Cheltenham Festival Day 3 tips: Expert odds & predictions from Joe Norris

Mar 11, 2026 - 16:30

Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival 2026 better known as St Patrick’s Thursday promises another scintillating afternoon of racing at Prestbury Park.

1.20 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
- BAMBINO FEVER at 31/25 with SBK
- ECHOING SILENCE at 14/1 with BoyleSports
2.00 Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
- MEETMEBYTHESEA at 29/5 with SBK
- JORDANS CROSS at 15/2 with talkSPORT BET
2.40 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- WODHOOH at 8/11 with BoyleSports
3.20 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- HONESTY POLICY to win Stayers’ Hurdle at 6/1 with talkSPORT BET
4.00 Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
- FACT TO FILE at 8/11 with talkSPORT BET
4.40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
- C’EST DIFFERENT at 44/5 with SBK
- ACE OF SPADES at 12/1 with Ladbrokes
5.20 Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockey’s Handicap Chase (Class 2)
- JERIKO DU REPONET at 7/2 with BoyleSports
- HERAKLES WESTWOOD at 10/1 with Betfred

Cheltenham Day 3 WIN TREBLE

Bambino Fever
Wodhooh
Fact To File

Cheltenham Day 3 WIN TREBLE pays 53/10 with Coral

Cheltenham Day 3 EACH WAY DOUBLE

Meetmebythesea
Honesty Policy

Cheltenham Day 3 EACH WAY DOUBLE pays 44/1 with talkSPORT BET

Two Grade 1 contests headline the card, with the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle taking centre stage, while a competitive mix of handicaps and novice races complete the seven-race programme.

Here is a full Cheltenham Festival Day 3 preview, including key contenders and storylines to watch.

Cheltenham Day 3 Race Schedule

Time	Race	Length
1.20	Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)	2m179y
2.00	Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)	2m4f127y
2.40	Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)	2m4f56y
3.20	Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)	2m7f213y
4.00	Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)	2m4f127y
4.40	Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)	2m7f213y
5.20	Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockey’s Handicap Chase (Class 2)	3m2f70y

1.20 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle tips

The rematch is on between BAMBINO FEVER and Oldschool Outlaw and it is the former I fancy strongly to come out on top this time. She just looked a bit rusty when going down half a length at Naas. That was her first start for 229 days whereas the winner already had a run and win under her belt so was at an advantage. Mullins mare has since put that experience to good use winning by a wide margin at Fairyhouse and with more to come again given the strength of her bumper form she should have too much.

Oldschool Outlaw has also won again since scoring by 9 lengths at Fairyhouse and has bene purchased by JP McManus so does still look the danger. ECHOING SILENCE is a promising mare who has won both starts to date over hurdles and with further progression could be a good bit of each way value.

3 BAMBINO FEVER

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Form: 1111-21
Age: 6yo
Weight: 11-4

Bet on BAMBINO FEVER to win Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at 31/25 with SBK

8 ECHOING SILENCE

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
Form: 51-11
Age: 6yo
Weight: 11-4

Bet on ECHOING SILENCE to win Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at 14/1 with BoyleSports

2.00 Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase tips

Another competitive handicap at the Cheltenham Festival but there is one I’m particularly keen on in the shape of MEETMEBYTHESEA for Ben Pauling. This 6yo looked promising winning his first two starts over fences before blowing out at Newbury. Obviously that was a tough ask and he failed to give his running in testing conditions behind Lulamba. Back handicapping and on better ground could spark him back into life and he could easily have a bit in hand off this mark.

I can also see JORDANS CROSS running a big race. We have already seen course form proving valuable this week and his gutsy win over Quebecois has worked out well with that rival finishing an excellent third in the Ultima earlier in the week. He is likeable and progressive and if handling a further 6lb rise should be involved.

11 MEETMEBYTHESEA

Trainer: Ben Pauling
Jockey: Ben Jones
Form: 1113-116
Age: 6yo
Weight: 10-13

Bet on MEETMEBYTHESEA to win Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at 29/5 with SBK

10 JORDANS CROSS

Trainer: Anthony Honeyball
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Form: 212-1F11
Age: 6yo
Weight: 11-0

Bet on JORDANS CROSS to win Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at 15/2 with talkSPORT BET

2.40 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle tips

The betting is suggesting this is all about one mare in the shape of WODHOOH and I’d tend to agree. Obviously Lossiemouth came out the race after going for the Champion Hurdle and winning so it has become considerably easier for this favourite. She has won 9 from 10 over hurdles and her only defeat came at the hands of Lossiemouth which has now obviously been franked. She beat Feet Of A Dancer convincingly at Leopardstown and should confirm that form here.

Jade De Grugy bumped into The Big Westerner over fences at Limerick and then improved to win readily at Thurles. She is back over hurdles here and has to be feared but even at her best looks up against it. Take No Chances is gutsy as well but even a career best would leave her short.

7 WODHOOH

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Form: 752411111-112-11
Age: 6yo
Weight: 11-5

Bet on WODHOOH to win Mares’ Hurdle at 8/11 with BoyleSports

3.20 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle tips

Teahupoo will have his supporters but he was beaten in this last year and the ground is far from ideal so I think he is opposable. I prefer his stablemate HONESTY POLICY who will love this drying ground and was a big eye-catcher at Ascot. He has been put away for this since and definitely has potential for further improvement over this trip and at the prices looks the definite value in the race.

Bob Olinger takes his chance again and certainly shouldn’t be underestimated. He is an 11yo now though and was well held by Teahupoo at Leopardstown last time. Ma Shantou has looked impressive but this is tougher again. Kabral Du Mathan could be a danger to all but he needs to prove himself over this trip. Again the ground will help him.

7 HONESTY POLICY

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Form: 21112-3
Age: 6yo
Weight: 11-10

Bet on HONESTY POLICY to win Stayers’ Hurdle at 6/1 with Ladbrokes

4.00 Ryanair Chase tips

No great surprise to see FACT TO FILE a warm order to defend his Ryanair crown. He won the race by 9 lengths last season and is arguably even better now having bolted up in the Irish Gold Cup last month. He drops back in trip here but travelled so strongly in this last year and his Cheltenham record speaks volumes so he should get the job done comfortably.

Heart Wood chased him home last year and could run well again but Jonbon takes his chance here and if his jumping holds up he could be good for a place as he always runs to a consistent level. Impaire Et Passe is another one to note but again this demands a big performance.

3 FACT TO FILE

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Form: 122-2111-12314-261
Age: 9yo
Weight: 11-10

Bet on FACT TO FILE to win Ryanair Chase at 8/11 with talkSPORT BET

4.40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle tips

The obvious one is Supremely West and there is a good chance he gets heavily punted but in such an open race with plenty of places on offer I’m keen to put a couple up against him. C’EST DIFFERENT has been really impressive winning four in a row and again at Newbury he did it like there was plenty more to spare. He has been put away since with this the target and despite the rise has a lot of class and could put himself in the picture here.

The Skelton second-string also catches the eye ACE OF SPADES did well to win at Huntingdon. I thought Harry Skelton made that look harder work than it was so this is a good ride for Kielan Woods to pick up. He has form with Ma Shantou and has won at the track before and at double figures could run a big race.

19 C’EST DIFFERENT

Trainer: Sam Thomas
Jockey: Dylan Johnston
Form: 654711-11
Age: 6yo
Weight: 10-7

Bet on C’EST DIFFERENT to win Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at 44/5 with SBK

4 ACE OF SPADES

Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Kielan Woods
Form: 521-421142-1421
Age: 7yo
Weight: 11-1

Bet on ACE OF SPADES to win Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at 12/1 with Ladbrokes

5.20 Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockey’s Handicap Chase tips

Derek O’Connor is so valuable in this race and with Nicky Henderson having had such a good week already JERIKO DU REPONET could prove all the rage here. He is by no means straightforward but we know he is plenty talented when things drop right and given his lightly raced profile he could be capable of a big performance.

JP McManus also owns the danger Waterford Whispers and he shaped well in defeat when third behind Backmersackme at Leopardstown. He has proved a little frustrating at times but could be capable of getting involved. I’d rather have the selection at a similar price though. Of the rest HERAKLES WESTWOOD impressed winning at this track on New Year’s Day and has had a wind op since so at double figures could run a big race as well.

1 JERIKO DU REPONET

Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Derek O’Connor
Form: 111PU-PU5321-225
Age: 7yo
Weight: 12-0

Bet on JERIKO DU REPONET to win Kim Muir Challenge at 7/2 with BoyleSports

8 HERAKLES WESTWOOD

Trainer: Warren Greatrex
Jockey: Finian Maguire
Form: 53-PU94-7111442-211375241
Age: 9yo
Weight: 11-6

Bet on HERAKLES WESTWOOD to win Kim Muir Challenge at 10/1 with Betfred

Expert advice: Cheltenham Day 3 best bets

As before, I have some pick combinations for day 3 as well:

Cheltenham Day 3 WIN TREBLE

Bambino Fever
Wodhooh
Fact To File

Cheltenham Day 3 WIN TREBLE pays 53/10 with Coral

Cheltenham Day 3 EACH WAY DOUBLE

Meetmebythesea
Honesty Policy

Cheltenham Day 3 EACH WAY DOUBLE pays 44/1 with talkSPORT BET

Cheltenham Festival 2026 news, tips and free bets:

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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