Cheltenham Day 3 Race Schedule & What to Expect
1.20 The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 179y
2.00 The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) 2m4f 127y
2.40 The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m4f 56y
3.20 The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m7f 213y
4.00 The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 2m4f 127y
4.40 The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap.) 2m7f 113y
5.20 The Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase 3m2f
The third day of the Cheltenham Festival has gained a third Grade 1 with the Mares’ Hurdle moving from the opening day. The switch of track to the New Course puts more emphasis on stamina with a longer home straight. It starts with the Grade 2 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle before the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase; a race which was re-instated last year.
The Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle was established in 2008 and run on the New Course on the Friday of the festival that year. Since then, it was run on the Old Course on the opening day before it was moved ahead of the festival this year.
Historically, the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle has always been the feature race of the day despite the Ryanair Chase having Grade 1 status since 2008. This year the Stayers’ Hurdle is run before the Ryanair Chase despite the former looking a stronger race on paper.
The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle has moved from its regular slot to after the feature race and is a unique race where horses arrive in the final having finished in the first four in qualifiers throughout the season.
The final race of the day is the Kim Muir Handicap Chase which is now the first race of the week confined to amateur jockeys. It has a rating ceiling of 145 but it was still a race that provided us with next year’s Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin in 2024.
Cheltenham Day 3 Best Bets
Nap of the Day
Stayers’ Hurdle- TEAHUPOO 2/1 (1pt)
It is hard to believe that Teahupoo is still only nine-years-old as he runs in this race for a fourth year in a row. The Gordon Elliott trained gelding is slightly unfortunate not to be a three-time winner of the race when he was beaten a less than a length when 3rd in 2023, won by 3 ¾ lengths in 2024 and was passed late on by Bob Olinger last year in a slowly run contest.
He put in a career best performance when beating Bob Olinger by 7 lengths in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown and despite having race fitness over that rival on that occasion, it would be a surprise if that form was reversed.
Best Each-Way Bet
Ryanair Chase- MATATA 66/1 (0.5pt ew)
The Ryanair Chase looks a race that will cut up dramatically as we get closer to the day with multiple horses going for either the Champion Chase or Gold Cup instead. The handicapper raised Matata 6lbs up to a mark of 160 following his impressive 9 ½ length defeat of Il Ridoto in the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase on New Year’s Day over this course and distance. That rules him out of running in a handicap at the festival and he has good form at the track previously as well.
J J Slevin dropped his whip when only 5th in the Fleur De Lys Chase last time on soft ground and he remains unexposed over this intermediate trip. The market seems to have adjusted too far based on that below par effort.
Banker
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle- BAMBINO FEVER 2/1 (1pt)
Despite having to reverse form with Old School Outlaw from her reappearance at Naas, Bambino Fever looks to have outstanding claims in this race. Willie Mullins has won this race a record five times and the six-year-old can record her second festival victory having won the Champion Bumper last season. She was conceding race fitness to Old School Outlaw at Naas in December at a time that her stable were quiet. She won easily by 12 lengths at Fairyhouse on her next start and the switch to the New Course which has more emphasis on stamina will suit her as she won a PTP by 40 lengths previously and won over 2m2f last time. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if she went off odds-on favourite on the day.
Best Multiples (Double, Treble, Acca)
DOUBLE- Bambino Fever (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) & Teahupoo (Stayers’ Hurdle)
TREBLE- Bambino Fever (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle), Teahupoo (Stayers’ Hurdle) & Wodhooh (Mares’ Hurdle)
Bambino Fever looks a banker in the opening race of the day and she looks worth putting in multiples with two other strong contenders. Teahupoo looks the standout in the staying hurdle division having put in a career best performance last time and there is a chance that both Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead run in the Champion Hurdle and therefore Wodhooh would have a fantastic chance of recording her second festival success.
Day 3 Offer Friendly Picks
Bookmakers offer a range of promotions during the Cheltenham Festival including free bets, money back specials and extra place races. They may also alter the timings for BOG (best odds guaranteed) and boost the odds of a specific horse which is often the favourite in the feature race of the day.
Cheltenham Day 3 Race by Race Tips
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle- BAMBINO FEVER
Last year’s Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever wasn’t given an entry for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and she looks a worthy favourite in this weaker contest against her own sex. Willie Mullins has won this race a record five times and the six-year-old can record her second festival victory. She won a PTP by 40 lengths before winning four bumpers last season.
She was beaten by Old School Outlaw on her hurdling debut at Naas before winning next time at Fairyhouse by twelve lengths. Old School Outlaw has since been purchased by JP McManus and is 2/2 for trainer Gordon Elliott. It is worth remembering that she did also have the benefit of a recent run when beating Bambino Fever at Naas having won a listed bumper on her reappearance.
The Irish have a strong hand in the race with the likes of Echoing Silence, Place De La Nation and Carrigmoornaspruce all likely runners with the UK challenge headed by La Conquiere who ran well to finish 2nd in open company last time at Ascot when only beaten ½ length in a Grade 2.
Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase- REGENTS STROLL
Entries for the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival are on Tuesday 17th February but bookmakers are already offering betting on the races.
Paul Nicholls won this race last year with Caldwell Potter for the majority of the same owners and REGENT’S STROLL has a very similar profile with three qualifying coming in quick succession. Caldwell Potter won it by 6 ½ lengths last season off a mark of 146 and Regent’s Stroll will run off a mark of 145 this year.
Another horse with who hasn’t appeared to show all of his potential over fences is 2024 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Slade Steel. He has finished 2nd in four of his five chase starts and was brought down in the other at Punchestown. His previous two starts have come over 3 miles but he could drop in trip to run against novices rather than contesting a race like the Ultima Handicap Chase.
Jordans Cross won the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase on Trials Day over the same course and distance off a mark of 134 beating Quebecois by a nose. The pair pulled 2 ½ lengths clear of the third and he looks sure to be targeted at this race.
Mares’ Hurdle- WODHOOH
The outcome of the Unibet International Hurdle has resulted in Lossiemouth shortening for the Champion Hurdle and drifting for the Mares’ Hurdle with punters expecting her to run on Tuesday. She has won a remarkable 13 out of 16 races in her career including three festival races. She has won this race for the previous two years at odds of 8/13 and 4/6 and would likely be a short-priced favourite if running in it again.
Her main rival would be Wodhooh who she beat by 2 ¾ lengths in the Aintree Hurdle last season. That remains the only defeat for Wodhooh over hurdles in her 10 starts and she has the benefit of already winning over this course and distance at the festival last season. That was in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle but she has won twice at graded level since and is worthy of her rating of 154. The form of her latest victory over Feet Of A Dancer was boosted by the runner-up winning at Doncaster on her next start in a Grade 2 over 3 miles.
Gordon Elliott has a strong hand in the race with Brighterdaysahead also having the option of joining Wodhooh here or going for the Champion Hurdle. The latter is yet to win at Cheltenham in her career but made an encouraging return at Leopardstown when only a length behind Lossiemouth. The pair look set to clash in the Irish Champion Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival and that is likely to decide which race both run in at the festival.
Stayers’ Hurdle- TEAHUPOO
Teahupoo has form figures of 312 in this race and could easily be a three-time winner of the race in other circumstances. He was beaten by Bob Olinger in this race last season but has won all three of his starts since including when reversing form with that rival in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown in emphatic style.
Gordon Elliott also has Honesty Policy as a leading contender in this race who won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree last season before finishing a close 2nd behind Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner Jasmin De Vaux at Punchestown. He was 3rd beaten 1 ½ lengths by Impose Toi and Strong Leader in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on his reappearance with subsequent winner Potters Charm back in fourth.
Ryanair Chase- MATATA
33 horses remain entered in the Ryanair Chase but the likes of Gaelic Warrior, Majborough, Jango Baie, Grey Dawning, Il Etait Temps and The Jukebox Man have alternative options in either the Champion Chase or Gold Cup.
Last year’s winner Fact To File heads the market despite failing to win any of three starts since an impressive nine length success over Heart Wood in 2025. He finished a neck 2nd behind Gaelic Warrior in the John Durkan Chase on his reappearance but was below form when only 6th in the King George VI Chase at Kempton and needs to bounce back in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Jonbon is a two-time winner of the Melling Chase over an intermediate trip and it will be interesting if connections allow him to take his chance. He has finished runner-up at the Cheltenham festival three times in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle behind Constitution Hill, the 2023 Arkle Novices’ Chase behind El Fabiolo and in the 2025 Champion Chase behind Marine Nationale. He got back to winning ways when retaining his Clarence House Chase crown last time and connections have stated that a run in the Grade Ascot Chase over 2m5f will be next.
Heart Wood looks a solid each way option in the race. He finished 2nd behind Fact To File in the race last season and has won twice this season at Grade 3 level. He has 32 lengths to make up with Fact To File based on their runs in the John Durkan Chase but he should be involved in the finish with field likely to cut up.
Matata has been pushed out to 66/1 following a defeat at Windsor in the Fleur De Lys Chase but if he can replicate the form of his victory over this course and distance on New Year’s Day then he would hold strong claims. He received a rating of 160 following his 9 ½ length defeat of Il Ridoto and he remains unexposed over this intermediate trip.
Pertemps Handicap Hurdle- LONG DRAW
Horses have to finish in the top four of a qualifier to get a place in the final of the race at the Cheltenham and there are 21 of these throughout the season. The likes of Impose Toi and Ma Shantou have both won qualifiers this season but they are both high up in the betting for the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle instead.
C’Est Different won a qualifier at Market Rasen in November by 8 ½ lengths and has since followed up at Newbury. He is now rated 131 which will ensure him a place in the field.
Electric Mason finished 2nd behind Ma Shantoi at Cheltenham in a qualifier at Cheltenham in October before winning at Haydock last time off mark of 131.
Long Draw was well fancied for the race last season but had to miss the race and won at the April meeting instead. He finished 4th in the Cheltenham qualifier behind Ma Shantou and Electric Mason before two slightly below par efforts at Cheltenham on his next two starts. The handicapper has dropped him in the weights as a result and he looks overpriced off a mark of 136.
Kim Muir Handicap Chase- JOHNNYWHO
Entries for the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival are on Tuesday 17th February but bookmakers are already offering betting on the races. This race is confined to amateur jockeys and has a rating ceiling of 145 but it was still a race that provided us with next year’s Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin in 2024.
Johnnywho finished 2nd in the race last season when only beaten a neck off a mark of 140. Following a close 3rd at Ascot in December, he was raised to a mark of 146. Whether connections run him before the weights are announced on Tuesday 24th February in the hope of dropping below the 145 threshold remains to be seen but he would be a fascinating contender again this year if that is the case.
Cheltenham Day 3 Market Tips
Here are the most popular bets and % of bets placed through Oddschecker in January 2026 for each race of Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival:
The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle: Bambino Fever – 49%
The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase: Regent’s Stroll – 22%
The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle: Lossiemouth – 56%
The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle: Ma Shantou – 17%
The Ryanair Chase: Fact To File – 33%
The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle: C’Est Different – 20%
The Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase: Jeriko Du Reponet – 51%
Cheltenham Day 3 Trends
Mares Hurdle Trends:
• 10 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 5 and 7
• 10 of the previous 12 winners were rated 148 or higher
• 10 of the previous 12 winners had won a graded race
• 8 of the previous 12 winners won last time out
• 8 of the previous 12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham
Stayers Hurdle Trends:
• 11 of the previous 12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham
• 11 of the previous 12 winners had at least 8 previous runs over hurdles
• 10 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 6 and 8
• 9 of the previous 12 winners were rated 156 or higher
• 9 of the previous 12 winners had already won a Grade 1
Ryanair Chase Trends:
• 12 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9
• 12 of the previous 12 winners had at least 2 previous runs at Cheltenham
• 11 of the previous 12 winners were rated 162 or higher
• 10 of the previous 12 winners had at least 7 previous chase starts
• 9 of the previous 12 winners had already won a Grade 1
Tips for Betting on Cheltenham Day 3
Bookmakers tend to use a lot of advertising for new accounts on Day 1 of the festival but also use offers to try to lure customers into betting on the remaining three days. As a result they often try to promote specials on horses who hold obvious claims. The morning of the race is often the best time to back favourites with their ‘true price’ becoming apparent nearer the time of the race.
Markets for races later in the day can be affected by the results of the opening few races with liabilities from multiples rolling over onto related horses. With Willie Mullins likely to have three short priced favourites in the shape of Bambino Fever (Mares Novice Hurdle), Lossiemouth (Mares Hurdle) and Fact To File (Ryanair Chase), bookmakers are likely to fear any multiples including those runners.
Best Markets by Race Type
The Ryanair Chase is likely to have a small field with multiple horses in the entries expected to either step up in trip to Gold Cup or down in the trip to the Champion Chase. Bookmakers offer different markets for certain races such as match bets and betting ‘without the favourite’. Sometimes there is value to be had in these markets nearer the time if you are keen to back a horse but do not think it will likely beat the favourite in the race.
Generally in handicaps at the festival, bookmakers will offer enhanced place terms so they are often good races to back a horse each way in.
Each-Way Terms and Extra Places
It is worth using the oddschecker grids to check the place terms of races during the Cheltenham festival. Generally the typical place terms used by bookmakers are:
• 1-4 Runners: Win only (no places).
• 5-7 Runners: 1/4 odds for 2 places (1st & 2nd).
• 8+ Runners (Non-Handicap): 1/5 odds for 3 places (1st, 2nd, 3rd).
• 16+ Runners (Handicap): Often 1/4 odds for 4 places (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th).
However, during the Cheltenham festival bookmakers are likely to offer enhanced place terms. These could be still offering 3 places in a seven runner race or offering either 5 or 6 places in a competitive handicap. Bookmakers will sometimes not offer the BOG (best odds guaranteed) concession in these races though so it is important to use the oddschecker grid to check the best bookmaker to use.
Cheltenham Day 3 Tips FAQ
What races are on Cheltenham Day 3?
1.20 The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 179y
2.00 The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) 2m4f 127y
2.40 The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m4f 56y
3.20 The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m7f 213y
4.00 The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 2m4f 127y
4.40 The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap.) 2m7f 113y
5.20 The Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase 3m2f
What time is the first race on Tuesday?
1.20 The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Are there free bets for Cheltenham Day 3?
Bookmakers will be offering a range of welcome offers and existing offers for the Cheltenham festival. Check out this page nearer the time and those will be highlighted.
When should I place my Cheltenham Day 3 bets?
Currently you can bet on every race at the Cheltenham festival with antepost rules. This means that if your selection doesn’t run in the race then you will lose your stake. Bookmakers nearer the time will offer NRNB (no runner no bet) where horses will be at shorter odds but you would get your stake back if the horse doesn’t run in the race.
As fields reduce in numbers nearer the time, many horses will shorten in price as the probability of them winning will increase. However, markets on the day of the race become volatile and often the prices of horses will be bigger than the day before.
