Cheltenham Festival 2025 – Day 3
The Cheltenham Festival 2025 Day 3 is packed with top-class racing, featuring the Stayers’ Hurdle as the day’s highlight. Thursday also brings competitive handicaps, a brand-new novice chase, and key clashes between British and Irish contenders. With a mix of established champions and rising stars, expect another thrilling day at Prestbury Park.
Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Races Preview
The action gets under way in the early afternoon with 7 races to tempt you for your Cheltenham Festival 2025 – Day 3 bets. But, what horse should you bet on at Cheltenham on Thursday? Let’s take a look at each race to help you win and make the best Cheltenham bets today. Maybe, you’ll find a few winners like The New Lion from Day 2 at Cheltenham.
1:20pm – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
The Irish have dominated this race since its inception in 2016, but British trainers have hit back in recent years. The 2024 renewal sees Ireland poised to regain control, with Maughreen (Willie Mullins) and Sixandahalf (Gavin Cromwell) leading the betting. Both were impressive on their hurdling debuts after strong bumper form, with Sixandahalf also boasting a solid Flat campaign, finishing third in the Irish Cesarewitch. Mullins also fields Karoline Banbou, a French import who improved after her Irish debut. Paul Nicholls’ Jubilee Alpha and Just A Rose lead the British challenge.
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2:00pm – Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase
This brand-new race replaces the Grade 1 Golden Miller Novices’ Chase, shifting top novice chasers towards the Arkle and Brown Advisory while introducing a competitive 2m4½f limited handicap. The previous version of this race (last run at Cheltenham in 2020) suggested a focus on horses with strong recent form, especially last-time-out winners or runners-up. The wide weight range could create an open contest, and history suggests a spread of winners beyond the dominant stables.
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2:40pm – Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle
A fiercely contested staying handicap that consistently attracts a large field. Recent rule changes ensure that all series qualifier winners are guaranteed a run, provided they meet the weight criteria. This should add further depth to a race already known for its competitive nature. Strong stamina and festival experience often prove crucial in finding the winner.
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3:20pm – Ryanair Chase
A high-class renewal is expected, with several contenders also holding entries in the Gold Cup or Champion Chase. Last year’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase winner Fact To File (Willie Mullins) could thrive at this trip, having started the season with victory in the John Durkan. Previous Ryanair winners Protektorat (Dan Skelton) and Envoi Allen (Henry de Bromhead) bring proven festival form, while rising stars Djelo (Venetia Williams) and Spillane’s Tower (Jimmy Mangan) add further intrigue.
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4:00pm – Stayers’ Hurdle (Feature Race)
This division has been dominated in recent years by Flooring Porter and Teahupoo, with the latter bidding to defend his crown after a comfortable win in 2023. Gordon Elliott has followed the same preparation as last year, keeping Teahupoo fresh with just one run in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. However, soft ground is key to his chances, and quicker conditions could bring others into contention. Home By The Lee (Joseph O’Brien) has placed in the last two runnings and arrives off a Grade 1 win, while Nicky Henderson’s Lucky Place and Declan Queally’s Rocky’s Diamond represent the new generation of challengers. Elliott’s The Wallpark is another up-and-comer but may opt for the Pertemps Final instead.
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4:40pm – TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap Chase
Previously known as the Mildmay of Flete, this 2m4½f handicap chase is traditionally one of the most competitive races of the week. Shakem Up’Arry struck for Britain last year, making it 5-5 against Ireland over the past decade. A strong trend has emerged for last-time-out winners, with six of the last nine victors fitting that profile. The ideal rating range now sits between 140-145, with most winners carrying less than 11st. Notably, Gordon Elliott is the only member of the ‘big five’ trainers to have won this race in the last 17 years.
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5:20pm – Kim Muir Handicap Chase
One of the last remaining races at the festival restricted to amateur riders, this 3m2f handicap chase often sees a full field of 24. Ireland has dominated in recent years, with Inothewayurthinkin landing a fifth win in six years for the raiding party in 2023. There’s a strong pattern of winners bouncing back from below-par runs, with 15 of the last 24 Kim Muir victors having finished unplaced on their previous start. Higher-rated horses have started to thrive, with most winners now carrying 11st 4lb or more. The race tends to produce varied results, with 12 different winning trainers in the last 13 years—though Gordon Elliott has become a major force, with two victories and multiple placings from his runners.
Where to Bet at Cheltenham
You’ve got all the info for Day 3, now it’s time to win some money at Cheltenham! We’ve got two great options for you if you live in the UK:
Join Bet442 – 442 might be a football formation, but these guys LOVE horse racing betting too. You’ll get a £20 Free Bet when you join and bet £20. Easy!
Join William Hill – If you’re looking for a big Cheltenham bet offer, bet £10 at Hills and they’ll give you £60 in Free Bets (£40 can be used on horse racing)