moves. 

Elsewhere Zara TIndall, Princess Anne’s daughter, was seen cheering on excitedly as she took in the action with Sir AP McCoy’s family, including his adorable son. 

Yesterday afternoon the World Health Organisation officially declared the outbreak a pandemic and the number of confirmed cases in the UK rising to 458 – an increase of 85 in a single day. 

 But there was no sign of the fun slowing down at Cheltenham, with stars including Vogue Williams and Charlotte Hawkins among those who arrived to take in the action.