Revellers Arrive in Statement Suits and Matching Outfits at Cheltenham Festival’s Opening Day

The opening day of the Cheltenham racing festival saw stylish attendees bringing their A-game to kick off the Spring season in style.

Fashionistas descended on the course in Gloucestershire with many putting a vibrant and colourful twist on the rural staples of tweed and fur. 

In a bid to rival the high fashion seen at prestigious events like Ascot and Aintree, racegoers sported bold suits, knee-high boots, and lavish fur accessories to make a statement.

Fashion-forward women showcased striking patterns, daring short dresses, and trendy wide-legged trousers as they flocked in numbers to witness the thrilling start of the festival.

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. 

Revellers were joined by VIPs including the King’s niece, Zara Tindall, her husband Mike, fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper and TV personality Georgia Toffolo.

It comes after a supercomputer has predicted the winners from day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

Designer date! A woman showcased her Chanel bag and Valentino belt as she opted for statement red trousers and a check blazer 

Getting the party started! One punter was quick to secure several pints of Guinness after arriving at the festival

Matchy, matchy! Racegoers in purple jackets and red hats arrive ahead of day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse 

Revellers were joined by VIPs including the King’s niece, Zara Tindall (pictured left), her husband Mike, fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper and TV personality Georgia Toffolo (pictured right)

Style and warmth: This glamorous duo paired knee-high boots, thigh-skimming dresses and feathered fascinators with coats to keep warm

Making a statement: A vibrant print suit helps one racegoer stand out from the crowd, while another relies on a purple check coat to command attention

Coordination queens! Two revellers matched one another in beige and neutrals

Check her out! Jade Holland Cooper appeared effortlessly elegant in a three-piece check suit, teamed with a vibrant tie and a classic handbag

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 – but it is bad news for favourites.

Tuesday’s top race sees Constitution Hill (8/11) as the favourite listed in the first day’s feature race – the Champion Hurdle.

While the eight-year-old missed the 2024 edition of the festival, it beat Lossiemouth at Kempton in January and remains unbeaten with eight Grade One victories.

In another of the first day’s top races – the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase – Majborough has also been tipped for victory.

Anyone looking to back an outside may be best placed hedging their bets on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, which is scheduled to get underway at 1:20pm on Tuesday afternoon.

At 12/1, Workhead has been predicted to beat odds-on favourite Kopek Des Bordes (5/6) in the first race of the day.

Cape of warmth: One racegoer kept warm against the chilly weather with a stylish outer layer

Seeing double! These friends appeared to be inspired by one another as they wore similar ensembles for the first day of the festival

The supercomputer also predicts that Crebilly will beat The Ultima Handicap Chase favourite The Changing Man, which is pencilled in for 2:40pm.

However, the biggest upset could come in the Mares Hurdle, with the algorithm predicting champion Lossiemouth at 4/5 to lose out to Jade De Grugy at 5/2.

Lossiemouth is also due to race against overwhelming favourite Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle at 4:00pm in the day’s headline race.