EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Zara Tindall among the spectators at Cheltenham Racecourse where armed thieves stole £1 million from a jeweller

Published: 22:13, 23 November 2023 | Updated: 04:17, 24 November 2023

Zara Tindall [2] was among the spectators toasting the success of the November Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, where she's a committee member.

But there was a bitter after-taste for one of those trading at the three-day meeting in Gloucestershire.

I hear that Delanns Jewels, which had a shop at the Jockey Club event, was targeted by six armed raiders as staff made their way back to their Cotswolds base. More than GBP1million of equestrian-themed jewels were stolen in the 'terrifying' incident.

'We'd just finished a day of trading and we were unloading the van with the stock at the end of the day,' a member of staff tells me. 'They must have been watching us and they took their chance.

'They took about GBP1million worth of stock. We are covered on insurance, but I can hardly bear to talk about it because I am still shaken.

The whole thing was very scary.'

A source claims the robbers were carrying weapons. 'The poor business owners were held at gunpoint,' the source says. 'They had no choice but to hand over everything.'

Zara Tindall was among the spectators toasting the success of the November Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse

Delanns Jewels, which had a shop at the Jockey Club event, was targeted by six armed raiders as staff made their way back to their Cotswolds base from the racecourse

Delanns Jewels trades from a shop in Burford, a picturesque Oxfordshire near the homes of famous figures such as Jeremy Clarkson and Kate Moss

Delanns Jewels trades from a shop in Burford, a picturesque Oxfordshire near the homes of famous figures such as Jeremy Clarkson [3] and Kate Moss.

Thames Valley Police confirms the incident. 'We are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in Burford,' a spokesman says. 'At around 6pm on Sunday a number of men have approached a car that has been parked on High Street. The men removed a number of items of jewellery from the rear of the vehicle. The men then made off in another vehicle.

'We are appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident who has not already been spoken to please come forward.'

Don't cry for me Argentina...

Sir Tim Rice, who helped turn the story of the country's former first lady, Eva Peron, into hit musical Evita, is lost for words when it comes to its wild-haired new president, Javier Milei.

'He's intriguing,' Sir Tim says of the Benny Hill lookalike. 'He seems like a loose cannon.'

Speaking at The Oldie of the Year Awards at the National Liberal Club in London, the Oscar-winning lyricist tells me: 'He seems a bit of a weirdo, but can't be worse than the past lot they've had. He's making noises about the Falklands which is annoying.'

Selfless daddy-daughter night out for Jagger duo

Sir Mick Jagger [4]'s youngest child, Deveraux, turns seven next month, but the Rolling Stones [5] star hasn't forgotten the older members of his clan.

This week, the 80-year-old singer enjoyed a night out with Jade Jagger [6], 52, his daughter with ex-wife Bianca, 78.

This week, the 80-year-old singer enjoyed a night out with Jade Jagger, 52, his daughter with ex-wife Bianca

The pair attended a screening of the film I'm Still Here at the Thirteen cocktail bar in London's Soho. The documentary explores the charity Under One Sky's bid to reach hundreds of people who were left 'locked out' on the streets during the Covid pandemic.

Jade, along with Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern, volunteered with the charity at the time.

She is Sir Mick's second oldest child, after Karis Jagger, 53, whose mother is the American actress and singer Marsha Hunt, 77.

'How insulting BBC TV News was in its treatment of Top Gear,' former presenter Chris Goffey complains of the report detailing the corporation's decision to pitstop the show following Freddie Flintoff's horror crash.

'The initial show was labelled [as having] 'cardigan-wearing presenters' when the truth is it was an entertaining and factually accurate show presented by smart, intelligent people,' says Goffey, father of Supergrass drummer Danny. Goffey Snr earned his place in Top Gear's pantheon of prangs when he overturned an Austin Maestro.

Loved-up Lily is all heart at charity shop

Lily James hasn't said a word about her personal life since she rekindled her relationship with rock star Michael Shuman, but she's keen to make a fashion statement about love.

The Downton Abbey star was one of the famous volunteers who got behind the tills at the Choose Love pop-up shop in Carnaby Street, London. It raises money to help people in refugee camps.

Lily James wore a black T-shirt emblazoned with the charity's logo, which she tucked into a satin skirt

The Downton Abbey star was one of the famous volunteers who got behind the tills at the Choose Love pop-up shop in Carnaby Street, London

Lily wore a black T-shirt emblazoned with the charity's logo, which she tucked into a satin skirt.

The actress, 34, split up with Queens of the Stone Age bassist Shuman, 38, earlier this year.

However, they reunited over the summer and were recently spotted leaving the Harold Pinter Theatre, where Lily is currently starring in the West End play Lyonesse.

Being asked to compose the theme song for a James Bond film is a great honour, but the requirement to include its title in the lyrics can be challenging.

Just ask John Taylor, the bass guitarist for Duran Duran, who performed the theme to the 1985 movie A View To A Kill, which starred Sir Roger Moore as 007.

Taylor says: 'To this day we are forever grateful that we didn't get Quantum Of Solace.'

Is it Four Funerals and a ding-dong?

Richard Curtis has revealed he's considering writing a new film, Four Funerals And A Wedding, because so many of his friends have died.

Curtis, 67, who is married to broadcaster Emma Freud, wrote the screenplay for the 1994 hit Four Weddings And A Funeral.

Richard Curtis has revealed he's considering writing a new film, Four Funerals And A Wedding, because so many of his friends have died

He says: 'Emma is trying to encourage me to write Four Funerals And A Wedding because we do go to quite a lot of funerals. And we're just arguing about the wedding because I think it should be a lovely one with young people.

'She thinks it should be a death-bed wedding - one of those ones where, just as the guy's about to conk out, he says, "Marry me", then dies as he's shoving the ring on the finger.'

Craig's creature comforts

Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood has won his battle to extend his GBP1.8 million country home - despite fears for bats and newts.

The choreographer, 58, wants a bigger entrance hall, gym and master bedroom, as well as a butler's kitchen, wine store and snug.

But his seven-bedroom house near Peterborough lies in an Amber Impact Risk Zone for great crested newts - a protected species. Bats, which are also protected, were spotted flying around, too.

Revel Horwood applied to North Northamptonshire Council for planning permission.

His home lies in a conservation area, with a Grade II-listed gate as part of the boundary wall.

Ecologists objected, citing an 'insufficient' bat survey, but council officials gave it the go-ahead after neighbours didn't object.

References

^ Richard Eden for The Daily Mail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^ Zara Tindall (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^ Jeremy Clarkson (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^ Mick Jagger (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^ Rolling Stones (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^ Jade Jagger (www.dailymail.co.uk)