Cheltenham Festival LIVE tips and results: Racism row erupts and major doubt emerges over Fact to File on Day 3

The Cheltenham Festival continues today for the third day of horse racing action at Prestbury Park with all eyes on the Ryanair Chase.

A complaint of racist abuse against jockey Nico de Boinville was lodged yesterday with the BHA stewards and threatens to overshadow the build up to Thursday’s racing. The BHA is gathering evidence and will make a decision on the veracity of the complaint in due course but not until after the Festival is over.

On the track Willie Mullins’ fan-favourite Irish Gold Cup winner, Fact To File, headlines the champion race as the odds-on favourite and looks to repeat his victory from 2025 where he won by nine lengths. The nine-year-old had been touted as a possible contender for the Gold Cup tomorrow but he is being backed to secure another win at the Festival today instead.

St. Patrick’s Thursday is a big day for the Irish contingent, who are winning the Prestbury Cup 8-6 at the halfway stage and there are thousands of Irish fans expected to come over from the Emerald Isle for the day’s festivities. On the track, Bambino Fever, Wodhooh and Teahupoo look to excel in their respective races and continue the momentum for the Irish.

Mullins’ Lossiemouth headlined the opening day and cemented her place in the Festival’s history with victory in the Champion Hurdle while the future looks bright for the sport with impressive showings from the next generation of trainers and horses on Wednesday.

Follow all the news, including previews, expert tips, free bet offers and the latest Cheltenham odds from day three of the Cheltenham Festival with our live blog below:

Read More

Cheltenham Festival 2026 race card, start times and full four-day schedule

Nico de Boinville accused of racist abuse after jockey spat on ITV

Cheltenham Festival provides glimpse into horseracing’s future while returning to its past

Cheltenham Festival day - live updates

• The 2026 Cheltenham Festival continues today with the first race at 1.20pm, live on ITV1
• St. Patrick's Thursday is headlined by Fact To File but there are plenty of horses to peak the interest of racegoers
• Cheltenham Festival race card, start times and full four-day schedule
• Cheltenham Festival provides glimpse into horseracing’s future while returning to its past
• Cheltenham Festival 2026 tips: Experts’ best bets and 13 horses to watch on day three
• Nico de Boinville accused of racist abuse after jockey spat on ITV

Cheltenham Festival provides glimpse into horseracing’s future while returning to its past

13:00 , Mike Jones

In its quest to draw back audiences and boost attendance numbers, there has been a real push from the Cheltenham Festival to look to the past and repeat previous successes.

Whether that is reducing the price of a pint of Guinness by 30p, bringing back the Ladies Day moniker for the first time in seven years or making fan-favourite retired jockey Rachael Blackmore the face of the day, these initiatives are having a positive impact. But they pale in comparison to the draw of watching the best horses race at this most splendid of racecourses.

Cheltenham provides glimpse into horseracing’s future while returning to its past

Day three start edging closer

12:54 , Mike Jones

The first race of the say begins at 1.20pm. The rain is a bit stop-start but the dark clouds don’t look like they’ll be disappearing any time soon.

Racing tip: Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase (5.20pm)

12:48 , Jonathan Doidge

Only two of the last ten favourites have won this and I’ll warn you, I’ve not backed the winner in that entire decade. I’m going to go with a sporting selection in Gericault Roque, who was third here in the Ultima in 2022 and went on to be third in Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup later that year.

He was off the track for a long time after that and it’s fair to say he’s been inconsistent in just four starts since returning to the racecourse in January of last year. However, he gave the impression that he was resurgent when second in a premier handicap at Ascot last month and he looks a bit of each-way value here at 25/1, after just a 1lb rise. He’s certainly well treated on old form.

Cheltenham best bet: Gericault Roque (each-way)

Racing tip: Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (4.40pm)

12:42 , Jonathan Doidge

I’m prepared to take a chance here on a lightly raced nine-year-old who I’ve already tipped to no avail this season but I’m happy to hold my nerve and suggest a small each-way play on Red Dirt Road.

Regulars may recall that he was my selection at Sandown in January, where he’d won a Grade 3 decisively last year. On this occasion, he led before going out like the proverbial light on ground described as heavy.

He was significantly better than that last time out at Haydock, when he was not without support at a price and was still in there pitching two out, before fading. He’s won on good, soft and heavy, so whatever the conditions are by Thursday, he shouldn’t have any excuses but the thing for me is his mark.

That Sandown win last February came off an official rating of 133. He went up 9lb for it, which may have been part of the problem since but a further 2lb drop since Haydock means the handicapper is giving him a clear chance again off a mark of 134.

Even if he ran to within 5lb or so of that career best, he’s still well treated and if the O’Neill yard his right on the day, he would be very interesting. At 33/1 on Cheltenham betting sites, I think we can take the chance.

Cheltenham best bets: Red Dirt Road (each-way)

Racing tip: Ryanair Chase (4.00pm)

12:36 , Jonathan Doidge

I’ve done this one to death all season, as you know! I’ve been praying that Willie Mullins would send Fact To File to this race and Gaelic Warrior to the Gold Cup and I’ve got my wish in that respect. I’m not saying that Fact To File can’t win a Gold Cup but I do think he is perfectly suited by this trip at a stiff track and on the more or less any ground.

He has nothing at all to prove in terms of class and really, we just have to hope that he doesn’t run ‘flat’ as was the case in the King George.

I respect Banbridge, who’ll get his ground, while the presence Jonbon makes it that bit more intriguing but I think the favourite should emerge head and shoulders above the rest of this field, if he runs his race.

Cheltenham best bets: Fact To FileCor

Nico de Boinville accused of racist abuse after jockey spat on ITV

12:30 , Mike Jones

Nico de Boinville has been accused of racially abusing a fellow jockey at the Cheltenham Festival after the pair were witnessed arguing ahead of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle by ITV cameras on Wednesday.

The footage showed De Boinville exchanging heated words with Declan Queally before the race during a chaotic opening of false starts and positional jostling.

Nico de Boinville accused of racist abuse after jockey spat on ITV

Fact To File a major doubt for Ryanair Chase with JP McManus facing last-minute call

12:25 , Mike Jones

Fact To File could be withdrawn from the Ryanair Chase on day three of the Cheltenham Festival in a late move that will rock racegoers’ prospects.

The JP McManus-owned and Willie Mullins-trained gelding is a fan-favourite having won this race in 2025 and arrived at the Festival in strong form following a five length victory in the Irish Gold Cup.

Fact To File a major doubt for Ryanair Chase with JP McManus facing last-minute call

Racing tip: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (3.20pm)

12:24 , Jonathan Doidge

Surely it’s only the fact that he’s now an 11-year-old that means Bob Olinger is a 15/2 chance for the staying hurdlers’ championship, as I write this. He’s 4-4 at Cheltenham, three of those wins coming at the Festival.

He goes on any ground that’s good to soft or slower and he just loves coming back here and performing. He’s always gone well when fresh, so with no run since December, he’ll be bursting to get involved and he’s not been out of the first two in his last eight starts, dating back to November 2023.

He looks a cracking each-way bet on betting apps when we have three places to play for.

Cheltenham tips: Bob Olinger (each-way)

Racing tip: Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (2.40pm)

12:18 , Jonathan Doidge

She’s several pounds clear of the field on official ratings and I think last year’s Martin Pipe winner Wodhooh is still a half decent price at a shade of odds-on with most horse racing betting sites.

She went to Aintree after winning here and succumbed to Lossiemouth but she’s 202 this season, winning an Ascot Grade 2 and a Leopardstown Grade 3. She’ll appreciate the fact that conditions have dried out recently, the trip looks her optimum and on a line through Lossiemouth she’d have the beating of Jade De Grugy, who switches back from chasing for this race.

Cheltenham best bet: Wodhooh

Racing tip: Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (2.00pm)

12:12 , Jonathan Doidge

Having previously tipped him at 50/1 for my Cheltenham acca, I still think there may be some value in the 33/1 on offer about Ben Solo in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

He’s a seven-year-old trained by Rebecca Curtis and is still feeling his way as he tries to establish himself over fences. He’s certainly shown ability, having won one of his four starts over the bigger obstacles, that coming over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow last November.

Both subsequent starts have been over that C&D, finishing a close second next time, which was his best effort yet. He’d looked like bettering that when unseating three out back there again last time, in a race that has worked out well.

His mark remains unchanged on 127 but I’d not be surprised if he ends up being at least a stone better than this. He’s in good hands and his trainer is no stranger to big-priced Festival winners. If you can get a non-runner no bet price about him, I’d encourage you to play him each-way to small stakes.

Cheltenham tips: Ben Solo (each-way)b

Racing tip: Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (1.20pm)

12:06 , Jonathan Doidge

There’s little to choose between the top two in the market on betting sites based on what they’ve achieved so far but the second favourite, Oldschool Outlaw is a much bigger price than Bambino Fever, whom she’s already beaten when they met at Naas in December

Gordon Elliott’s six-year-old has done nothing wrong this season and she improved again when winning a Fairyhouse Grade 3 last time. Bambino Fever bounced back to win at Fairyhouse herself next time but strictly on the figures they should be fairly similar prices and I’m taking Oldschool Outlaw each-way.

Of the Brits, La Conquiere looks the most interesting.

Cheltenham tip: Oldschool Outlaw (each-way)

Second horse dies at Cheltenham Festival in two days after fatal injury

12:00 , Jack Rathborn

A second horse has died in as many days at the Cheltenham Festival after HMS Seahorse fell in Wednesday’s BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle and suffered fatal injuries.

In a statement, Cheltenham Racecourse said the Paul Nolan-trained eight-year-old was “immediately attended to by a team of expert vets, but sadly sustained an injury at the final hurdle and could not be saved. Our heartfelt condolences are with connections.”

Second horse dies at Cheltenham Festival in two days after fatal injury

What is the Stayers Hurdle?

11:54 , Mike Jones

One of the bigger races being run today is the Stayers Hurdle.

Need to know more about it? Say no more and watch our explainer below:

Wednesday 11 March - Ladies Day full results

11:48 , Mike Jones

1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle

1. King Rasko Grey 11/1; 2. Act Of Innocence 10/1; 3. Zeus Power 50/1

2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

1. Kitzbuhel 11/1; 2. Final Demand 7/2; 3. Salver 25/1

2.40: BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle

1. Jingko Blue 9/2F; 2. Franciscan Rock 50/1; 3. Storm Heart 5/1; 4. Ballyadam 40/1

3.20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase

1. Final Orders 7/1; 2. Favori De Champdou 2/1F; 3. Vanillier 13/2

4.00: BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase

1. Il Etait Temps 5/2 ; 2. Libberty Hunter 50/1; 3. L'eau Du Sud 13/2

4.40: Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup

1. Martator 66/1; 2. Jazzy Matty 8/1; 3. Break My Soul 20/1; 4. Release The Beast 10/1

5.20: Weatherbys Champion Bumper

1. The Mourne Rambler 15/2; 2. Mets Ta Ceinture 14/1; 3. Bass Hunter 8/1

Guinness and footlong rolls for breakfast

11:45 , Alex Ross

For many walking to the festival, a popular pit spot is the Prince of Wales Stadium, where this group are filling up on breakfast rolls and pints of Guinness, priced at £20.

It’s continuing to rain outside so a good opportunity to take cover.

Carl Blackton said: “We're all looking forward to this year again, it's a great day out, and here's a good place to start.”

Ladies Day 'back with a bang'

11:42 , Mike Jones

Rachael Blackmore insisted the Cheltenham Festival's Ladies Day was "back with a bang".

The retired jockey was appointed Head of Ladies Day by the racecourse last year and has been touring the country promoting the return of the popular concept.

Speaking from the Centaur building on site, where special Ladies Day themed events have been taking place all day, she said: “It’s incredible, amazing. This whole place has been turned into a massive ladies’ hub, it’s really cool. It’s really positive and it’s a great day.

"You’re very much in your racing bubble when you’re a jockey, so to hear those different things was great. I think Cheltenham has really taken steps to make this a really inclusive Festival for everyone and Ladies Day is back with a bang this year for sure.”

Attendance improves on Ladies Day

11:36 , Mike Jones

The crowd on Ladies Day was 46,317, up from 41,941 on day two of The Festival last year.

Guy Lavender, Chief Executive of Cheltenham Racecourse, said: "When we decided last year to bring Ladies Day back for 2026 we were determined to really engage with female racegoers and women who had either been before, but not for a while, or had never joined us at Cheltenham in the past.

"The team, working with Rachael Blackmore, have worked really hard to spread the word and promote day two of The Festival as Ladies Day, as well as putting on some fantastic experiences on course today.

"It's been great to see attendance up by nearly 4,500 based on last year's crowd figure, with the proportion of female racegoers up from 25% to 33% this year. We will look to build on the this success as we look to make Ladies Day bigger and even better in 2027."

‘We flew to Benidorm to watch Cheltenham in the sunshine – but the weather’s better at home’

11:30 , Alex Ross

It might be 1,300 miles away, but more and more people are choosing to swap Cheltenham for Benidorm during festival week, where cheap drinks and hotels are a-plenty.

However, for the sun-seekers arriving on the Mediterranean coastline for festival week this year, there’s been one problem – the weather.

As Prestbury Park basks in warm winter sunshine, in Benidorm, rain has forced T-shirt-wearing race enthusiasts to head inside many of the bars on the strip.

‘We flew to Benidorm to watch Cheltenham in the sunshine – but it’s raining here’

Cheltenham day three preview

11:24 , Mike Jones

Have a watch at our video preview below for day three of the Cheltenham Festival with Racing Correspondent, Jonathan Doidge, reporting from the racecourse.

Oscars Brother to run in Grand National?

11:18 , Mike Jones

One of the best stories from Tuesday’s racing was Connor King’s horse Oscars Brother finishing fourth in the Brown Advisory.

King only trains two horses and now has a decision on whether to run Oscars Brother in the Grand National.

King said: "He ran super. I was delighted with him.

"It all happened a bit fast for him but he finished the race off well and was only beaten five and a half lengths, I think.

"So far as the Grand National is concerned we'll see how he is later in the week. We'll get him home first. It will all be down to how the horse is."

Betting total could touch half a million

11:12 , Mike Jones

UK bookmakers are expecting an industry total of £450m to be staked on Cheltenham this week, according to William Hill.

Of the horses the bookies are fearing most, Bambino Fever – who runs in Thursday’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – currently stands as one of their biggest liabilities.

Weather worsening at Cheltenham

11:06 , Mike Jones

Here at the course the heavens have opened and it is pouring down now with racing due to begin in a couple of hours time.

For the racegoers already here sunglasses have been replaced with umbrellas and Cheltenham’s new coverd marquee - The Retreat - will be seeing plenty of action as the day unfurls.

Undefeated and unassailable, why Lossiemouth is undoubtedly a Cheltenham legend

11:00 , Mike Jones

The Cheltenham Festival roared back into the public consciousness with a sensational opening day that saw Lossiemouth, and jockey Paul Townend, claim the Champion Hurdle spoils in the latest act of glory for this legendary horse.

The Willie Mullins-trained mare, famed for her grey coat, headlined the first champion race of the four-day festival and was a class above the rest of the field. And that is saying something, as the race featured previous Cheltenham winners Golden Ace and Poniros, as well as Dan Skelton’s favoured The New Lion, who hoped to threaten but failed to make his move early enough.

Undefeated and unassailable, why Lossiemouth is undoubtedly a Cheltenham legend

This Morning presenter backing Harry Redknapp's Gold Cup contender

10:54 , Mike Jones

This Morning presenter, Josie Gibson, has given her thoughts on the week’s racing and is backing any horses owned by Harry Redknapp.

His horse The Jukebox Man runs in the Gold Cup on Friday and Gibson said: "I would love to see Harry win anything, especially the Gold Cup.

"I was over the moon for him when Shakem Up'arry won at Cheltenham in 2024, because I think he's such a nice bloke and I like good things to happen to good people.

"I also love the way Harry Redknapp loves his wife. That is the sort of man you want to love you. He just worships her."

Can I still get a ticket and how much do they cost?

10:48 , Mike Jones

You can secure access to the first three days of the festival through a daily Club Enclosure ticket from £103.50, while Friday is sold out.

Tattersalls tickets will cost from £73.80 on each of the first three days but again Gold Cup day has sold out.

The cheapest way to experience the festival is through the Best Mate enclosure with a day ticket for the first three days priced from £54.

All details can be found with tickets available to purchase through the Jockey Club here.

How can I watch every race once ITV coverage ends?

10:42 , 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.

Sign up to Independent Racing with Jonathan Doidge

10:36 , Mike Jones

You can find more insights, tips, odds and more each day of the Cheltenham Festival right here at The Independent.

Along with our dedicated live blog coverage of each race day we have expert analysis of the biggest stories, tips and predictions from weekly meetings and specialist coverage from the world of horseracing in our Independent Racing newsletter with Jonathan Doidge.

To subscribe to our daily newsletters covering all things Cheltenham follow the link below.

Independent Racing will then drop into your inbox each Friday after the Festival concludes as our insights move towards the Grand National and the Flat racing season beyond.

Get expert tips with Jonathan Doidge’s Independent Racing newsletter

Rain falling in Cheltenham

10:27 , Alex Ross en route to Cheltenham

After two days of dry weather, we're seeing the first drops of rain as festivalgoers open their umbrellas as they alight at Cheltenham Spa station.

It's certainly not heavy enough to impact the ground yet, but experts say continued showers could leave the ground “good to soft” for when the races start this afternoon.

Trains packed for St Patrick's Thursday

10:21 , Alex Ross en route to Cheltenham

It's standing room only on trains from Bristol to Cheltenham Spa this morning.

Will we see another increase in attendance from last year, after rises from 2025 for Champion Day and Ladies Day?

Last year, St Patrick's Day saw just over 53,300, down slightly from the year before.

‘We’ve got our Cheltenham back’: Rejoicing crowds give new-look festival seal of approval

10:18 , Alex Ross

The winter sun shone brightly, albeit briefly, for the start of the Cheltenham Festival, the highlight of the jump racing season.

More than 57,000 racegoers – from binocular-armed racing enthusiasts to city hipsters – congregated in this corner of the Cotswolds, sending opening day attendance up 3 per cent from last year.

The excitement of the smiling crowds entering Prestbury Park, many arriving after a testing six-hour journey from Ireland, was palpable, and as the first race set off – met, of course, by the rousing Cheltenham roar – there was consensus on the terraces that the festival was back to its best.

‘We’ve got our Cheltenham back’: Crowds give new-look festival seal of approval

5.20: Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145)

10:12 , Mike Jones

Ruby Walsh’s tip: Kim Roque

“Kim Roque made the trip to Cheltenham on his first two starts for Joseph O’Brien. He then went to Leopardstown and ran well in the handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. If the step up in trip brings about any improvement, he’s got a solid chance under John Gleeson.”

Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Gericault Roque (e/w)

“Only two of the last 10 favourites have won this and I’ll warn you, I’ve not backed the winner in that entire decade. I’m going to go with a sporting selection in Gericault Roque, who was third here in the Ultima in 2022 and went on to be third in Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup later that year.”

4.40: Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)

10:06 , Mike Jones

Ruby Walsh’s tip: Yeah Man

“I’m giving a shout to Yeah man for the Gavin Cromwell team. He ran in the Red Mills Hurdle to get his fifth qualifying run in after finishing second in a Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown. He’s off a higher mark in the UK, but on a going day, he’s a solid proposition.”

Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Red Dirt Road (e/w)

“I’m prepared to take a chance here on a lightly raced nine-year-old who I’ve already tipped to no avail this season but I’m happy to hold my nerve and suggest a small each-way play on Red Dirt Road. He was my selection at Sandown in January, where he’d won a Grade 3 decisively last year. On this occasion, he led before going out like the proverbial light on ground described as heavy.”

4.00: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)

10:00 , Mike Jones

Ruby Walsh’s tip: Fact To File

“Fact To File can avoid back luck, he should win. Impaire Et Passe could be the one to chase him home for a Willie Mullins 1-2, but I can’t see past Fact To File.”

Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Fact To File

“I’ve been praying that Willie Mullins would send Fact To File to this race and Gaelic Warrior to the Gold Cup and I’ve got my wish in that respect. I’m not saying that Fact To File can’t win a Gold Cup but I do think he is perfectly suited by this trip at a stiff track and on more or less any ground.”

3.20: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1)

09:54 , Mike Jones

Ruby Walsh’s tip: Honesty Policy

“I can’t see a lot of pace on, and that may suit Honesty Policy, who has plenty of gears. If Gordon Elliott’s string starts firing, I’d be keen on this improving six-year-old. I loved his run at Ascot last time, and he’s a big player.

Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Bob Olinger (e/w)

“Surely it’s only the fact that he’s now an 11-year-old that means Bob Olinger is a 15/2 chance for the staying hurdlers’ championship, as I write this. He is 4-4 at Cheltenham, three of those wins coming at the Festival.”

2.40: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

09:48 , Mike Jones

Ruby Walsh’s tip: Wodhooh or Jade De Grugy

“This looks between Wodhooh and Jade De Grugy, and I’m finding it hard to split them. I can’t see Wodhooh out of the first two, and Jade De Grugy is the only one I can see beating her. The rest will struggle to match that pair for pace, so I’ll be playing them in a reverse forecast.”

Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Wodhooh

“She’s several pounds clear of the field on official ratings and I think last year’s Martin Pipe winner Wodhooh is still a half decent price at a shade of odds-on.”

2.00: Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)

09:42 , Mike Jones

Ruby Walsh’s tip: Sixmilebridge

“I really like Simmilebridge, who’s done nothing wrong over fences. He’s won all three starts over the larger obstacles, including the Scilly Isles at Sandown, where he beat Kala Conti impressively.”

Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Ben Solo (e/w)

“I think there may be some value in Ben Solo. He’s a seven-year-old trained by Rebecca Curtis and is still feeling his way as he tries to establish himself over fences. He’s certainly shown ability, having won one of his four starts over the bigger obstacles, that coming over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow last November.”

Expert tips: 1.20: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)

09:36 , Mike Jones

Ruby Walsh’s tip: Bambino Fever

“Bambino Fever has an outstanding chance. She was beaten by Oldschool Outlaw at Naas, but improved markedly to win at Fairyhouse on her second start over hurdles. She was last year’s Champion Bumper winner, and she’s in very good form at home. I couldn’t oppose her.”

Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Oldschool Outlaw (e/w)

“There’s little to choose between the top two in the market on what they’ve achieved so far but the second favourite, Oldschool Outlaw is a much bigger price than Bambino Fever, whom she’s already beaten when they met at Naas in December. Of the Brits, La Conquiere looks the most interesting.”

Cheltenham Festival 2026 tips: Experts’ best bets and 13 horses to watch on day three

09:30 , Mike Jones

The Cheltenham Festival is back and the 2026 edition promises to be action-packed before culminating in Friday’s Gold Cup with Inothewayurthinkin attempting to win the trophy for a second successive year.

St. Patrick’s Thursday looks set to follow in the footsteps of two fabulous days of racing with Willie Mullins’ Irish Gold Cup winner, Fact To File, the odds-on favourite to triumph in the Ryanair Chase (4.00pm). Also of note is another Mullins’ charge at Bambino Fever goes off in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle while Henry de Bromhead’s Slade Steel takes on the Jack Richards Novices' Chase again but without last year’s winning jockey Rachael Blackmore.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 tips, best bets and horses to watch on day three

When is 2026 Cheltenham Festival and what races are included?

09:24 , Mike Jones

The Cheltenham Festival starts on Tuesday 10 March and concludes on Friday 13 March. Fans can expect 28 races over the course of four days, with seven races per day, including 13 races run over fences across the week, 13 over hurdles plus a bumper (flat race) and a cross-country chase.

The shortest run is a little under two miles, while the longest races almost reach four miles. Fans will look out for 13 of the races run at Grade 1 standard, while five are run as Grade 2s, six Grade 3s and the other four being Listed.

The first race is scheduled for 1:20pm GMT each day, with the final race starting at 5:20pm.

How can I watch the Cheltenham Festival?

09:18 , Mike Jones

You can watch the first six races of each day at the Cheltenham Festival with ITV1, while full coverage of the Festival, including the final race of each day is available through a Racing TV subscription.

Both ITV and Racing TV provide live streams for the coverage through their apps and websites, while fans can of course tune on via the traditional television broadcast.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 race card, start times and full four-day schedule

09:12 , Mike Jones

The Cheltenham Festival is back as the National Hunt jump racing season gathers pace with the four-day bonanza of horseracing goodness one of the highlights of the sport’s calendar.

The Festival began with Champion Day before Ladies Day and then St Patrick’s Thursday, with Gold Cup Day bringing the event to a close on Friday.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 race card and full four-day schedule

St. Patrick's Thursday at Cheltenham

09:06 , Mike Jones

Today’s racecard is packed with a bunch of favourites from Wodhooh, to Teahupoo and, of course, Fact To File.

It could be a day for the punters after two stellar days for bookmakers with only four wins for favourites out of the 14 already ran.

It’s a windy day at the course and the clouds are the darkest they’ve been all week. Some rain is expected over the next couple of days which will add a different dimension to proceedings and could favour some of the lesser known prospects.

We’ll see how it all plays out.

Cheltenham row erupts as Irish amateur accuses English jockey of ‘horrific abuse’

09:01 , Jack Rathborn

The Cheltenham Festival’s starting procedures once again found themselves under intense scrutiny on Wednesday, following a heated exchange between Irish amateur Declan Queally and jockey Nico de Boinville ahead of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle.

The incident marked a continuation of the drama that plagued starts at last year’s showpiece meeting, exacerbated this year by the challenge of managing large fields.

The opening event on day two was delayed by nearly four minutes, unfolding amidst a prolonged effort to marshal 21 runners into a suitable order. Queally and De Boinville were reportedly clashing as they vied for a prime spot near the starting tapes.

Cheltenham row erupts as Irish amateur accuses English jockey of ‘horrific abuse’

Cheltenham braced for rain on Day 3 of Festival

08:57 , Jack Rathborn

Cheltenham Festival enjoyed a glorious Day 2 on Wednesday, but rain is expected on St Patrick’s Thursday.

Factor that into your picks, with the ground expected to move to soft.

It's currently raining with strong winds, that is expected to continue throughout the day, with sunshine peaking out from 5pm.

But punters should expect some tough conditions for racing and spectating today.

Thursday 12 March - St Patrick’s Thursday schedule

08:49 , Jack Rathborn

1.20: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)

2.00: Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)

2.40: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

3.20: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1)

4.00: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)

4.40: Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)

5.20: Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145)

Cheltenham Festival 2026

Wednesday 11 March 2026 11:15 , Mike Jones

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

After a fascinating opening two days, it’s time for day three as St, Patrick’s Thursday is set to turn Prestbury Park green.

We’ll have all the updates and insights throughout the day so stick us as we build up to the opening race at 1.20pm.