40 shades of chic! Cheltenham racegoers step out in thigh-skimming hemlines and get the party started with champagne on St Patrick's Thursday

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Racegoers pulled out all the sartorial stops as they arrived at Cheltenham racecourse in Gloucestershire today for the third day of the annual festival. 

Guests were spotted brightening up the dreary day in check coats, vibrant hats and colour coordinated ensembles as they kicked off St Patrick’s Thursday.

And they were in royal company as Princess Beatrice, 35, and Zara Tindall, 42, enjoyed a cousins’ day out, joined by their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40, and former rugby ace Mike Tindall, 45. 

Not letting the dull weather rain on their parade, many female racegoers were pictured braving the chill at the four-day race meet, which originated in 1860, in style.

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

Racegoers pulled out all the sartorial stops as they arrived at Cheltenham racecourse in Gloucestershire today for the third day of the annual festival

Racegoers pulled out all the sartorial stops as they arrived at Cheltenham racecourse in Gloucestershire today for the third day of the annual festival

Getting into the spirit! A racegoer wears a green suit and an Irish flag on day three of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival

Getting into the spirit! A racegoer wears a green suit and an Irish flag on day three of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham goes green! Delighted racegoers pose in matching Irish-themed suits and ties

Cheltenham goes green! Delighted racegoers pose in matching Irish-themed suits and ties

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

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

Get the party started! A reveller sips champagne before the sporting action gets underway

Get the party started! A reveller sips champagne before the sporting action gets underway 

No doubt Guinness will be flowing as they celebrate Ireland’s patron saint, whose feast day falls on Sunday. 

Others chose to put their best fashion foot forward in flirty check frocks or eye-catching monochrome ensembles.

In a nod to the changeable weather, some women decided to pair their outfits with practical boots, rather than dainty heels. 

The Royal Family put on another uncharacteristically loved-up display today as Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo joined Zara and Mike at the races.

Beatrice, looking chic in a brown coat, pill box hat and Kate Spade bag wrapped her arms around cousin Zara, who opted for a grey coat and green fascinator. 

A smattering of famous faces were spotted in the crowds, including actor James Nesbitt and presenter Nick Knowles who arrived hand-in-hand with his girlfriend Katie Dadzie.

Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo looked chic in a retro style brown suede coat, teamed with a red headband, after missing the earlier days of the festival. 

This week she took to Instagram to tell fans she was disappointed not to attend every day of the event, but has been spending quality time with her boyfriend – BrewDog James Watt – after moving in together. 

Making sure all eyes are on them! Revellers donned elegant and vibrant ensembles for today's racing as they commanded attention in their outfits
Making sure all eyes are on them! Revellers donned elegant and vibrant ensembles for today's racing as they commanded attention in their outfits

Making sure all eyes are on them! Revellers donned elegant and vibrant ensembles for today’s racing as they commanded attention in their outfits

Gorgeous in green! These two ladies opted to stick to the St Patrick's Thursday theme by sporting emerald coats

Gorgeous in green! These two ladies opted to stick to the St Patrick’s Thursday theme by sporting emerald coats

Thrice as nice! These ladies put their best fashion foot forward as they attended today's festival at the Cheltenham racecourse

Thrice as nice! These ladies put their best fashion foot forward as they attended today’s festival at the Cheltenham racecourse

The jaunty reveller ensured he paid tribute to Ireland's St Patrick in the best way possible

The jaunty reveller ensured he paid tribute to Ireland’s St Patrick in the best way possible

He appeared to be applauding as the flag he had attached to his bucket hat flowed in the wind

He appeared to be applauding as the flag he had attached to his bucket hat flowed in the wind

He's hoping for a bit of Irish luck! This person wore shamrock glasses to today's racing festival

He’s hoping for a bit of Irish luck! This person wore shamrock glasses to today’s racing festival

Bright and bold! These gentlemen kept it smart with suits - but made sure they had flashy designs

Bright and bold! These gentlemen kept it smart with suits – but made sure they had flashy designs

Keeping to the theme of the day: A racegoer shows off his shamrock covered suit and tie

Keeping to the theme of the day: A racegoer shows off his shamrock covered suit and tie

They've got the Irish theme covered! This racegoer opted for shamrock-shaped sunglasses and a green hat

They’ve got the Irish theme covered! This racegoer opted for shamrock-shaped sunglasses and a green hat

She admitted the couple had barely seen each other, despite her moving into his apartment, due to their hectic work schedules.  

Guests at this year’s meet have hiked up their hemlines, chugged beer and Red Bull and ditched Jimmy Choos for thigh high boots and trainers in a move that has lead to comparisons with Aintree, the Merseyside meet famed for it’s rowdy crowds and street style.

Last year, the Jockey Club scrapped its strict dress code at its racecourses in the hopes of encouraging a younger crowd to racing events, with jeans and trainers no longer looked down upon, and ‘come dressed to feel your best’ guidance in place.

The formal dress codes – which often included a jacket and tie – were dropped in an effort to make horseracing more ‘accessible and inclusive’, the Jockey Club said in an announcement.

The only exceptions to the new policy at any of the 342 fixtures staged by The Jockey Club is offensive fancy dress or offensive clothing of any kind and replica sports shirts. 

The royal family put on another uncharacteristically loved-up display today as Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi joined Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall at Cheltenham races

The royal family put on another uncharacteristically loved-up display today as Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi joined Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall at Cheltenham races

Princess Anne also joined the royal day out, looking effortlessly chic in a green coat

Princess Anne also joined the royal day out, looking effortlessly chic in a green coat

Former Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo looked chic in a retro style brown suede coat, teamed with a red headband

Former Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo looked chic in a retro style brown suede coat, teamed with a red headband 

Mills and Boon author Jilly Cooper was spotted among the Cheltenham revellers - and she looked the part in a light scarf with a horse pattern

Mills and Boon author Jilly Cooper was spotted among the Cheltenham revellers – and she looked the part in a light scarf with a horse pattern

PDA alert! Nick Knowles held hands with his girlfriend Katie Dadzie who looked elegant in a burgundy coat teamed with a green handbag, appropriate for St Patrick's Thursday

PDA alert! Nick Knowles held hands with his girlfriend Katie Dadzie who looked elegant in a burgundy coat teamed with a green handbag, appropriate for St Patrick’s Thursday 

James Nesbitt looked the part in his country casuals as he made his way into the festival on St Patrick's Thursday

James Nesbitt looked the part in his country casuals as he made his way into the festival on St Patrick’s Thursday 

Designer Jade Holland Cooper - a favourite of the Princess of Wales - showcased one of her own tartan looks as she arrived with her husband Julian Dunkerton

Designer Jade Holland Cooper – a favourite of the Princess of Wales – showcased one of her own tartan looks as she arrived with her husband Julian Dunkerton

Not letting the dull weather rain on their parade, many female racegoers were pictured braving the chill at the four-day race meet, which originated in 1860, in style

Not letting the dull weather rain on their parade, many female racegoers were pictured braving the chill at the four-day race meet, which originated in 1860, in style

In a nod to the changeable weather, some women decided to pair their outfits with practical boots, rather than dainty heels

In a nod to the changeable weather, some women decided to pair their outfits with practical boots, rather than dainty heels

Guests were spotted brightening up the dreary day in check coats, vibrant hats and colour coordinated ensembles as they kicked off St Patrick's Thursday
Guests were spotted brightening up the dreary day in check coats, vibrant hats and colour coordinated ensembles as they kicked off St Patrick's Thursday

Guests were spotted brightening up the dreary day in check coats, vibrant hats and colour coordinated ensembles as they kicked off St Patrick’s Thursday

Ready to party! These three ladies smiled for the camera wile holding small bottles of Champagne

Ready to party! These three ladies smiled for the camera wile holding small bottles of Champagne

Monochrome magic! This racegoer opted for an eye-catching monochrome ensemble when attending the annual event

Monochrome magic! This racegoer opted for an eye-catching monochrome ensemble when attending the annual event

Co-ordinating chic: Fashionistas at Cheltenham opt for matchy-matchy ensembles
Co-ordinating chic: Fashionistas at Cheltenham opt for matchy-matchy ensembles

Co-ordinating chic: Fashionistas at Cheltenham opt for matchy-matchy ensembles

Double trouble: These two racegoers appeared to be delighted as they stepped out at the four-day festival

Double trouble: These two racegoers appeared to be delighted as they stepped out at the four-day festival 

Supreme in green! These racegoers gave the green theme a subtle nod with a stylish blazer and skirt combo

Supreme in green! These racegoers gave the green theme a subtle nod with a stylish blazer and skirt combo

Don't rain on my parade! One woman's pink blazer came in handy as the weather grew cloudy

Don’t rain on my parade! One woman’s pink blazer came in handy as the weather grew cloudy

Effortlessly elegant: Revellers showed of their fashion prowess when attending the event
Effortlessly elegant: Revellers showed of their fashion prowess when attending the event

Effortlessly elegant: Revellers showed of their fashion prowess when attending the event

All about the accessories: One woman donned a gold horse brooch to finish off her elegant ensemble

All about the accessories: One woman donned a gold horse brooch to finish off her elegant ensemble

Dressed to impress: Stylish racegoers commanded attention in statement outfits
Dressed to impress: Stylish racegoers commanded attention in statement outfits

Dressed to impress: Stylish racegoers commanded attention in statement outfits 

Here come the girls! Two friends pose with one another as they show off their fashionable outfits

Here come the girls! Two friends pose with one another as they show off their fashionable outfits

Getting the party started! Dressed in all their finery, two women are spotted holding little bottles of Champagne

Getting the party started! Dressed in all their finery, two women are spotted holding little bottles of Champagne

Looking good! These ladies were dressed to impressed in floral and patterned dresses

Looking good! These ladies were dressed to impressed in floral and patterned dresses

Eye-catching revellers weren't afraid of thigh-skimming skirts for the day out
Eye-catching revellers weren't afraid of thigh-skimming skirts for the day out

Eye-catching revellers weren’t afraid of thigh-skimming skirts for the day out

This means trainers, tracksuits and ripped jeans are now allowed and punters so far have seemed to take advantage of this.

While Cheltenham is owned by the Jockey Club, the course never had a formal dress code. 

However, in previous years men would wear suits and women would wear smart dresses and heels, while jeans and trainers were usually avoided. 

But this year, stilettos have been traded in for chunky boots, and traditional long dresses have been hiked up. Noughties fashion seemed to be in vogue, with people opting for rara skirts and blazers. 

For today’s race meeting, The Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle is the headline act at 15:30 where Teahupoo is hoping to go a couple of places better than last season when denied by stablemate Sire Du Berlais who also lines up again.

It is the most open of the Festival’s feature races with winners tough to predict.

Three previous Stayers’ Hurdle winners line up — Paisley Park, Flooring Porter, who has twice been successful, and last year’s scorer Sire Du Berlais.

Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo finished third last year and returns a more mature and complete athlete at the age of seven, the age of five of the past seven winners. 

Sam Thompson poses with racegoers on day three of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival

Sam Thompson poses with racegoers on day three of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival

Jade Holland Cooper proves her fashion prowess in a striking three-piece suit and complementary coat

Jade Holland Cooper proves her fashion prowess in a striking three-piece suit and complementary coat