Day three of the Cheltenham Festival, traditionally known as St Patrick’s Thursday is the only day of the festival that includes two feature races: the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers Hurdle.
After a great day of racing yesterday let’s see what day three has in store.
13:20 – Ryanair mares’ novices’ Hurdle
Another maximum field starts day three, and in this grade two match up we see Bambino Fever at the top of the betting order as he looks set to set off as favourite.
Last year’s Champion Bumper winner has now moved to hurdles and has impressed winning in his last appearance at Sandown, she also possesses a good turn of foot so should be the one to beat.
Her biggest challenge should be Oldschool Outlaw, trained by Gordon Elliot, the mare beat Bambino Fever by half a length in their last meeting, if anyone was to beat the favourite this is the one to watch.
I genuinely dont see Bambino Fever beating Oldschool Outlaw 🤔
— Daniel James Racing 🐎 (@DanJamesRacing) February 26, 2026
Oldschool Outlaw has beaten her already, she looked class last time, keeps improving!
Shes looks a weapon! pic.twitter.com/u7hrbiatY0
14:00 – Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase
This is a tricky novices handicap and one that may be worth a miss punting wise, a 19 horse field with no outright favourite shows how close it’s expected to be.
Regent’s Stroll will most likely go off as favourite, and looks a real fluent jumper.
Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden both will be optimistic he’ll outperform his handicap especially given his recent performances in tight fields.
Slade Steel for Henry De Bromhead will have a real chance as well, experienced around a high level of competition for a novice and will hope to have a clean round of jumps to be there with a chance following the bend.
🤞 Henry de Bromhead on SLADE STEEL, per @kevinblake2011:
— Road To Cheltenham (@RoadCheltenham) October 26, 2025
"He’s back and in great shape. He’s still a maiden over fences and getting him back to the sort of form he was in during his novice hurdle campaign is the obvious goal."pic.twitter.com/8ugaaUI5pm
14:40 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
The Mares Hurdle is a grade 1 contest and one that is usually a very exciting race, the decision for Lossiemouth to run in the champion hurdle paid off for Willie Mullins but it’s also made this one far more interesting.
Wodhooh will be most peoples choice coming into this one and there’s no surprise when taking into account the mares past races, her only loss over hurdles being at the hands of the new Champion Hurdle winner.
Mullins will be hoping he still comes out with a winner in this one regardless of Lossiemouth’s vacancy, Jade De Grugy looks to be Wodhooh’s biggest test and with Paul Townsend riding could have a great shot if she’s at her best.
⭐️ She’s won ten races in a row! ⭐️
— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) December 29, 2025
WOODHOOH extends her winning sequence to 🔟 wins in a row under Jack Kennedy in the Grade 3 Hurdle.
😍 She’s been a star for @gelliott_racing and The Sundowners Partnership.
pic.twitter.com/gXAk5IDRZf
15:20 – Paddy power Stayers Hurdle
This is the first of two feature races that take place today, and as of the time of writing it looks to be a real close race with two joint favourites.
Kabral Du Muthan looks like a good option in this one, winning last time out at the Cheltenham Trials day beating yesterday’s winner Jangko Blue, Dan Skelton trained and with brother Harry skeleton aboard he easily has enough potential to win.
Teahupoo is also one to watch, runner up in this race last year will be hoping to go one better this time out.
Bob Olinger was last year’s winner but could potentially have his best years behind him but definitely still deserves respect in what is a wide open race.
Bob Olinger lands his third victory at the Cheltenham Festival with Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle glory 🏆 pic.twitter.com/exR2TKKK0d
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 13, 2025
16:00 – Ryanair Chase
Another grade 1 race and the main event of St Patrick’s Day at Cheltenham Festival, a 2m4f contest that falls between the distances of the Champion Chase and Gold Cup.
Last year’s winner Fact To File will be back running at the Ryanair chase, the decision to not run him in The Gold Cup can be questioned but there is no doubt that he will be the one to beat.
Another to watch has to be Jonbon, the ten year old having never finished outside the top two in any of his races, is it time he finally gets a grade one win at Cheltenham?
🟢🟡 Not saying FACT TO FILE runs or doesn't run but recall Willie Mullins quotes in @SportingLife after the King George.
— Road To Cheltenham (@RoadCheltenham) March 12, 2026
"Mark Walsh said Fact To File found the ground too good for him and we’ll probably keep him to a softer surface in the future."pic.twitter.com/QnCv76ccyS
16:40 – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
One of the most competitive handicap hurdles of the festival, a 2m7f race awaits 24 horses who were required to finish in the top six in one of the 21 Pertemps qualifying races that run throughout the season.
Supremely West leads the betting currently for Dan Skelton, the eight year olds staying ability gives him a chance but I see more value in other horses in the race.
One being Bold Endeavour who has ran and done well in major handicaps in the past, including a run in this race in 2024 where he placed in fourth off 13lb higher.
Nice type! Bold Endeavour's jumping wasn't perfect but asserts himself well to make it two from two for @sevenbarrows under @NdeBoinville! @DoncasterRaces pic.twitter.com/xWvoAGuu1k
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 10, 2023
