Cheltenham Festival 2026 Day 3 Declarations - Jonbon and Impaire Et Passe take on Fact To File in the Ryanair
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 continues with exciting races on Day 3. Key events include the Mares' Novices' Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase. Notably, the Ryanair Chase features top contenders like Fact To File, with surprise runners Jonbon and Impaire Et Passe joining the fray. Former King George VI Chase victor Banbridge adds intrigue, along with strong entries from Heart Wood, Croke Park, JPR One, Master Chewy, and Matata. This lineup promises gripping competition, highlighting the prowess and strategy of trainers and jockeys across seven thrilling races.
- Final declarations for day three of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival
- Jonbon and Impaire Et Passe were confirmed against Fact To File in the Ryanair
- Teahupoo heads field of 11 in the Stayers' Hurdle
Here are the confirmed runners and jockey bookings information for all seven races on day three of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham Day 3 Card - Thursday 12th March 2026
| Time | Thursday Races | Status | Distance |
| 13:20 | Mares Novices' Hurdle | Grade Two | 2m 1f |
| 14:00 | Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase | Grade Two Handicap | 2m 4f |
| 14:40 | Mares' Hurdle | Grade One | 2m 4f |
| 15:20 | Stayers' Hurdle | Grade One | 3m |
| 16:00 | Ryanair Chase | Grade One | 2m 4f |
| 16:40 | Pertemps Final | Listed Handicap | 3m |
| 17:20 | Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Class Two Handicap | 3m 2f |
Cheltenham 2026 Day 3 Declarations
1:20pm Mares' Novices' Hurdle
- Al Fonce
- Amen Kate
- Bambino Fever
- Blue Velvet
- Carrigmoornaspruce
- Chosen Comrade
- Diamond Du Berlais
- Echoing Silence
- Full Of Life
- Future Prospect
- Jackie Hobbs
- Kingston Queen
- La Conquiere
- Louve D'Irlande
- Oldschool Outlaw
- Place De La Nation
- Scavengers Reign
- St Irene
- White Noice
- Charme De Faust
- Manganese
- Mille Et Une Vies
A full field of 22 will contest Thursday's opener at the Cheltenham Festival. Bambino Fever is the even-money favourite, ahead of Oldschool Outlaw and Carrigmoornaspruce. Three juveniles have been entered against their elders too, with Mille Et Une Vies, Charme De Faust and Manganese set to receive ten pounds at the weights.
2:00pm Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase
- Gold Dancer
- Sixmilebridge
- Slade Steel
- Regent's Stroll
- Ol Man Dingle
- King Alexander
- Wingmen
- Kiss Will
- Moon Rocket
- Jordans Cross
- Meetmebythesea
- Intense Approach
- Stencil
- Western Knight
- Old Cowboy
- The Bluesman
- Where's My Jet
- Kdeaux Saint Fray
- Dr Eggman
- Ben Solo
Meetmebythesea has risen to the head of the market for this novices' handicap chase. Regent's Stroll and Slade Steel have been well-supported too. Gold Dancer tops the weights, ahead of Grade One winner Sixmilebridge. Ben Solo sneaks in off his mark of 132.
2:40pm Mares' Hurdle
| No. | Name | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dream On Baby | Darragh O'Keeffe | Emmet Mullins |
| 2 | Feet Of A Dancer | Sean O'Keeffe | Paul Nolan |
| 3 | Jade De Grugy | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 4 | Jetara | Danny Gilligan | Jessica Harrington |
| 5 | Sunset Marquesa | Brendan Powell | Joe Tizzard |
| 6 | Take No Chances | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 7 | Wodhooh | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott |
Just seven runners have been declared for the Mares' Hurdle. Gordon Elliott's Wodhooh dominates the betting. Paul Townend rides last year's runner-up Jade De Grugy, after she was reverted away from the Mares' Chase.
Last year's third, Take No Chances runs again for the Skeltons. Feet Of A Dancer runs here instead of the Stayers' Hurdle. Dream On Baby, Jetara and Sunset Marquesa round off the betting.
Last year's third, Take No Chances runs again for the Skeltons. Feet Of A Dancer runs here instead of the Stayers' Hurdle. Dream On Baby, Jetara and Sunset Marquesa round off the betting.
3:20pm Stayers' Hurdle
| No. | Namer | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ballyburn | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 2 | Bob Olinger | Darragh O'Keeffe | Henry De Bromhead |
| 3 | Doddiethegreat | James Bowen | Nicky Henderson |
| 4 | Gwennie May Boy | Jack Tudor | Christian Williams |
| 5 | Hewick | Paddy Hanlon | Shark Hanlon |
| 6 | Home By The Lee | JJ Slevin | Joseph O'Brien |
| 7 | Honesty Policy | Mark Walsh | Gordon Elliott |
| 8 | Impose Toi | Nico De Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
| 9 | Kabral Du Mathan | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 10 | Ma Shantou | Harry Cobden | Emma Lavelle |
| 11 | Teahupoo | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott |
Teahupoo headlines a field of 11 runners in Thursday's Stayers' Hurdle. Bob Olinger returns to defend his crown, this time with Darragh O'Keeffe in the saddle. Paul Townend rides Ballyburn, who'll be wearing a first-time hood on St Patrick's Day.
Kabral Du Mathan goes for the Skeltons. Ma Shantou will attempt to win Emma Lavelle a second Stayers' Hurdle. Impose Toi does indeed take up his entry. Honesty Policy is the ride of Mark Walsh. Hewick, Home By The Lee, Doddiethegreat and Gwennie May Boy complete the field.
4:00pm Ryanair Chase
| No. | Name | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banbridge | Sean Bowen | Joseph O'Brien |
| 2 | Croke Park | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott |
| 3 | Fact To File | Mark Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 4 | Heart Wood | Darragh O'Keeffe | Henry De Bromhead |
| 5 | Impaire Et Passe | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 6 | Jonbon | Nico De Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
| 7 | JPR One | Brendan Powell | Joe Tizzard |
| 8 | Matata | JJ Slevin | Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies |
| 9 | Master Chewy | Sam Twiston-Davies | Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies |
For a while, it looked like Fact To File would have little to no competition in this year's Ryanair Chase. However, not one, but two surprise contenders were revealed, as both Jonbon and Impaire Et Passe were confirmed in the final field.
Former King George VI Chase winner Banbridge adds a little extra spice to Thursday's feature. Heart Wood and Croke Park also feature for Ireland, with JPR One, Master Chewy and Matata completing the line-up.
4:40pm Pertemps Final
- Staffordshire Knot
- Gowel Road
- Electric Mason
- Ace Of Spades
- Minella Sixo
- Kikijo
- Supremely West
- Absolutely Doyen
- Red Dirt Road
- Classic King
- Lavida Adiva
- Ikarak
- Duke Silver
- Yeah Man
- Melbourne Shamrock
- Idy Wood
- Letos
- Champagne Chic
- C'Est Different
- Minella Emperor
- Bold Endeavour
- Onewaywest
- Idem
- Ike Sport
- Lihyan
- Turndlightsdownlow
Staffordshire Knot and Gowel Road will have to give a healthy chunk of weight to their rivals in the Pertemps Final. Dan Skelton's plot job, Supremely West leads C'Est Different in the market. Emmet Mullins has booked a seven-pound claimer to ride Minella Emperor.
5:20pm Kim Muir
- Jeriko Du Reponet
- Monbeg Genius
- The Enabler
- Insurrection
- Sandor Clegane
- Il Ridoto
- Prends A Garde A Toi
- Herakles Westwood
- King's Threshold
- Weveallbeencaught
- Waterford Whispers
- Uncle Bert
- Daily Present
- Olympic Man
- Excello
- Glengouly
- Road To Home
- Cave Court
- Kim Roque
- Gericault Roque
- No Time To Wait
- Ask Brewster
- Hung Jury
- Lord Accord
- J'Arrive De L'Est
- Hunter Legend
Derek O'Connor has been confirmed in the saddle of top-weight and favourite, Jeriko Du Reponet. Alan O'Sullivan will take the ride on Waterford Whispers. John Gleeson rides Kim Roque for Joseph O'Brien. Daily Present returns to defend his crown. J'Arrive De L'Est has managed to sneak into the Kim Muir, despite a lowly mark of just 126.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
28 May 2026
- 2026 Brigadier Gerard Stakes -
- Horse Racing
30 May 2026
- 2026 Lester Piggott Stakes -
- Horse Racing
05 June 2026
- 2026 Epsom Oaks -
- Horse Racing
Load More
