The Cheltenham chill! Racegoers wrap up on first day of historic meet

Chilly Cheltenham! Racegoers heading to Day One of the race meet hide glamorous outfits under warm coats – as spring weather fails to show

• Racegoers arrived at Cheltenham Festival this morning ahead of spring meet 
• Read more: Cheltenham Festival LIVE: Follow the action as it happens on DAY ONE of the famous festival
• Click here for the latest Cheltenham Festival news, schedule and race results

The glamorous first racegoers through the gates at the Cheltenham Festival this morning looked decidedly chilly, with most donning warm clothes for the annual four-day meet. 

While the historic society event, which dates back to the early 19th century, normally coincides with the first flourishes of spring, spectators heading to the course on the first day were instead greeted with only grey skies and temperatures hovering at around 5 degrees. 

Indeed, many spectators preparing for a day of watching the races opted for a ‘snug’ dress code, hiding glamorous outfits under coats, hats and scarves.   

When it came to headwear, there was a sea of stylish trilby hats coming through the Festival’s doors, with others opting for striking feathered fascinators. 

While there was the odd splash of fuchsia or pillarbox-red, many opted for Narnia-esque ensembles – with faux fur and suede proving popular among those making their way to the enclosures ahead of the first races. 

Spectators arriving on Day One of Cheltenham Festival opted for a snug dress code, hiding glamorous outfits under coats, hats and scarves

Many racegoers plumped for the trouser suit, in bold patterns including tartans and houndstooth – in a bid to marry style with comfort. 

The Cheltenham tipples are already flowing too, with Champagne proving an early breakfast choice for many. With St Patrick’s Day falling on Friday, the Festival has dedicated an entire village to serving up its patriotic drink, with early estimations suggesting some 220,000 pints of Guinness will be imbibed at the event. 

Earlier this month, it was revealed that King Charles could attend the Cheltenham Festival for the first time in 17 years, to show support for a gelding bred by his mother that’s set to run.

The late Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall hinted this month that the King and Queen Consort Camilla could join spectators at the historic race event, to show enthusiasm for his mother’s favourite sport.

Boot-iful! One spectator, left, donned long boots, a monochrome checked hotpant suit and a black feathered fascinator, while her companion was in the pink, with candy floss-hued trousers matched with an elegant white coat and jumper

Houndstooth and tartan tailoring – matched with trilby hats – were among the most popular looks on Day One of Cheltenham Festival 

Many racegoers plumped for the trouser suit – in bold patterns – on the first day, including this tartan check ensemble. Right: An elegant racegoer arrives wearing thigh-high boots and a skirt suit, alongside a stylish grey coat, with a black trilby and matching scarf

Layers: Shades of champagne, white and taupe made up this cosy-looking ensemble

Cape of warmth; this bespoke-looking outfit featured a historic race print, with faux fur trims around the neck and sleeves

Two spectators arrive early doors for the first day of the event – and go bare-legged despite the inclement weather

There was faux fur galore too, as those attending Day One showed off their sartorial style. Right: A cheering coat added a dash of spring to this lady’s look, with a checked dress with high collar detail matched with brown leather knee-high boots 

Style and warmth! This pair of spectators complemented each others’ looks with mirroring brown suede outfits

An autumnal palette was on display, with many choosing outfits that incorporated warm beiges, creams and browns 

Left: A military-style coat, chocolate hued boots and a striking feathered burgundy velour hat married style with practicality. Right: A racegoer strikes a pose in a pink trilby and a sharp suit 

Last year, the late Queen watched Cheltenham at home and, on her Platinum Jubilee weekend, she saw Steal a March win at Worcester, again watching from her Windsor home.

She told The Sun: ‘I think with Steal A March it would be great to see Charles and Camilla back at Cheltenham’, adding: ‘We’ll see what happens it’s a changing of the times.’

Cheltenham Racecourse director, Ian Renton, said it would ‘be a special moment in the history of the event if the King and Queen’ attended.

Steal a March, the Queen’s bay gelding, is currently at 16-1 odds to race to victory in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, which takes place on Thursday 16th March.

And they’re in! Spectators pour through the gates on Tuesday, as the first day of the Cheltenham Festival kicks off 

Steal A March, ridden by Nico de Boinville at Newbury Racecourse in November in Berkshire

Poignant: The late Queen looking delighted to be watching the Cheltenham Gold Cup back in 2009, a bay gelding she bred, Steal a March, will run at the Festival next Thursday

Cheltenham Racecourse director, Ian Renton, said it would ‘be a special moment in the history of the event if the King and Queen’ attended to watch the Queen’s horse race

King Charles could be keen to show his commitment to continue the Queen’s love of horses; he inherited 37 upon her death on September 8th but decided to sell a number of them a month later, for a sum thought to be around £1million, reports The Sunday Times.

Cheltenham Racecourse director Ian Renton told the newspaper: ‘It will be especially poignant if Steal A March runs, given that he was bred by the late Queen herself.

‘It would be a special moment in the history of the event if the King and Queen also decided to attend on the day.’

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