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Cheltenham Festival in pictures: St Patrick's Day

Joe Giddens/PA Men dressed in orange trousers, with green jackets. They have orange ties and pocket squares. All of them are smiling and throwing their green hats in the air.Joe Giddens/PA

The penultimate day of Cheltenham Festival marked St Patrick's Day with many racegoers opting for a hint of green to celebrate.

The day saw some unexpected victories, with jockey Harry Cobden aboard Caldwell Potter for trainer Paul Nicholls.

There was also raw emotion with Irish jockey Rachel Blackmore cruising to a win in memory of her cousin, Robert Blackmore.

Overall, the day offered bursts of Irish music and dancing in this, one of the most competitive but exciting weeks of horse racing.

Mike Egerton/PA A woman smiling and wearing a green hat and glittery green four-leafed clover glasses. She has red hair and is carrying two Irish flags around her neck.Mike Egerton/PA

Irish Pride: Many racegoers opted for fancy dress or flashes of green in their garments to make the most of the St Patrick's Day-themed celebrations.

Adam Davy/PA Rachel Blackmore is smiling with her arms up sitting on a brown horse. She is wearing a black white and light pink silk with a black helmet decorated with a pink star.Adam Davy/PA

Emotional victories: Rachel Blackmore secured a triumph in the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle. Her cousin passed away at the weekend and she dedicated the win to him.

Joe Giddens/PA Actor Danny Dyer is smiling while wearing a brown blazer over a dark blue shirt. He has black-rimmed glasses with orange lenses and is holding a glass. He is standing in a crowd of people.Joe Giddens/PA

A-list racegoers: Actor and presenter Danny Dyer was one of the high-profile visitors watching the racing. Other well-known spectators included Gemma Collins and Peter Crouch.

Peter Cziborra/Reuters Harry Cobden is riding Caldwell Potter, a grey gelding, over a chase jump. He is wearing a yellow and white silk with a yellow helmet that has a red star.Peter Cziborra/Reuters

Smooth sailing: Caldwell Potter jumped well in the Jack Richards Novices' Chase, ridden by Harry Cobden, to make this race the 50th Cheltenham Win for trainer Paul Nicholls. Owner Alex Ferguson was delighted with the victory.

Mike Egerton/PA Two female spectators dressed in brown and cream outfits look to the right and cheer as they watch a race.Mike Egerton/PA

Trackside Thrills: Racegoers cheered during Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.

Peter Cziborra/Reuters A group of horses ridden by jockeys in multi-coloured silks turn a bend on the course. Behind them are grandstands packed with people.Peter Cziborra/Reuters

Action shot: American Sniper is captured here at the front, ridden by Jack Tudor in the fifth race of the day.

Mike Egerton/PA Princess Anne is in the centre of the photo. She is wearing a read coat covered in broaches. She has pearl earrings, a pink scarf and a fluffy black hat.Mike Egerton/PA

Royal Visit: The Princess Royal made an appearance at the racecourse wearing a bright read overcoat.

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