Going out with a bang! Glamorous racegoers don their best dresses and elaborate hats as they enjoy the final day of Cheltenham despite coronavirus fears
- Racegoers wore their best coats and hats as they braved the cold weather to attend day four of Cheltenham
- Four-day festival kicks off with Champion Day and sees Ladies Day with the best-dressed winning an award
- On Monday festival chiefs confirmed it would be going ahead despite the latest case of coronavirus
- This week the World Health Organisation officially declared the outbreak a pandemic and the number of confirmed cases in the UK rising to 458
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
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Guests turned up the glamour as they arrived for the final day at the Cheltenham Festival in Gloucestershire today, brushing aside coronavirus fears.
Racegoers were seen in an array of stylish ensembles, matching hats and sky-scraper heels as they prepared for day four of the frivolities, which originated in 1860.
Not letting the cool weather rain on their parade, many female racegoers were pictured braving the chill to attend Gold Cup Day, where the ‘cream of the crop’ race each other, in style.
This week 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.
Racegoers were seen in an array of stylish ensembles, matching hats and sky-scraper heels as they prepared for day four of the frivolities, which originated in 1860
On Monday a Cheltenham Racecourse spokesman confirmed there were no plans to postpone the event, saying: ‘British Racing has been in close communication with the Government.
‘We welcome the guidance that the business of the country should continue as usual at this time, while ensuring we adhere to the latest public health advice in full.’
Hand sanitiser stations have also been installed at Cheltenham Racecourse in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.
The news comes after Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said that events such as Cheltenham should go ahead as planned despite cancellations and postponements being made public in other European countries.
We are guided by the facts and we are guided by the evidence,’ he told BBC Breakfast.
Racegoers elsewhere showed off their best fascinators as they arrived for the final day of the festivities today
Amy Williams (left) and Victoria Pendleton (centre) arriving for day four of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse
Faux fur and fedora hats! Over the knee boots were another big theme to keep warm in style as the women descended on Cheltenham
Hats and feathers! Guests looked chic in tweed, suits and hats as they looked in good spirits ahead of the grand finale
‘At the moment the advice is clear from the chief medical officer: there isn’t a need to cancel such events.’
The annual horse racing event, the first of the spring calender, ends on Friday.
At the 2018 festival there were six horse deaths, leading to a BHA review into equine safety and recommendations for reduced field size numbers at Cheltenham and a pre-race veterinary check for all runners at the festival.
At the 2019 festival there were three horse deaths, leading to another BHA review.
On Monday some horses had already arrived at the course by the time news of the latest case of coronavirus was made official, leading some racing fans to worry about the possibility of a last-minute change to the schedule.
Tragically, Copper Gone West was the first horse to die at the Cheltenham Festival this year, following a fatal injury.
Hand sanitizers are put into place during day four of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecours
No self isolating here! Racegoers arrive during day four of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse