Day 3 of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival will see us pass the halfway point and the tough betting propositions keep on coming, as a selection of handicaps and graded races fill Thursday’s card. Take a look at our horse racing betting selections and host of sports betting online.
For the best Day 3 action, check out our in-depth guide.
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*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
This is a new race added to the Festival line-up and once again, Willie Mullins has an intriguing contender with the unexposed Maughreen. Undoubtedly, she has been very impressive in her two starts at Punchestown and won easily on her hurdles debut last time out. However, her jumping was sticky and she can be topped here. The British contingent have some real live chances, most notably with Paul Nicholls’ Jubilee Alpha. She is an improver, having won valuable prizes at Taunton and Windsor in her last two starts and seems the type who could run a big race. At bigger odds, we like the look of Bluey. She finished just behind our selection at Windsor and can frank the form here.
Selection – JUBILEE ALPHA – 15/2
Each-way – Bluey – 16/1
2pm – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 1) – 2m4f
Registered as the Golden Miller, this is definitely one of the harder graded races to pick a winner from, with a host of horses in with a shout of etching their name into Cheltenham folklore. With that in mind, we have gone for Jonjo O’Neill’s Springwell Boy. He has some excellent form in the book and won his last race over course and distance on New Year’s Day. He has been primed for this race and is set for a big run. He is our tentative selection over Firefox. For those each-way backers, we think Lord of Thunder will run well. He showed a bucketload of courage to win at Newbury last time out and runs for a stable in good form.
Selection – SPRINGWELL BOY – 11/2
Each-way – Lord of Thunder – 11/1
2.40pm – Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle – 3m
It is another one of those Cheltenham handicaps that just prove a real poser for punters. A maximum field will unquestionably line-up for this contest over a gruelling three miles, so you need a horse that stays and likes the rough and tumble of big fields. Our selection is one that will always give you a run for your money, so we feel that Will the Wise is the horse to be on. He is in great heart at the moment, winning his last two races and showing grit and determination in abundance. At a bigger price, Franciscan Rock could outrun his odds. He has been in great form this term, will stay the trip and can play a role at the finish.
Selection – WILL THE WISE – 10/1
Each-way – Franciscan Rock – 24/1
3.20pm – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) – 2m4f
This race normally attracts just a few of the best middle-distance chasers from both sides of the Irish Sea, but that doesn’t make it any less tricky to pick a winner from. The likes of Allaho have previously emerged victorious and added this prestigious prize to their CVs and we think the 2025 edition can go the way of France with Il Est Francais. He ran well at Kempton in the King George, coming a narrow second to Banbridge on Boxing Day. He has had a break since Kempton and is fancied to win this. Fact to File, trained by Mullins, is the danger.
Selection – IL EST FRANCAIS – 3/1
4pm – Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 3m
The best of the best over a long distance tackle the Cheltenham hill at the finish after an electric three-mile race round Prestbury Park. The likes of Baracouda and Big Buck’s have won this contest on more than one occasion and we think Teahupoo can join those legends with a second success in this coveted race. He won in great style to defeat Flooring Porter in last year’s renewal and ran a good race over an unsuitable distance last time out, losing narrowly to the talented Lossiemouth. It may not be the most imaginative pick but he will be too good for this field. At slightly longer odds, the improving Lucky Place may nick second. Nicky Henderson’s improving six-year-old won a valuable prize round the track last time out and may give Teahupoo most to think about.
Selection – TEAHUPOO – 7/4
Each-way – Lucky Place – 7/1
4.40pm – TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase – 2m4f
Yet another big prize, big field and big problems in picking a winner here! As ever with a Festival handicap, there are a dozen or more horses that have the potential to win but obviously only one can. With a maximum field of 24 to go to post, we have whittled it down to two and we think it could be a British 1-2, with Masaccio getting the nod. He has been tough and consistent all season and the rough nature of this contest could be right up his street. He has bumped into the talented The Jukebox Man and Jagwar in his last three starts, running well every time and has that touch of class that can win this. Panic Attack, trained by Dan Skelton, can fill the places. She is a tough and consistent mare and is having a good season. She has run well at the track before and can give our selection most to think about.
Selection – MASACCIO – 10/1
Each-way – Panic Attack – 12/1
5.20pm – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup – 3m2f
The concluding race of Day 3 is this Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup, run over the Gold Cup distance. This race is only for amateur jockeys and can propel them into the limelight should they win. As ever, horses that can stay this marathon distance need to be considered, so we have plumped for Midnight Our Fred in this competitive heat. He is a tough and durable horse who is enjoying a fruitful campaign and will like the rough and tumble of this race. At longer odds, we fancy Sine Nomine to run well. He won the Foxhunters at the Festival last year and if he can sort his jumping out, a return to Cheltenham could do the trick.
Selection – MIDNIGHT OUR FRED – 77/10
Each-way – Sine Nomine – 24/1
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