Photo: Adams Gray/SWNS
Celebration: The men seemed in good spirits as they raised a toast to St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland
They must be hoping for the luck of the Irish!
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| Happy St Patrick's day |
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Cheltenham racegoers decked themselves in green today as they turned out in force to celebrate St Patrick's Day.
Racing enthusiasts paid tribute to Irish culture on the day dedicated to the country's patron saint, with many sporting shamrocks to decorate their emerald attire.
One large group of revellers were dressed as leprechauns, while others adopted the green, white and orange of the Irish flag.
Guinness was the drink of choice for most racegoers today, with bars dedicated to the drink packed out by thirsty spectators.
The Ireland enthusiasts were joined by famous faces such as Zara Phillips, Sir Alex Ferguson and John Motson for the fourth day of the Cheltenham Festival in Gloucestershire.
This year's festival has proved controversial after a group of footballers and reality TV stars were seen urinating in glasses and throwing them away, prompting a ban by organisers and a series of public apologies.
Fancy dress: A large group of Cheltenham racegoers dressed as leprechauns to celebrate St Patrick's Day today
Cheeky: The man each had a plastic attachment to their outfits imitating bare buttocks
Fun: One man had a velvet suit as well as a waistcoat decorated with shamrocks, while another painted himself with the colours of the Irish flag
Drink: A man in a garish Shamrock suit and a St Patrick's Day hat enjoyed a pint of Guinness in the spring sun
Royals: Zara Phillips and her mother Princess Anne were both in attendance at the festival for the second day in a row
Couple: Zara arrived at the festival with her husband, the former England rugby captain Mike Tindall
Good humour: The Princess Royal appeared to be enjoying herself as she watched the racing today
Family: Two women with a young girl who was also decked out in green in honour of the occasion
Glamour: One woman mixed a faux-fur scarf in black and Irish green with a shocking pink coat
Arrival: A family arriving all dressed in green because of the St Patrick's Day celebrations
Smart: Katie Price and her husband Kieran Hayler were dressed in a demure style as they went to the races
Tipple: Three women attending the races and enjoying pints of Guinness in the sunshine
Novelty: One racegoer teamed his bottle-green suit with a horse-head mask, while a young boy wore a sparkly green hat and bow tie
Getting in the spirit of things: Two female racegoers who customised their outfits for St Patrick's Day
Packed: There were large crowds in the Guinness enclosure as racegoers were hoping to assuage their thirst
Sporting: Football manager Sir Alex Ferguson, left, and BBC commentator John Motson, right, were among the celebrities to attend today
Stars: TV's Jeremy Kyle, left, and golfer Lee Westwood, right, were also at the festival today
Victoria Pendleton takes to the practice track ahead of Cheltenham debut in amateur race tomorrow
As racegoers enjoyed St Patrick's Day at the Cheltenham Festival, cyclist Victoria Pendleton practised her jumps ahead of her debut race as a jockey at the event.
The former Olympian, who has reinvented herself as a showjumper, is set to ride Pacha Du Polder in the Foxhunter Chase tomorrow.
She was seen doing some practice laps at Lawney Hill Racing in Oxfordshire, before she will ride in the amateur race which takes place over the same course as the Gold Cup.
Some people have criticised her decision to become a jockey, claiming that she is putting herself in danger.
Practice: Victoria Pendleton was seen riding at Lawney Hill Racing today ahead of her Cheltenham debut tomorrow
Good spirits: The former Olympic cyclist appeared cheerful despite criticism of her decision to become a jockey
Affection: Ms Pendleton posed with horses in the stable during a break from practice in Oxfordshire
Prepared: The Olympian will ride in the Foxhunter Chase, which is the amateur equivalent of the Gold Cup
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