Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival: Day 3 Schedule and Odds
The third day of the Cheltenham Festival takes us past the halfway point as the week really begins to take shape.
The third day of the four is one for the mares, with three mares only races on the seven-race card, which also includes three Grade 1 contests.
Here’s the schedule for day three in 2026.
Thursday 12th March 2026
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
The first race on Thursday kicks off the mares’ theme to start the day, and is one of just three Grade 2 races at the Festival. The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle has been in place since 2016 and has produced some talented stars, including Golden Ace and Love Envoi, who went on to mix it at the top level in open company.
This year’s favourite unsurprisingly hails from the Willie Mullins yard, which produced the first five winners of the race. 2025 Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever is their leading light this year at 5/4, ahead of Oldschool Outlaw at 7/2 for Gordon Elliott.
Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
It’s back-to-back Grade 2’s as next up is the Jack Richards. This is a high-class, middle-distance handicap which is set to be an open betting contest, as shown last year when Caldwell Potter won at 7/1 from Anyway at 125/1 and O’Moore Park at 66/1.
This year looks to be an equally interesting betting proposition, with Henry de Bromhead’s Koktail Divin currently the 6/1 favourite. There are a whole host of horses between 7/1 and 20/1, all with realistic chances should they turn up. Last year’s winning trainer Paul Nicholls saddles Regent’s Stroll, currently a 7/1 chance.
Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Next up we have the first Grade 1 of the day, the Mares’ Hurdle. This is another contest that Willie Mullins has dominated, winning 11 of the 18 runnings with the iconic Quevega landing six in a row from 2009 to 2014.
Lossiemouth is odds-on in the Non Runner Money Back betting at 4/5, but calls for her to run in the Champion Hurdle just won’t go away. Should she turn up on the Tuesday, it could leave the door open for Wodhooh (10/11) to win her first Grade 1.
Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Thursday’s second Grade 1, the Stayers’ Hurdle, is a race that has produced some memorable Cheltenham moments and created legends such as Paisley Park and Flooring Porter over the years.
This year, 2024 winner Teahupoo is the standout contender at 7/4. He is not the only past winner in the field though, as Flooring Porter makes his long-awaited return to the Festival at the ripe age of 11. He is a 40/1 shot having only had one run since a long injury lay-off, but can’t be counted out if back to his best.
Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
The hat-trick of Grade 1’s is completed by Thursday’s feature race, the Ryanair. This brings together the best of the two-and-a-half-mile chasers, acting as the perfect middle ground between the Champion Chase and Gold Cup.
Fact To File won it in a canter last year and is odds-on at 4/6 to go in again. The NRMB concession is key here, however, as the Irish Gold Cup winner has been talked as a potential Gold Cup contender, although he still needs to be supplemented. If he doesn’t line up here it becomes a much more open contest and many will side with Jonbon at 5/1 to break his Festival duck over the extended trip.
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
The penultimate race on the day is one of the most open betting heats of the week; it’s the puzzle every punter wants to solve. The Pertemps has thrown up some big shocks over the years, but with three of the past four winners going off at 25/1, there is certainly value to be had.
History is against the 6/1 market leader, Supremely West, as there has only been one winning favourite in the past 10 renewals. The value is likely to be further down the market, and one that is hard to pass over is William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell’s Yeah Man at 14/1.
Kim Muir Handicap Chase
The amateur jockey’s get their chance to bring Thursday’s action to a close in the Kim Muir. Another open betting contest, this race has produced just two winning favourites in the past 10 years, with multiple long-odds outsiders performing well over the years.
JP McManus holds all the aces this year, with Jeriko Du Reponet (4/1), Uhavemeinstitches (8/1) and Waterford Whispers (10/1) the top three in the betting.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
