Cheltenham Festival 2013: guard stops Zara Phillips crossing parade ring

She may be the Queen’s grand-daughter but that did not stop security guards at Cheltenham Festival from blocking Zara Phillips access to the parade ring today.

Zara Phillips, accompanied by her husband, Mike Tindall, was prevented from crossing the winner’s circle after one race

The Princess Royal's daughter was left unimpressed by the actions of overzealous security who appeared not to recognise her on the opening day of the racing event.

The 31 year-old, accompanied by her husband, Mike Tindall, the former England rugby captain, was prevented from crossing the parade ring after one race.

Dressed in a cream coat and purple hat with a pair of feathers, the Olympic Silver medallist at last year's London games was seen in animated discussion with the guard, who refused to budge.

She was eventually let through and was later seen laughing off the incident with her 34 year-old husband, who she married in 2011. She was also seen enjoying festivies with jockey AP McCoy's wife, Chanelle.

Organisers tonight backed the unnamed guard who was “doing his job” by keeping the safety of guests paramount.

A Cheltenham Festival spokesman said: “After each race we have a line of security guards in the middle of the parade ring, whose job it is to stop people walking from one side to the other in front of the winning and placed horses who are about to walk in.

“That is what happened in this case. We would support the actions of the stewards 100 per cent.

“He was doing his job and looking after the safety of the public, which at that point she is a member of.”

A spokeswoman for Ms Phillips, who has recently moved into her mother’s Gatcombe Park estate near Minchinhampton, Glos, did not return calls tonight.

Despite the weather, almost 60,000 punters descended on the Gloucestershire town yesterday to see Hurricane Fly, become the first horse for 38 years to regain the Champion Hurdle title.

The horse, ridden by Co Kildare-born jockey Ruby Walsh, won the race in 2011.

The festival went ahead with a 35-minute delay to the first race after clerk of the course Simon Claisse was forced to call a 10.30am inspection following a minus 12C wind chill overnight.