The 2025 Cheltenham Festival has thrilled so far and St Patrick's Thursday is set to deliver more drama as the UK’s biggest week of racing continues.
Marine Nationale claimed a surprise victory in yesterday’s headline race, the Champion Chase, after favourite Jonbon hit a fence on the way round and could only recover to finish second. Earlier the highly rated Ballyburn was stunningly beaten in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase as Lecky Watson triumphed in the all-Irish renewal.
Today’s highlights include the Ryanair Chase (3.20pm), where Fact To File and Il Est Francais drop back in trip for what seems certain to be a fascinating battle with the evergreen Protektorat, who attempts to defend his crown. And Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo is in good shape ahead of his defence of the Stayers’ Hurdle (4pm), up against stablemate The Wallpark and Nicky Henderson’s Lucky Place as well as Home By The Lee, trained by Joseph O'Brien.
Follow all the news, including previews, expert tips, free bet offers and the latest Cheltenham Festival with our live blog below:
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Cheltenham Festival latest updates
- The Cheltenham Festival reaches day three, St Patrick’s Thursday - full racecard and results
- Best bets, tips and horses to watch for day three
- The emotional 40 minutes that gave Michael O’Sullivan a fitting Cheltenham farewell
Expert tips: 3.20 - Ryanair Chase
11:30
,
Mike Jones
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Jungle Boogie 12/1
Fact To File will be the hardest to beat but his price is plenty short. I’ve thought for a long time Jungle Boogie is the each-way shout. He ran a cracker in last year’s Gold Cup but didn’t stay. Going left handed suits him better than right and he’s very lightly raced for an 11-year-old.
Oli Bell’s tip: Fact to File 5/4
The super boost horse in the Ryanair Chase is Fact to File and I think he’s got a great chance. I’m delighted he’s in this race as I think he’s the best horse in this race and I think he will win.
What is a handicap race?
11:24
,
Mike Jones
A handicap is a race where each horse is allocated a weight according to its ability and winning record. This aims to create a more level playing field.
The idea behind handicaps is that the weight a horse carries affects the speed at which it will gallop. Handicap weights are calculated on the official ratings published by the British Horse Racing Authority.
Horses that carry heavier weight tend to have more ability to win races. Horses with less ability will carry less weight which aims to give them a better chance of winning. The Grand National is the most famous handicap race in the world.
Cheltenham Festival crowds plummet as fans choose cheap flights to Benidorm instead
11:18
,
Mike Jones
Cheltenham Festival recorded its lowest single-day attendance in over three decades on Wednesday, with just shy of 42,000 racegoers, as the festival struggles to make up the numbers amid soaring costs.
The ‘Style Wednesday’ crowd of 41,949 – a 5,000 drop from last year – was the smallest since 1993, when just 40,662 turned out, according to BBC Sport.
The crowd on Tuesday’s opening day of racing was also lower than in previous years – 55,498 compared to 60,181 at last year’s meeting.
Mondo Man set for new jockey in JCB Triumph Hurdle on Friday
11:12
,
Mike Jones
Former champion Brian Hughes could displace Caoilin Quinn on Mondo Man in the JCB Triumph Hurdle on Friday.
The talent has struggled at times in hurdles, after a fourth place in the Kind Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer.
The change could see Gary and Josh Moore turn things around after two losses on hurdles since joining the duo, with Gary stating: "He galloped very well this morning and the plan at the moment is to run. He's settling beautifully at home."
Rachael Blackmore's Thursday rides
11:06
,
Mike Jones
1.20pm – Ryanair Mares’ Novices Hurdle
Air of Entitlement – Age: 6, Weight: 11-4, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
3.20pm – Ryanair Chase
Envoi Allen – Age: 11, Weight: 11-10, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
4pm – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
Bob Olinger – Age: 10, Weight: 11-10, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
St. Patrick's Thursday preparations
11:00
,
Mike Jones
Day three preparations are well underway at Cheltenham with horses, including Fact To File, out on the gallops this morning.
Dramatic Champion Hurdle provides thrilling twist on opening day at Cheltenham
10:54
,
Mike Jones
The opening day of the Cheltenham Festival provided thrills and excitement aplenty with the biggest twist coming in the headline Champion Hurdle race.
Golden Ace took the trophy for jockey Lorcan Williams and trainer Jeremy Scott after the pre-race favourite, Constitution Hill, and last year’s champion, State Man, both fell.
Williams held his charge in the middle of the field, kept up the pace, and took advantage of great fortune to shock bookmakers and punters alike.
Expert tips: 2.40 - Pertemp Handicap Hurdle
10:48
,
Mike Jones
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Karl Des Tourelles 18/1
It’s an open-looking contest. Will The Wise won the last qualifier and has his chance. I’ve never been in love with Jeriko Du Reponet. Win Some Lose Some for Mark Walsh has a great chance but I like one at a good price. Karl De Tourelles is only a five-year-old but I think that age group are pretty well handicapped and I’m hoping this fella falls in the same boat. He has a lot of weight but his mark of 139 might be workable.
Ed Chamberlin’s tip: Shanagh Bob 20/1
The best bet for day three of the Cheltenham Festival is Shanagh Bob in the Pertemps Hurdle. I’ve followed this horse, and I thought he was going to be a brilliant chaser, but that hasn’t worked out. We’re now back over hurdles and I think he’s well-handicapped and will go well.
Expert tips: 2.00 - Jack Richards Novices' Chase
10:42
,
Mike Jones
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Answer To Kayf and San Salvador (each-way) 20/1
Asian Master is well found in the market. You want to be looking for a graded horse to win the race. The class horse, if the penalty doesn’t stop him, is Answer To Kayf and I like San Salvador each-way at a price. He’s plenty of experience and had a couple of runs at Cheltenham. He’s crying out for a trip.
Sam Turner’s tip: Springwell Bay 7/1
The form of Springwell Bay took a significant boost when Jango Baie, who beat the selection by six lengths here before Christmas, landed the Arkle in dramatic circumstances on day one. A subsequent triumph by nine lengths on New Year’s Day earned the eight-year-old a 9lb rise in the handicap so his task won’t be easy, but he won with plenty in hand that day so should give another bold account. Expensive purchase Caldwell Potter was third in that Cheltenham event and could be on the scene if the ground doesn’t dry out too markedly, while Nurburgring has been campaigned interestingly in the three chase starts required to earn a handicap mark and may prove a threat to all.
Expert tips: 1.20 - Mares Novices’ Hurdle
10:36
,
Mike Jones
Sam Turner’s tip: Sixandahalf 3/1
A huge field which means that confidence in Sixandahalf is tempered a little as she has only tackled one hurdle race to date. Although light in jumping experience, the selection impressed at Fairyhouse and has a substantial body of work on the level to commend her chance. With Paul Townend keen to eschew Maughreen in favour of Aurora Vega, the progressive Jubilee Alpha may prove the primary danger. She clocked a smart time at Windsor last time and had previously dismissed the talented Hollygrove Cha Cha in a Listed affair at Taunton so ought to be on the scene.
Oli Bell’s tip: Galileo Dame 7/2
My best bet of the day is in the Mares Novice and the horse in question is Galileo Dame. She hasn’t won yet, but her form in defeat when she’s finished second has been very strong. Her trainer Joseph O’Brien is already on the board at the Cheltenham Festival, and I think she wins the Mares Novice on Thursday.
Catcalling and intimidation: The ugly side of Cheltenham Festival as town becomes no-go area for women
10:30
,
Mike Jones
With images of jubilant jockeys and celebrity-speckled crowds of smiling punters, Cheltenham Festival, the pinnacle of the national hunt racing calendar, draws in more than 200,000 racegoers to the Regency town on the edge of the Cotswolds each year.
But away from the thrill of the racecourse atmosphere, a darker side to the four-day festival has emerged in recent years. More women have come forward to report feeling unsafe because of harassment, leading many to avoid the town centre altogether.
Increasing reports of catcalling, grabbing, and women being followed home have even prompted the borough council to open a safe space for students and young people aged under 18 to “escape” unwanted attention from groups of men.
AP McCoy on Marine Nationale's win
10:22
,
Mike Jones
Former Champion Jockey-turned TV pundit Sir AP McCoy said yesterday:
“Thinking of the O’Sullivan family at this time.
“What a horse, what a performance it was. It was very emotional to watch him winning.
“He definitely got a bit of help from above. Fair play to Barry Connell and his team for getting him back to that level of form again.”
Richard Johnson previews the Stayers' Hurdle
10:14
,
Mike Jones
22-time Cheltenham Festival winning jockey, Richard Johnson, gave his thoughts on today’s champion race and what he thinks on Teahupoo’s preparation.
Speaking to Betfred he said: “I can see why they’ve done the same as last year, he’s best fresh. I can also see why he’s favourite, but it’s a more open race than last year’s. Home By The Lee is still improving, and this is the most open contest in the Championship races.
“I laughed at Langer Dan’s price given he hasn’t shown any form this season, but when he got beat in the Martin Pipe, he was behind Galopin Des Champs!
“It’s amazing when you look at some of these horses, they come back year after year and run well at the Festival, if he runs in the Stayers, he wouldn’t be the most silly each-way price.”
Marine Nationale's win dedicated to Michael O'Sullivan
10:07
,
Mike Jones
Marine Nationale triumphed in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4pm yesterday before Jazzy Matty took the Grand Annual Handicap Chase just 40 minutes later.
Marine Nationale's trainer Barry Connell said:
"I’d like to dedicate this win to Michael and his girlfriend Charlotte, who’s here.
“Our hearts go out to all his friends and family and girlfriend. Racing is a great community behind people when things like this happen.”
Cheltenham Festival weather: Latest forecast for Day Three with dry spell expected
10:00
,
Mike Jones
The Cheltenham Festival is back as hundreds of thousands of fans descend on the iconic Gloucestershire racecourse for one of the sport’s biggest weeks of the year but a shock flurry of snow on Wednesday morning could disrupt plans.
The Met Office has forecast dry and sunny spells on Day 3 of the Festival after heavy snow blanketed large parts of the Cheltenham area and Gloucestershire yesterday morning.
Yesterday’s snow did not disrupt the racing shedule and with sunny spells expected between 12pm and 5pm today’s conditions should be ideal.
St. Patrick's Thursday runners
09:52
,
Mike Jones
5.20: JRL Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Listed) Race conditions: £75,000 | 3m2f | 21 fences | New Course
Runners: Fantastic Lady; Yeah Man; Sa Majeste; Johnnywho; Gelino Bello; Mint Boy; Weveallbeencaught; Cleatus Poolaw; Manothepeople; Sine Nomine; Git Maker; Nine Graces; Midnight Our Fred; Music Of Tara; Where It All Began; Westerninthepark; Wiseguy; Daily Present; Galop De Chasse; Now Where Or When; Pats Fancy; Grozni; Walking On Air; Dom Of Mary
St. Patrick's Thursday runners
09:47
,
Mike Jones
4.40: TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m4½f | 17 fences | New Course
Runners: Conflated; Ginny’s Destiny; Jordans; Fugitif; Path d’Oroux; Shakem Up’arry; Il Ridoto; La Malmason; Masaccio; Gemirande; Seddon; Tahmuras; Jagwar; Thecompanysergeant; Personal Ambition; Riaan; Mars Harper; An Peann Dearg; Demnat; Individualiste
St. Patrick's Thursday runners
09:42
,
Mike Jones
4.00: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £325,000 | 3m | 12 hurdles | New course
Runners: Bob Olinger; Buddy One; Crambo; Franciscan Rock; Ga Law; Gowel Road; Home By The Lee; Langer Dan; Lucky Place; Mystical Power; Nemean Lion; Rocky’s Diamond; Teahupoo; The Wallpark
St. Patrick's Thursday runners
09:37
,
Mike Jones
3.20: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) Race conditions: £375,000 | 2m4½f | 17 fences | New Course
Runners: Djelo; Envoi Allen; Fact To File; Hang In There; Heart Wood; Il Est Francais; Jungle Boogie; Master Chewy; Protektorat
St. Patrick's Thursday runners
09:32
,
Mike Jones
2.40: Pertemps Final (Grade 3) Race conditions: £100,000 | 3m | 12 hurdles | New course
Runners: Thomas Mor; Karl Des Tourelles; Bugise Seagull; Win Some Lose Some; Harbour Lake; Supreme Gift; D Art D Art; Feet Of A Dancer; Lucky Lyreen; Jeriko Du Reponet; Patter Merchant; Henri The Second; Will The Wise; One Big Bang; Super Survivor; J’Ai Froid; Maxi Mac Gold; Shanagh Bob; Doddiethegreat; Catch Him Derry; Guard The Moon; Zain Nights; Idem; American Sniper
St. Patrick's Thursday runners
09:26
,
Mike Jones
2.00: Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase (Grade 2) Race conditions: £125,000 | 2m4f | 17 fences | New Course
Runners: Springwell Bay; Firefox; Caldwell Potter; Dee Capo; Answer To Kayf; Asian Master; Insurrection; Nurburgring; O’Moore Park; Anyway; San Salvador; The Other Mozzie; What’s Up Darling; Pic Roc; Densworth; Moon D’Orange; Lord Of Thunder; Es Perfecto; Ryan’s Rocket; Shanbally Kid; Galunggung; The Famous Five
St. Patrick's Thursday runners
09:21
,
Mike Jones
1.20: Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) Race conditions: £105,000 | 2m1f | 8 hurdles | New Course
Runners: Air Of Entitlement; Aurora Vega; Bluey; Brendas Asking; Disco Dancer; Diva Luna; Hollygrove Cha Cha; Jane Eire; Jubilee Alpha; Just A Rose; Karamoja; Karoline Banbou; Kimi De Mai; Kitty Foyle; Lagertha; Magic McColgan; Maughreen; Metkayina; Mystical Goddess; Queen St Clair; Sixandahalf; Tour Ovalie; Venuisienne; Galileo Dame
How can I watch every race once ITV coverage ends?
09:15
,
Mike Jones
The final two races of each day will not be shown on ITV but fans wanting to watch can do so via Racing TV. Subscriptions for the channel, which shows every race from the festival, are available through Sky and Virgin Media and online through its website and app.
Racing TV coverage begins at 12.30pm every day and ends after the final race. The Independent will also have a dedicated live blog covering the action which you can follow.
A number of betting sites and apps also show all the races, provided you have a funded account with them.
Where can I watch on TV?
09:09
,
Mike Jones
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the first five races of the day on ITV1, with dedicated coverage on the channel beginning at 12.45pm GMT every day until 5pm GMT. The races can also be streamed online via ITVX.
There is also a preview show each morning from 9am GMT to 10am GMT which is shown on ITV4 and ITVX.
WATCH: Preview of day three
09:03
,
Luke Baker
Day three, St Patrick’s Thursday, is now here and the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle are races of particular interest.
The Independent’s Racing Correspondent Sam Turner has previewed today’s action:
WATCH: Review of day two
08:51
,
Luke Baker
It was an emotional day two at Cheltenham as Michael O’Sullivan was given a fitting farewell as Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty won back-to-back races in the space of 40 minutes.
Those were the two horses that O’Sullivan had ridden to victory at Cheltenham in the past and his death last month at the age of 24 following a fall at Thurles affected the entire racing world.
There were also shock wins on Style Wednesday and The Independent’s Racing Correspondent Sam Turner has rounded up all the action:
Cheltenham Festival 2025: Today's racecard and runners
08:39
,
Luke Baker
St Patrick’s Thursday looks set to be another cracking day of action at Cheltenham, with the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle headlining things.
Here’s the full racecard and list of runners for today:
Cheltenham Festival 2025 tips: Experts’ best bets and 15 horses to watch on day three
08:31
,
Luke Baker
The Cheltenham Festival is back and the 2025 edition has reached the halfway stage. A barnstorming opening day saw Golden Ace as a surprise winner of the Champion Hurdle after Constitution Hill and State Man both fell.
Day two was a more emotional affair as victories for Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty provided a fitting farewell to jockey Michael O’Sullivan who passed away in February.
Day three promises more thrills with the Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase the big races highlighting a packed schedule. Chasing a first win of the festival, Rachael Blackmore will hope Envoi Allen rolls back the years to challenge hot favourite Fact To File in the Ryanair while Harry and Dan Skelton will hope Protektorat can back up his victory from last year.
The emotional 40 minutes that gave Michael O’Sullivan a fitting Cheltenham farewell
08:31
,
Luke Baker
Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty won back-to-back races on a day of surprises in an emotional tribute to jockey Michael O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan, a 24-year-old jockey who passed away last month after a fall at Thurles racecourse, only won twice at the Cheltenham Festival with both victories coming on day one of the 2023 edition.
His horses that day were Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty who both triumphed inside 40 minutes on Style Wednesday providing the perfect farewell to their previous rider.
Cheltenham Festival 2025
08:24
,
Lawrence Ostlere
Follow all the latest updates from day three at Cheltenham Festival here with The Independent’s live coverage.
