Cheltenham revellers were snapped getting into the spirit of things yesterday – with some racegoers spotted chugging booze out of some rather interesting containers.
One woman was photographed drinking from a flask shaped like a hairbrush, while another, who appeared to be in the same group, opted for a flask shaped like a pair of binoculars.
It came yesterday, during day two of the four-day racing event, which has faced some criticism from attendees over the cost of drinks.
Mail Sport revealed earlier this week that racing fans were left reeling after Cheltenham bosses hiked the price of Guinness on the racecourse by 30p, making a pint £7.80.
A premium lager costs 40p less than a Guinness at £7.40, while the alcohol free version of the Irish stout is valued at the same price.
But these revellers got creative in order to avoid expensive drink prices at the racecourse, opting for their covert drinkware.
It isn’t the first time racegoers have been spotted using covert ways to bring their own drinks into the event – a video from 2019 shows one woman also using a binocular-shaped flask as she took surreptitious sips of what was presumably an alcoholic beverage.
One racegoer was snapped using a flask shaped like a pair of binoculars at Cheltenham yesterday
Meanwhile another reveller found an ingenious way of swerving drinks prices that have been branded a ‘rip off’ as she appeared to turn her hairbrush into a flask
Thankfully, neither of the partygoers appeared harmed, and after being hoisted up by kind passersby, they fell about in giggles.
The cheeky pals were among the many revellers who braved the chilly weather to watch the action on course on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival yesterday.
Dressed in mini skirts and huge headpieces hundreds of revellers put on their best display for Style Wednesday, which is said to ‘celebrates both the thrill of racing and the art of fashion’.
Some made a statement with bold headpieces in bright colours while others donned mini skirts with long boots, despite snowfall in Cheltenham in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Racegoer Lisa Luse was striking in her neon green ensemble, comprising an open coat, a purple dress, matching heeled boots, and a darker green belt to cinch her waist.
Coordinated leopard print looks, tartan print ponchos, statement bags, and faux-fur lined coats were all on display, as glamorous attendees also wore big smiles while posing for photographs.
British designer Jade Holland Cooper looked chic in a black-and-white houndstooth co-ord set, comprising a blazer and long, fitted skirt, worn over a crisp white shirt and a thin tie.
Racegoers, some of whom were getting on the booze before midday, mixed with royalty with the Queen, Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie in attendance.
Mail Sport revealed earlier this week that racing fans were left reeling after Cheltenham bosses hiked the price of Guinness on the racecourse by 30p, making a pint £7.80
It started so well: The gleeful girls began dancing hand-in-hand in the sunshine as the party started on the racecourse
And they’re off! A pair of revellers at the Cheltenham Festival got the party started as they took a tumble while dancing on the concourse
The girls appeared to be having the time of their lives as they danced happily before falling over
Thankfully, some kind strangers and security staff quickly came to the girls’ aid
Neither of the girls appeared injured and both cackled as they saw the funny side
Racegoer Lisa Luse was striking in her neon green ensemble, comprising an open coat, a purple dress, matching heeled boots, and a darker green belt to cinch her waist
As temperatures across the UK fell sharply after a week of surprise sunshine – dubbed a ‘fool’s spring’ – warmed the country, revellers brought the heat to the course in Gloucestershire by showing off their most glamorous looks in honour of Style Wednesday yesterday
Another attendee shows off her coordinated emerald green look, including a matching hat with a long feather attached to it
And they’re off! Racegoers looked tense as they cheered on horses
The winnings are coming in! Others celebrated their winnings and cheered along
Like on day one, the royal equestrian, 42, once again picked a neutral pantsuit – this time Zara opted for a grey ensemble – with a pop of colour, as a burgundy turtleneck peeked through her blazer.
She matched her hat and handbag to the sweater, as Zara completed her look with a pair of black, pointed ankle boots and sunglasses.
Meanwhile, Mike wore a navy blue suit with a brick-coloured tie, as the pair were seen posing for photographs at the race course.
It appears that burgundy was on the royal style memo as Eugenie, 34, donned a double-breasted blazer in the same colour as Zara’s high-neck.
The pair were spotted deep in conversation as they made their way to the course.
Also in attendance was former England rugby union captain Mike’s teammate and friend James Haskell, who was joined by his new girlfriend Sara McLean.
Haskell and his ex-wife Chloe Madeley announced they were separating after five years of marriage in October 2023.
She added an elegant fascinator to complete her look.
For 30 years, Cheltenham’s Style Wednesday was fondly referred to as Ladies Day before being rebranded in 2024.
Day two of the prestigious four-day event is known for attracting a host of royals and celebrities alike as they show off their sartorial prowess while enjoying a day out at the races.
Head-to-toe plaid! Festivalgoer steals the show with coordinated ensemble comprising a long plaid trench coat and a matching blazer, waistcoat, as well as trousers, that is equal parts fashionable and functional
Pretty in pink! While a pair of racegoers both decided to wear pink for Style Wednesday, they chose very different hues of the colour while tying their looks together with matching suede brown boots
However, the gender-neutral shift from Ladies Day to Style Wednesday was made two years ago, when a spokesperson for the Cheltenham Festival said the move was a bid to promote sustainable or slow fashion.
‘This year we re-launched day two of The Festival as Style Wednesday to celebrate “fast horses, slow fashion”, encouraging racegoers to make more sustainable fashion choices, showcasing their unique and personal style, and to share the stories behind their amazing outfits with friends, family and on social media,’ they explained.
As part of the Style Wednesday festivities, the spokesperson said, both men and women can compete in the Slow Fashion Style Awards that replaced the erstwhile ‘Best Dressed Competition’ on Ladies Day.
This year’s Style Wednesday kicked off after boozy revellers brought the curtain down on Day One with a night of partying.
Drinks were flowing as ebullient racegoers were spotted dancing in the streets, singing along with one another, and posing for photographs while toasting pints.
Earlier in the day, fashionistas descended on the course in Gloucestershire with many putting a vibrant and colourful twist on the rural staples of tweed and fur.
Anxious to prove they can hold their own against the fashionable displays seen at Ascot and Aintree each year, racegoers dressed up in statement suits, knee-high boots and fur-trimmed hats and capes.
Another attendee raises her glass of Guinness as day two of the prestigious four-day event gets underway
Pink was a big theme on Style Wednesday, with one racegoer opting to elevate her grey ensemble with a pop of colour
Perfectly coiffed women donned eye-catching prints, thigh-skimming dresses and eye-catching wide leg trousers as they arrived in their thousands to take in the first day of the action.
But not to be outdone by their female counterparts, some men added a touch of flair and opted for brightly coloured suits.
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.
Check ensembles seemed to be the order of the day, with many guests opting for patterned jacket and trouser combos or mini skirts and blazer dresses.
Revellers were joined by VIPs including the King’s niece Zara, fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper and TV personality Georgia Toffolo.
Zara, who returned to the course on day two, looked effortlessly elegant in her monochrome ensemble as the royal equestrian donned Fairfax & Favor’s Victoria double-breasted wool coat with big gold buttons.
Zara, who was named the luxury brand’s official ambassador earlier this month, matched her outerwear to a navy ruffled shirt and a pair of wide-leg trousers.
She paired them with Fairfax & Favor’s Chiswick Heeled Quilted Ankle Boots and leather gloves.
However, she added a pop of colour with a mustard fascinator that complemented her coat’s buttons as well as the gold chain on her £495 black Aspinal of London’s ‘Lottie’ bag,
Dramatic and over-the-top headpieces were another style fixture of day two, which was previously referred to as Ladies Day
As part of the Style Wednesday festivities, the spokesperson said, both men and women can compete in the Slow Fashion Style Awards that replaced the erstwhile ‘Best Dressed Competition’ on Ladies Day
Not to be left behind, the men at Cheltenham also got into the spirit of Style Wednesday by donning brightly coloured suits with wacky prints
British designer Jade Holland Cooper looked chic in a black-and-white hounds tooth co-ord set, comprising a blazer and long, fitted skirt, worn over a crisp white shirt and black tie
It appears that burgundy was on the royal style memo as Eugenie, 34, donned a double-breasted blazer in the same colour as Zara’s high-neck
The royal equestrian, 42, once again picked a neutral pantsuit – this time Zara opted for a grey ensemble – with a pop of colour, as a burgundy turtleneck peeked through her blazer
Also in attendance was former England rugby union captain Mike’s teammate and friend James Haskell, who was accompanied by his new girlfriend and reality TV star Sara McLean
The rugby player, 39, was seen holding hands with the glamorous reality starlet (above), who previously dated US World Cup goalie hero Tim Howard and rugby star Ben Cohen
Racegoers arriving for day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse
A woman greets fellow attendees enthusiastically
One attendee (left) rocks a rather unusual horse head hat
A festival attendee wearing a glamorous tan brown coat with a matching hat, and a complementary silk scarf to finish her elegant look
Zara was previously seen carrying the luxury handbag at a charity event in London last month. She also added a pair of tortoise shell sunglasses and elegant gold earrings to tie her look for the first day of Cheltenham together, as the King’s niece appeared fresh-faced and excited for the day’s event.
She kept her makeup to a minimum, allowing her flawless complexion to shine through a sheer layer of foundation while opting for a soft, smokey eye look and a swipe of nude lipstick.
It comes after a supercomputer predicted the winners from day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
Using data going all the way back to 1990, the machine has analysed every winning horse at Cheltenham while including a variety of factors such as age, betting position, past results and trainer records.
An algorithm then attributes a score of between 1 and -1 depending on how well each horse matches the winning characteristics. The characteristics are then used to identify the horses most likely to win each race at this year’s festival.
