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The Cheltenham Festival rolls on into its third day on Thursday after two spellbinding days of action on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Day three’s has twin main events, the Paddy power Stayers’ Hurdle (4.00) and the Ryanair Chase (3.20), both of which this year have drawn top-class fields.
Last year’s winner Teahupoo is favourite to defend his crown in the Stayers’, while one-time Gold Cup favourite Fact To File heads the market for the Ryanair.
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Cheltenham Festival day 3 tips
1.20: Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Marcus Armytage: Sixandahalf. Useful on the Flat and a wide margin winner of her only start over hurdles.
Charlie Brooks: Aurora Vega. Daughter of Quevega, who has won her last two starts at Fairyhouse, and improving all the time.
Marlborough: Karoline Banbou. Much improved second Irish start and further progression would see her go well here.
2.00: Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
Marcus Armytage: Springwell Bay. Won on Trials day a shade too well but maybe still be good enough to cope with top weight.
Charlie Brooks: Firefox. Could just be a different class to these, judged by his third at Leopardstown behind Majborough
Marlborough: Densworth. Talented but inconsistent – first start after wind surgery and a break might be the time to catch him at big odds.
2.40: Pertemps Final (Grade 3)
Marcus Armytage: Super Survivor. Trainer punches above his weight at the meeting, good stayer and comfortable winner last time out.
Charlie Brooks: Will The Wise. A hardened battler, which is what you need in the race. Loved the way he slugged it out last time at Navan.
Marlborough: Catch Him Derry. Still looks progressive and feasibly treated for a stable to keep on the right side of in handicaps.
3.20: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
Marcus Armytage: Il Est Francais. Runner up in the King George when he did not quite get home, should run them ragged here.
Charlie Brooks: Protektorat. Dan Skelton seems to think he has this guy in the form of his life – confirmed by his run at Windsor.
Marlborough: Fact To File. Proven Grade 1 winner at the track and this intermediate test looks the right one at this stage of his career.
4.00: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Marcus Armytage: Lucky Place. Untried over the trip but much improved stepping up in distance to two miles and a half miles.If he gets home he wins.
Charlie Brooks: Teahupoo. Last year’s winner, and no reason why he wont do it again – Has has a light campaign with this the target.
Marlborough: The Wallpark. Big eyecatcher last time when the pace setup didn’t suit and this unexposed stayer looks sure to be finishing well.
4.40: TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Marcus Armytage: Conflated. One time very useful the key here is Rob James who claims 7lbs despite having ridden 350 point-to-point winners.
Charlie Brooks: Jordans. Six-year-old novice with loads of improvement still to come.
Marlborough: Jagwar. Well-weighted novice who comes here as owner’s sole representative having been mob handed with options.
5.20: JRL Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Listed)
Marcus Armytage: Walking On Air. Came to win a big Doncaster handicap last time out only to fall at last. If he is over it he has an outstanding chance.
Charlie Brooks: Johnnywho. You need the right jockey on your side in the amateur races, and there is no better that Derek O’Connor. Owner and trainer also know how to get one for the festival.
Marlborough: Wiseguy. Lightly raced 9yo who won under hands and heels at Newbury and could be about to put in a career best.
Cheltenham Festival day 3 ground and weather
Yesterday’s surprise snow did little to affect ground conditions at Cheltenham, with the going today still listed as good to soft as the meeting switches to the new course. The weather in Cheltenham will be overcast for much of the morning with some sunny spells coming later in the afternoon, as well as the possibility of a few showers. Highs of 7C.
Betting on Cheltenham?
There’s a lot of competition between bookmakers for customers during the festival and they will often run their best promotions of the year, especially earlier in the week. Take a look at these Cheltenham betting offers to find free bets to use throughout the week.
How to watch Cheltenham Festival day 3
ITV will show the first six races of the day on ITV1 on free-to-air television and via its streaming platform ITVX. For full coverage of all seven races, you need a Racing TV subscription.
Betting on the Cheltenham Festival? Find our best Cheltenham free bets and Cheltenham betting offers to take advantage of between March 11 and March 14, 2025.