Carol Vorderman stuns in green with other racegoers as they go for traditional St Patrick's Day theme at Cheltenham | The Sun

THOUSANDS of racegoers will be hoping the luck of the Irish is on their side today as St Patrick’s Thursday kicks off at Cheltenham.

Day three of the racing bonanza is underway and many glamorous attendees are wearing bold, green ensembles in honour of the occasion.

Daring mini dresses have been all the rage at Cheltenham today and guests appear in high spirits for today’s event. 

And many are clearly hoping their shamrock-themed outfits will bring them luck with their bets today.

And it’s not just the ladies having fun with the dress code.

Numerous men have flocked to the racecourse matching green suits – with themed shamrock ties and hats – with the occasion guest dressed in a fluffy ginger beard.

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Cheltenham Festival 2023 is running over four days – from Tuesday to Friday – at Prestbury Park Racecourse, also known as Cheltenham Racecourse.

Each day ITV are broadcasting five of the seven races and coverage will kick off on ITV1 at 1pm and finish at 4.30pm each day.

Around 250,000 people are expected to attend over the course of the four-day event.

Last year was the first time crowds have been allowed back to the Cheltenham Festival since the 2020 meeting when the coronavirus pandemic kicked in.

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We recently shared how horse racing has officially ditched its formal dress code with immediate effect – meaning punters can wear what they want to Cheltenham Festival.

The Jockey Club has said racegoers can wear what they like, within reason, at any of their 15 racecourses.

The only exception to the new rule is the Queen Elizabeth II stand on Epsom Derby Day – and those racecourses not owned by The Jockey Club including the likes of Ascot and its Royal meeting.

'Offensive' fancy dress or offensive clothing of any kind and replica sports shirts remain on the banned list.

Bosses said the radical move was a bid to make racing more 'accessible and inclusive' – although Nigel Farage said it was a sign there are 'no standards left in this country'.

Rather than digging out the old tweed, chiefs want punters to 'dress as you feel most comfortable and confident'.

Explaining the decision, Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive at The Jockey Club, said: "Horseracing has always been a sport enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds and it’s really important to us to be accessible and inclusive.

"We hope that by no longer placing an expectation upon people of what they should and shouldn’t wear we can help highlight that racing really is for everyone.”

SunSport has you covered here for all the runners and riders, with our race-by-race schedule, TV and streaming guide.

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