Zara Phillips and Toytown Carry Olympic Torch at Cheltenham

The Queen's granddaughter and former world equestrian champion Zara Phillips, riding her retired eventer Toytown, has carried the Olympic torch across Cheltenham racecourse, as thousands of screaming fans watched her light the Olympic cauldron.

More than 16,000 people, including her mother Princess Anne, gathered on the famous racecourse's turf on Wednesday to see Phillips trot past the finishing post to the theme from the film Chariots of Fire.

Speaking after the ceremony, the 31 year old royal said she was beginning to feel the torch's weight.

"It's not too heavy when you pick it up, but if you're carrying it for a little while you can feel a little burn," she said.

Phillips, who's still hoping to compete in the London Games, closed out the fifth day of the 70-day torch relay, which has so far taken the flame across southwest England.

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• Read more and view great photos of Zara and Toytown with the torch at www.dailymail.co.uk