DAY 3 – THURSDAY 12TH MARCH 2026 – ST PATRICK’S THURSDAY
The feature race on Day 3 is The Stayers Hurdle 2026 and every race fan is looking forward to seeing if Teahupoo can make it a double, having won the race in 2024 before finishing runner-up in 2025.
For early value before the festival, see our Cheltenham 2026 ante-post betting tips covering all four championship races and key supporting events.
The Stayers Hurdle has been won by some greats over the last decade, including the Paul Nicholls-trained Big Bucks who was a four-time winner of the race in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. This year’s renewal looks set to be another cracker with Teahupoo, Honesty Policy and the evergreen Bob Olinger all vying for glory.
With seven races each day, it gives many options from a betting perspective. You could go for all seven races and place a bet like a Super Heinz, or maybe get rid of a race with an odds-on favourite and go for a bet like a Lucky 63.
Please note: 2026 sees a significant change to the Day 3 running order. The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle has moved from Day 1 to Day 3, swapping places with the Plate Handicap Chase. This gives St Patrick’s Thursday an extra Grade 1 race and showcases the mares’ division on the traditional Irish celebration day.
- 13:20 The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle)
- 14:00 The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
- 14:40 The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 15:20 The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 16:00 The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
- 16:40 The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) (Premier Handicap)
- 17:20 The Rosconn Group Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145)
Although we love to reminisce about these old national hunt warriors, you are not here for my trip down memory lane and the past winners, but to try and find this year’s winner, so let’s get right into the action and our Cheltenham Festival Preview Day 3.
13:20 THE Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Dawn Run)
We kick off proceedings on Day 3 with the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, a race that Willie Mullins won the first five renewals of before going through a barren spell. This year, he looks set to reassert his dominance with the Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever.
This is one of the newer races at the festival, having been run for the first time in 2016, and it has provided some spectacular finishes over the years. The distance is two miles and half a furlong, which really suits those progressive bumper graduates making the switch to hurdles.
We picked out three horses on the 2026 Cheltenham Festival Preview page at the end of January but once the final declarations are announced, our expert Richard Smith will be analysing each runner’s chance and giving you his tips for the race.
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RACE ANALYSIS & SELECTIONS
FORM PICK
The opening race on Day 3 is the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and Bambino Fever 7/4 will be looking to bring up another win at the Cheltenham Festival for Willie Mullins. This Champion Bumper winner won impressively at Fairyhouse in January and her chance is there for all to see, though she could well go off shorter come race day.
However, she’ll face some stiff competition from Oldschool Outlaw 4/1 who actually beat Bambino Fever on their hurdling debuts before going on to win the Solerina Novice Hurdle. This one clearly has ability and would represent a good each-way play if the market leaders drift.
But at bigger value, we like the chances of MILLE ET UNE VIES 8/1 EW who is trained by Dan Skelton and has been improving with every run this season. She won well at Cheltenham in December and looks sure to put up a bold effort on her return to Prestbury Park.
14:00 The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
The second race on Day 3 is the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, a race that has been part of the festival since 2005. Run over roughly two and a half miles, this Grade 2 contest is limited to horses rated 0-145 and often throws up an exciting finish.
This is a race that punters love to get stuck into, with competitive fields and often decent value to be found down the weights. It’s worth noting that British trainers have had a better record in this race compared to some of the other chases on the card, so don’t automatically discount the home team.
We mentioned a couple of potential runners for this on our 2026 Cheltenham Festival Preview page, but when the final fields are announced, our expert Richard Smith will be doing his very best to pick out a longshot to back each way.
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31/12/2023
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1967
Warrington, UK
RACE ANALYSIS & SELECTIONS
FORM PICK
The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase is a race where the market is still forming, which gives us plenty of opportunities to find some value once the weights are published and the field takes shape.
This is a race that often rewards those horses who have shown a liking for Cheltenham’s unique undulations, so keep an eye out for any runner who has won previously at the track. British-trained horses have a solid record here, so don’t be afraid to go against the Irish raiders if you spot something you like.
Once we have the final declarations and weights, we’ll be back with our best bets for this competitive handicap chase.
14:40 THE Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
It’s race three on Day 3 and we have a huge addition to the card for 2026 – the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle has moved from Champion Day to St Patrick’s Thursday, and what a race it promises to be. Lossiemouth is looking to make it three wins in a row in this race, which would be an extraordinary achievement in the modern era.
The big question is whether Lossiemouth opts for this race or takes on the boys in the Champion Hurdle. She ran a cracker when second to Brighterdaysahead in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, and connections will have a tough decision to make. If she does come here, she’ll likely go off odds-on and will take all the beating.
Once we have the final declarations, our expert Richard Smith will be looking to post up his thoughts on which horse looks the value bet for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.
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RACE ANALYSIS & SELECTIONS
FORM PICK
This looks like a fantastic addition to Day 3 and assuming she runs here rather than in the Champion Hurdle, Lossiemouth EVS will be an extremely tough nut to crack. She’s won this race for the last two years and Willie Mullins has her in tremendous form. A third successive win would cement her legacy as one of the great mares.
However, racing is never a certainty and Wodhooh 5/1 could be the one to upset the applecart. This mare has been progressive all season and if the ground is on the softer side, she could well outrun her odds and give the favourite something to think about.
The one we like for a bit of value is Dan Skelton’s LISTENTOYOURHEART 10/1 EW who has been running some solid races this season and looks sure to put up a bold effort. She handles the track well and at double-figure odds represents decent each-way value in what could be a two-horse race.
15:20 THE Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
The feature race on Day 3 is the Stayers Hurdle and this year’s renewal looks absolutely fascinating. Teahupoo will be looking to win the race for the second time, having taken the crown in 2024 before being pipped into second place in 2025. He’s had a superb autumn campaign, winning both the Hatton’s Grace and Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Even without some of the old warriors from previous years, we still have a cracker in store with Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo facing off against Willie Mullins’ duo of Honesty Policy and Impose Toi. We’ll also see the remarkable Bob Olinger trying to make it four wins from four Festival appearances at the grand old age of eleven.
The British challenge is headed by Ma Shantou, who won the Cleeve Hurdle on Trials Day and looks to have a solid chance if handling the pressure of the big day. Once the final declarations are posted on the Racing Post and Sporting Life websites, our tipster Richard Smith can point you in the way of a couple of potential each-way bets.
RACE ANALYSIS & SELECTIONS
FORM PICK
The Stayers Hurdle has so many intriguing storylines lined up and is a cracking race. Teahupoo 7/4 is the favourite and deservedly so after his superb autumn campaign. He won this race in 2024, finished runner-up in 2025, and looks to have all the attributes needed to reclaim his crown. Gordon Elliott clearly has him spot-on for another tilt at this.
However, Willie Mullins has two live chances with Honesty Policy 4/1 who won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree last year and represents fresh blood in the division. He’s a class act and will be right there at the finish. Don’t discount Impose Toi 14/1 either, who has won his last three including the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and could be a nice outsider play.
Then we have the remarkable Bob Olinger 7/1 who is now eleven years old but has a flawless Festival record of three wins from three runs. Henry de Bromhead’s stable star is the defending champion and it would be foolish to write him off, even at his age. What a story it would be if he could make it four from four.
The pick for us is TEAHUPOO 7/4 WIN who just looks to have everything in his favour. He’s in the form of his life, loves the track, and has unfinished business after last year’s second place. This looks like his year to reclaim the crown.
16:00 THE Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
The fifth race of the day is the Ryanair Chase, the intermediate distance Grade 1 that sits perfectly between the Champion Chase and the Gold Cup. This race over two and a half miles has become one of the highlights of the Festival and usually attracts a top-quality field.
The big question this year is whether Fact To File defends his crown here or gets supplemented for the Gold Cup. If he stays in the Ryanair, he’ll likely go off odds-on and will be incredibly hard to beat. If he moves to the Gold Cup, then his stablemate Gaelic Warrior will take over favouritism and would be equally tough to oppose.
Jonbon could also feature after winning the Clarence House at Ascot in January, though connections have the option of the Champion Chase too. Once we get the final declarations, our expert Richard Smith will be doing his best to pick out a couple of value bets that you might want to back each-way.
RACE ANALYSIS & SELECTIONS
FORM PICK
This looks like a cracking renewal of the Ryanair and the market is currently headed by Fact To File 2/1 who is the reigning champion and won the Irish Gold Cup in scintillating style. However, there’s a real chance he gets supplemented for the Gold Cup, which would leave the door wide open for others.
If Fact To File does move to the Gold Cup, then stablemate Gaelic Warrior 5/2 would likely take over as favourite. He’s a former Arkle winner who finished second in the Irish Gold Cup behind Fact To File and this intermediate trip looks ideal for him. Ruby Walsh has already said that one of these two Willie Mullins horses will definitely run here.
Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon 6/1 won the Clarence House at Ascot and could feature here if connections decide against the Champion Chase. He’s a class act on his day and would give the Mullins duo something to think about.
Our selection is whichever Mullins horse ends up here – most likely GAELIC WARRIOR 5/2 WIN if Fact To File is supplemented for the Gold Cup. He looks a rock-solid favourite for this intermediate trip and should put up a bold effort.
16:40 The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) (Premier Handicap)
The penultimate race of the day is one of my personal favourites of the week as the staying handicap hurdlers do battle. We are always treated to a big field, and often we’ll see a big price winner in this race, so it’s worth trying to pick out a couple against the field at juicy double-figure odds and maybe trying your luck for a big dividend with a combination tricast.
This race is run over three miles and is restricted to horses who have qualified through one of the regional Pertemps qualifying races held throughout the season. The qualification system means we often get a competitive field with horses coming into the race in good form, which makes for a fascinating betting heat.
We mentioned some potential qualifiers for this on our 2026 Cheltenham Festival Preview page, but when the final fields are announced, our expert Richard Smith will be doing his very best to pick out a double carpet (33/1) shot to back each way.
RACE ANALYSIS & SELECTIONS
FORM PICK
The Pertemps Network Final is a race where the market is still forming as the qualification races are ongoing. This is a brilliant betting opportunity as we often see horses qualify who are relatively unknown to the wider public but are in cracking form.
History tells us that this race often goes to a horse rated around 135-140, so look for those coming up the weights rather than those at the top of the handicap. Stamina is absolutely key over this three-mile trip, especially if the ground rides testing, so previous form over similar distances is crucial.
Once we have the final qualifiers and declarations, we’ll be back with our best each-way bets for this competitive staying handicap hurdle. This is the race where a bit of homework can really pay dividends.
17:20 The Rosconn Group Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145)
The final race of the day is the amateur riders Gold Cup, now sponsored by the Rosconn Group. This race which is named after one racing and one military legend has been a part of the festival for many years and always throws up a fantastic finish.
Run over three miles and two furlongs, you need a true stayer to win the race and the amateur jockeys really earn their corn in what is a gruelling test. It’s worth noting that the leading amateur riders often have an excellent record in this race, so keep an eye out for the likes of Derek O’Connor, Patrick Mullins, and Jamie Codd when the declarations come out.
That is what we will be looking for from our expert Richard Smith as he tries to give you a couple against the field. This race can often throw up a big-priced winner, so it’s definitely worth having an each-way play if you can find something you fancy.
RACE ANALYSIS & SELECTIONS
FORM PICK
The last race of the day is the Amateurs Gold Cup, the Kim Muir, and with a new sponsor in the Rosconn Group, there’s added interest in this year’s renewal. The market is still forming for this race, which is no surprise given it’s a competitive handicap chase over a stamina-sapping trip.
What we do know is that stamina is absolutely paramount here. Three miles and two furlongs at Cheltenham is a serious test, and when you add in amateur riders who may not be quite as effective as the professionals at conserving their mount’s energy, you need a proper stayer.
Look for horses who have won over three miles or further, have a good relationship with their amateur rider, and ideally have some previous Cheltenham form. Once we have the final declarations and can assess the weights, we’ll be back with our best each-way selections for this fascinating race that closes out Day 3.
Final Thoughts
From the racing perspective, Day 3 has been given a real boost with the addition of the Mares’ Hurdle to the card. If Lossiemouth runs here rather than in the Champion Hurdle, we could well see history being made with a third successive win in the race. The Stayers Hurdle looks set to be another cracker with Teahupoo looking to reclaim his crown, while the Ryanair Chase will depend entirely on whether Fact To File is supplemented for the Gold Cup or stays put to defend his crown. It’s shaping up to be another tremendous day of racing on St Patrick’s Thursday.
