From elaborate hats to colourful coats and skyscraper heels, this week's Cheltenham Festival has proved as memorable for its  fashion as it has for the drama unfolding on the course. But today, racing fans were left shivering in their flimsy frocks as the heavens opened and gave everyone a soaking. Luckily, most had come prepared with umbrellas, turning the racecourse into a sea of bright colour as the brollies were unfurled. Beneath them were racegoers dressed in an array of colourful ensembles, with some braving the downpour in bare legs and spike heels while trying desperately to keep their elaborate titfers dry. Scroll down for video . Chilly: A couple of ladies chose to brave the cold weather in bare legs and platform shoes, even leaving warm coats at home . Brrrr! Racegoers were left shivering after the heavens opened on the fourth and final day of this year's Cheltenham Festival . Well prepared: Most had come prepared with umbrellas but a few chose to brave the chill in bare legs regardless . Hidden: A lady arrives well wrapped up in a chic green tweed coat but is almost totally obscured behind her umbrella . Watch the hair! Others took shelter beneath large hats but those wearing fascinators had no choice but to carry a brolly . Not put off: It might have been raining but that didn't stop many racegoers from ramping up the glamour in their spike heels . Not impressed: Although some appeared to be enjoying the rain, others - particularly those with suspect brollies - looked less thrilled . Others went down a more practical route, wrapping up in cosy fur coats and oversized hats. More still, perhaps with an eye to the weather rather than fashion, shucked off their finery and replaced it with waterproof cagoules. Despite the downpours, most of the men and women arriving for the final day of racing action managed to look cheerful - perhaps with the prospect of seeing veteran jockey AP McCoy compete in the final Gold Cup of his career in mind. McCoy, who has won the prestigious trophy no fewer than five times during his 20-year career, will compete for the final time aboard the hotly-tipped Irish bay gelding, Carlingford Lough. 'It's impossible to not back AP McCoy's last ever ride in the Gold Cup,' comments Ladbroke's Jessica Bridge. 'It would be a fairytale end to a glittering career for the 20-time champion jockey. Back again: Zara Tindall returned for the fourth day in a row and looked chic in her brown wool coat by Irish designer, Paul Costelloe . Good look: The Queen's granddaughter opted for a striking Rosie Olivia cocktail hat topped with traditional pheasant feathers . Family outing: Zara was later joined by her mother Princess Anne and her husband Mike Tindall . Enjoying their day: Zara and Mike enjoy a chat during their day out at Cheltenham in a row . Close: Zara gives her mother Princess Anne a kiss on the cheek (left) and right, Zara and Mike pay close attention to the action . Zara and Mike share a joke with their friend as they look through the programme . The progress of the race can be tracked by Zara's expression, from contemplative to anxious then resigned to defeat... But she seemed happy with the end result, centre, while Mike was also in high spirits, right . Making an entrance: Princess Anne arrived at Cheltenham having spent the morning at a service for soldiers in London . Anne was pictured cheering passionately during the race . The royal was gripped by the action and cheered and clapped as the horses races past their seats . Anne appears to be celebrating as she punches the air after the race . Day out: A beaming Strictly Come Dancing star Ola Jordan arrived hand-in-hand with husband James . 'Silviniaco Conti might be the heavily backed favourite, yet there's still question marks whether he can finally make it third time lucky at Cheltenham, but for the old romantics there's only one man that can win this year's Gold Cup, and it's AP McCoy.' Also on hand to see McCoy compete in his final Gold Cup was Zara Tindall who arrived looking glamorous in a brown wool coat by Irish designer Paul Costelloe and sporting a chic cocktail hat decorated with traditional pheasant feathers. Zara's appearance made it a full four out of four for the Queen's granddaughter, who made her first visit to the racecourse on Tuesday where she saw her and husband Mike's horse Monbeg Dude fail to deliver and take a lowly 14th place in his race. She reappeared for a second time on Ladies' Day and opted for another Costelloe ensemble, this time a black and grey checked coat and a detailed black cocktail hat. For the second day in a row, she spent most of her time watching the action unfold from the grandstand and chose not to join her aunt, the Duchess of Cornwall, in her private box. Today saw Zara joined for the event by her mother Princess Anne, who arrived in the early afternoon having come direct from a service held to honour the fallen of Afghanistan at St. Paul's Cathedral. Splash of colour: Brightly dressed racegoers ensured the final day of Cheltenham wasn't without colour . Braving the rain: A lady in a wonderful crimson hat and matching scarf brandishes her umbrella as she arrives . Messy! A lady braves the rain in a pair of white jeans and an elegant fur-trimmed eau-de-nil coat . Having fun: Racing fans, among them Robbie Savage and his wife (left), appeared to be enjoying their day in spite of the rain . A tale of two racegoers: While some opted for practical boots and raincoats, others chose flimsy frocks and high-heeled sandals . Sensible: The vast majority chose to strike a balance between the two extremes and teamed their heeled shoes with trousers . Staying dry: A lady arrives wearing a pack-a-mac while others are forced to shelter beneath copies of the Racing Post . Stepping out for the final time: AP McCoy prepares to mount his horse ahead of the first race of the day, the JCB Triumph Hurdle . Wet weather: Racegoers enjoy a chat beside the empty parade ring as the final day of the Cheltenham Festival gets underway . Dreary: After three beautiful days of sunshine, the heavens opened as racegoers arrived for the final day of Cheltenham . Wet: Despite the awful weather, racegoers carrying bright umbrellas livened up the scene courtesy of colourful brollies .
Temperatures took a turn for the worse as the final day of the Cheltenham Festival got underway this morning . Zara Tindall and Ola Jordan were among the racegoers waiting to see the biggest race of the week, the Gold Cup . Princess Anne was also at the races and went straight there after attending a service at St. Paul's in London . Most came prepared for the rain with brollies and cagoules but some were left to shiver in their flimsy frocks .