Day 3’s racing at Cheltenham 2026 is as much of a poser as the first two, with plenty of Grade Ones and tough handicaps to pick a winner from.
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Want to take a look at Day 3? Read our tips below!
*All odds are correct at time of publication but subject to change, tipped horses may also become non-runners
1.20pm – Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) – 2m1f
A big field of 22 runners kicks off Day 3, with plenty in with a chance of winning Festival glory in this valuable Grade Two contest. Bambino Fever for Willie Mullins is the hot favourite here and she has been very impressive this season, winning easily at Fairyhouse last time out. However, the only glitch on her record was a defeat to Oldschool Outlaw at Naas in December. Gordon Elliott’s horse has won a Grade Two in convincing fashion since, and she can beat her old rival once again. David Pipe’s Kingston Queen can run well at long odds. She was beaten by the brilliant Old Park Star at Cheltenham earlier this term, but won a Grade Two prize at Warwick last time out – and could outrun her price.
Selection – OLDSCHOOL OUTLAW – 9/2
Each-way – Kingston Queen – 25/1
2pm – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) – 2m4f
Another bumper field awaits in the second race, as 20 go to post for this fairly new event added to the Festival calendar. Jumping well is the name of the game for these relatively inexperienced chasers, and it could pay to side with a horse who knows what it takes to win at Cheltenham. We think Sixmilebridge is great value and could be one of the bets of the week. He won very easily at the track two runs ago, before bounding to success at Sandown on his last run. He jumps superbly and could sweep the field away with his bold front-running tactics. Stencil could be a danger to our selection. He won handsomely at Chepstow on his last run and is relatively unexposed over fences.
Selection – SIXMILEBRIDGE – 8/1
Each-way – Stencil – 9/1
2.40pm – Close Brothers’ Mares Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m4f
After two big fields, this race only has seven set to lineup, but all seven have quality form in the book, having risen through the rank of female novice hurdlers this season. Wodhooh is the worthy favourite and an unimaginative choice as the winner. Her form is rock-solid and she is unbeaten in two runs at Cheltenham. She ran Lossiemouth close at Aintree last April and is hard to oppose. The biggest danger could come from main market rival, Jade du Grugy. She cruised to victory at Thurles last time and should fill the runner-up spot.
Selection – WODHOOH – 8/11
3.20pm – Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 3m
The Stayers’ Hurdle is always one of the highlights of the Cheltenham Festival and some big names such as Big Buck’s and Baracouda have won this race on multiple occasions. The favourite, Teahupoo, looks set to join those legendary Staying Hurdlers as a multiple winner of this great contest. He is back for a fourth crack at this, having won in 2024, and was narrow runner-up to Bob Olinger last year. He slammed his old rival at Leopardstown last time and is picked to frank that form again. Kabral Du Mathan is the new kid on the block in the Stayers Division, and he has been mightily impressive this term. He may not win this renewal, but is a future winner of this race in the making.
Selection – TEAHUPOO – 5/2
Danger – Kabral Du Mathan – 4/1
4pm – Ryanair Chase – 2m4f
The big chase of the day is the Ryanair Chase, a contest that Ireland has dominated over the years. With just nine runners set to go to post, Fact to File is the odds-on favourite for the Mullins team. He hasn’t been at his best this campaign, but beat Gaelic Warrior at Leopardstown recently. We think he is opposable at his current odds and we like the look of the incredible Jonbon to run well at this distance. He has never finished out of the first two in his career when he has completed the course, and he has been in good form lately. Jonbon could bring the house down with a win.
Selection – JONBON – 6/1
4.40pm – Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle – 3m
The penultimate race of day Day 3 is another of those headscratchers, as plenty line-up with a big chance in this helter-skelter three-mile hurdle. Once again, you need a bit of luck in running, and a horse and jockey who can avoid traffic issues coming round the final bend. We think this prize can stay in the UK, and C’est Different is our selection here. He has won on both starts this season and likes to be up with the pace, where trouble can be avoided. He is an improving type and can land this race for trainer, Sam Thomas. At longer odds, Champagne Chic is one to note. He has won well on his last two outings and can have a say at the finish.
Selection – C’EST DIFFERENT – 8/1
Each-way – Champagne Chic – 20/1
5.20pm – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup – 3m2f
The final race of Day 3 is strictly for amateur jockeys only. Some very experienced horses are set to run in a bumper field and a lot of these have good form in the book around the track. Derek O’Connor is one of the best amateur jockeys on the block and his booking for Nicky Henderson’s Jeriko du Reponet could be an inspired one. He is a classy horse in a race of this nature and he could carry top weight to victory.
Selection – JERIKO DU REPONET– 4/1
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