No complaints from police as folk in funny hats have fun in sun
Only civil unrest is racegoers getting carried away with the superb action
It's ladies' day at the festival, which provides a nice connection to Special Tiara as he's owned by a lady, but with all the Douvan stuff going on that little nugget is unlikely to make many headlines.
A glorious sun is beating down on Prestbury Park. This is great news for most people but less so if you own Un De Sceaux or have come to the races in a large and silly green hat. Worcester's Steve Key, a civilian detention officer – you'll find him near the cells – has done just that and sports something akin to a furry green headpiece that carries the logo of Murphy's, a Cork alcoholic beverage popular around these parts when its parent company changed the name of the Mackeson Gold Cup in 1996. These days Guinness does better.
"It's definitely a bit sweaty underneath the hat but I like to dress up and enjoy myself when I come to Cheltenham," says Steve, who has just had a nice win thanks to Willoughby Court.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inReports
Last updated
Copy- Warwick: 'I can’t wait for the Challow' - The New Lion's connections warm up for Grade 1 bid with Cherie D'Am's Listed win
- Taunton: spring targets await for smart prospect Alexei as German Flat import makes it two from two over hurdles
- Newcastle: Jim Goldie praises Paul Mulrennan for 'master ride' on Alpine Sierra after pair combine for 118-1 double
- Hereford: 'He's going great guns' - another winner for in-form Freddie Gordon as Mister Upton impresses
- Hexham: 'The horses seem to run well here' - Forest Blaze bolsters Mark Walford's impressive track record
- Warwick: 'I can’t wait for the Challow' - The New Lion's connections warm up for Grade 1 bid with Cherie D'Am's Listed win
- Taunton: spring targets await for smart prospect Alexei as German Flat import makes it two from two over hurdles
- Newcastle: Jim Goldie praises Paul Mulrennan for 'master ride' on Alpine Sierra after pair combine for 118-1 double
- Hereford: 'He's going great guns' - another winner for in-form Freddie Gordon as Mister Upton impresses
- Hexham: 'The horses seem to run well here' - Forest Blaze bolsters Mark Walford's impressive track record