Cheltenham Festival 2026

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ITV Racing's very own, Rishi Persad, has cast his eye over the races on the third day at the Cheltenham Festival and gives us his ITV7 Prediction!

Check out who he's backing plus Thursday's ITV Racing schedule here.

Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Rishi Persad's Tip - BAMBINO FEVER

Best odds of 6/5 at AK Bets while publishing.

Unbeaten in 4 bumper runs last season including the Champion Bumper at the Festival, she suffered a surprise deafest at Naas in December on her hurdling debut, but put things right with a smooth success at Fairyhouse when she impressed with her jumping and made all the running. She will be hard to beat.

Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Rishi Persad's Tip — REGENTS STROLL

Best odds of 11/2 at Unibet while publishing.

Produced a smart effort to finish second to Honestly Policy in a Grade One hurdle at Aintree last April, but has been a slow burner over fences this season. However, he did beat the favourite for the Kim Muir in a two runner race at Wincanton and there are similarities about his preparations that are similar to stable’s winner of this race last year, Caldwell Potter.

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Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle

Rishi Persad's Tip - WODHOOH

Best odds of Evens at Betfred while publishing.

Has only been beaten once in ten starts over hurdles, that defeat was to Lossiemouth at Aintree last April after she won the Martin Pipe at last year’s Festival. She is the top rated runner in the race and would have been a credible contender in the Champion Hurdle. Another who will take some stopping.

Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle

Rishi Persad's Tip - BOB OLINGER

Best odds of 15/2 at Unibet while publishing.

Has an exceptional record at Cheltenham and the Festival in particular. Defeated Teahupoo in this race twelve months ago and finished a fine second behind that rival in the Christmas Hurdle this season. He may be eleven years old now, but he’s only had 15 career starts on only two races since December 2024. He can win it again.

Ryanair Chase

Rishi Persad's Tip - FACT TO FILE

Best odds of 6/5 at Uniber while publishing.

Would have been lovely to see him in the Gold Cup, but this looks another great opportunity for him to win his third Festival race, after his Brown Advisory win in 2024 and the Ryanair last year. He put a below par run in the King George at Kempton behind him with a career best at the Dublin Racing Festival and is head and shoulders above his rivals.

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

Rishi Persad's Tip - BOLD ENDEAVOUR

Best odds of 15/2 at bet365 while publishing.

Finished fourth in this race two years ago off a 13lb higher mark. His overall form since then has been disappointing, however there was a more significant spark of enthusiasm last time at Huntingdon behind Ace of Spades and it appears he will be a serious player for the Nicky Henderson team who are having a decent week.

Rishi Persad's ITV7 Predictions

 

  • 1.20 Cheltenham – BAMBINO FEVER
  • 2.00 Cheltenham – REGENT'S STROLL
  • 2.22 Hexham – FORTUNEFAVORSDBOLD
  • 2.40 Cheltenham – WODHOOH
  • 3.20 Cheltenham – BOB OLINGER
  • 4.00 Cheltenham – FACT TO FILE
  • 4.40 Cheltenham – BOLD ENDEAVOUR

 

Thursday ITV Racing Schedule at Cheltenham Day 3

The Day 3 ITV Racing Schedule for Cheltenham is as follows:

  • 1:20 PM – Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (G2)​
  • 2:00 PM – Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase​
  • 2:40 PM – Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (G1)​
  • 3:20 PM – Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (G1)​
  • 4:00 PM – Ryanair Chase (G1)​
  • 4:40 PM – Pertemps Network Final (Handicap)​
  • 5:20 PM – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase


Make sure to tune into ITV1 today to catch Rishi and the gang's coverage of the second day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Find More Cheltenham Day 3 Tips

Andy Holding's Premium Tips for Cheltenham Day 3

Liam Firkin's Premium Betting Tips for Cheltenham Festival Day 3

Jake Price's Free Cheltenham Festival Day Three Tips

Ginger Joe's Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Premium Tips

Racing Lee's Four Betting Tips for Cheltenham Festival Day 3

Steve Ryder's Free Tips for Cheltenham Festival Day 3