Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Tips - Best Bets for Thursday 12th March 2026
Day 3 of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival features prominent races including the Mares' Novices' Hurdle and the Stayers' Hurdle. Key highlights include Carrigmoornaspruce's potential in the Mares' race, and Imposer Toi's favorable stance in the Stayers' Hurdle. Tips for each race are provided, emphasizing key horses with potential for strong showings.
- Free tips for every race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival
- We're backing Impose Toi and Master Chewy each-way in the two feature races
- Kdeaux Saint Fray, Jade De Grugy and Kim Roque also feature in my Cheltenham day 3 tips
- 1:20pm Cheltenham - Mares' Novices' Hurdle Tips
- 2:00pm Cheltenham - Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase Tips
- 2:40pm Cheltenham - Mares' Hurdle Tips
- 3:20pm Cheltenham - Stayers' Hurdle Tips
- Live Stream
- 4:00pm Cheltenham - Ryanair Chase Tips
- 4:40pm Cheltenham - Pertemps Final Tips
- 5:20pm Cheltenham - Kim Muir Handicap Chase Tips
- Best Bet Of The Day
- Cheltenham Day 3 2026 FAQs
Day 3 Tips
Through the card tips for day three of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
A trio of Grade One races now headline Thursday's card at the Cheltenham Festival, with the Mares' Hurdle taking place before the Stayers' Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase. The Mares' Novices' Hurdle gets St Patrick's Day off to a flying start, before punters sink their teeth into three handicaps.
Here are my best Cheltenham day 3 tips, covering all seven races on the third day of the Festival.
- Tips updated at 11:30am on 12.3.2026
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 Thursday Tips 2026 - Day 3 Festival Best Bets
1:20pm Cheltenham - Mares' Novices' Hurdle Tips
There is some rain around on Thursday, but I doubt that will settle into the ground before the card gets underway. Decent ground should be ideal for CARRIGMOORNASPRUCE (12/1), who showed plenty of class in bumpers last season.
Carrigmoornaspruce dominated on her hurdling debut at Listowel, making all to beat four future winners by a comfortable margin. Queally's mare suffered a shock defeat in the Grade Three at Down Royal in August, but bounced back in Grade One company at Leopardstown over Christmas, staying on well from the rear to finish a five-length second behind Skylight Hustle.
When presented with a fast pace to aim at, Carrigmoornaspruce always seems to produce her best. I loved the way she travelled into the contest at Leopardstown, and you need a strong traveller in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle, as the pacesetters always go out hard and fast. Queally must think the world of her to have thrown her in with some of the best novices that Ireland has to offer. She's got a massive each-way chance.
I always like to fire a couple of darts in the Mares' Novices, which can be an unpredictable contest. I still like Kingston Queen as a long-term prospect, but she'd much prefer softer ground than this.
Three juveniles have been declared against their elders, with Charme De Faust and Mille Et Une Vie fancied against their elders. MANGANESE (40/1) will also try to make the most of a ten pound weight-for-age allowance, and Max Comley's filly deserves plenty of respect.
This daughter of Nirvana Du Berlais won nicely at Vittel over the summer, but instead of making the move to Willie Mullins or Dan Skelton, she rocked up at Comley's yard in Gloucestershire.
Manganese made the headlines at Leicester in November, where a loose horse badly hampered her on the first circuit of her hurdling debut, but still went on to beat Trad Jazz by two lengths. Manganese followed up at Catterick just before Christmas, before going on to defeat Manlaga in what turned out to be a match-race between the two Triumph entries.
David Bass' mount is tough, her form reads well, and she knows how to win. She could ruffle a few feathers in this Grade Two.
Mares' Novices' Hurdle Each-Way Bet - Carrigmoornaspruce
Mares' Novices' Hurdle Each-Way Bet - Manganese
2:00pm Cheltenham - Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase Tips
I would have been all over Koktail Divin if he'd have turned up here. Meetmebythesea is the obvious plot job, but he's a little too short in the market for my liking, and I've cooled a little on the chances of Jordans Cross.
Anthony Honeyball's other runner, KDEAUX SAINT FRAY (20/1) appeals more at the prices. Like Jordan's Cross, Rex Dingle's mount has won around Cheltenham this season, and kept on well from a horrible position off the pace to finish fourth behind his stablemate on Trials Day.
Kdeaux Saint Fray then ran a cracker in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton, losing out by two lengths to the excellent Lookaway - afterwhich I thought he'd be aimed at the Ultima. Honeyball seems to have had a late change of heart, though, and drops Kdeaux Saint Fray back in trip. He should be competitive with 10-6 on his back.
If you scroll a little further down the betting, you'll find WESTERN KNIGHT (40/1), who was last seen giving The Jukebox Kid a good race when second in the Reynoldstown at Ascot.
Joe Tizzard's seven-year-old won at Haydock on his second start over fences, before an impressive victory over future winner Kap Quest at Doncaster in January. Western Knight jumped and travelled well before being beaten five lengths behind The Jukebox Kid - who must be highly thought of by connections, as he's being aimed at the Irish Grand National.
I don't think Western Knight truly saw out three miles at Ascot. Tizzard's seven-year-old didn't get the trip when second on his only previous start around Cheltenham in the 2024 Bristol Novices' Hurdle, where he bumped into the classy Jet Blue. Brendan Powell's mount is a neat jumper, who likes good ground and seems to be well-treated. He could go well at a huge price.
Jack Richards Each-Way Bet - Kdeaux Saint Fray
Jack Richards Each-Way Bet - Western Knight
2:40pm Cheltenham - Mares' Hurdle Tips
In my ante-post guide to this year's Mares' Hurdle, I put up JADE DE GRUGY (7/2) at 8/1 in the NRNB market. I fancied Lossiemouth would head for the Champion Hurdle, which would surely mean that Willie Mullins rerouted Jade De Grugy from the Mares' Chase - where he's represented by Dinoblue and Spindleberry.
Paul Townend's mount finished second to Lossiemouth in this race last year, before going on to slam both Gala Marceau and Brighterdaysahead in the equivalent race at Punchestown. Mullins' mare didn't jump well on her chasing debut, but went close behind a classy rival in The Big Westerner at Limerick over Christmas, and was last seen claiming an emphatic victory at Grade Two level at Thurles.
Jade De Grugy is only rated only four pounds inferior to Wodhooh. Feet Of A Dancer and Take No Chances deserve a mention, but for me, this is a two-horse race, and I'll be backing Jade De Grugy to take down Gordon Elliott's favourite.
Mares' Hurdle Best Bet - Jade De Grugy
3:20pm Cheltenham - Stayers' Hurdle Tips
I backed Honesty Policy at 25/1 at the start of the season, so naturally I'd be happy if he won. However, Gordon Elliott's charge looked tiny compared to his rivals when third in the Long Walk Hurdle, and Gordon tried to get another run into his inexperienced star before coming to the Stayers' Hurdle, but couldn't due to soft ground. I wouldn't be in a rush to back Honesty Policy at his current price, while Teahupoo would want the going to be a little softer.
As long as the ground on St Patrick's Day remains on the good side, I'd be happy to chance IMPOSE TOI (12/1) at a double-figure price in this year's Stayers' Hurdle.
Impose Toi utilised his excellent turn-of-foot to win at both Aintree and Newbury in November. It was a similar story in the Long Walk Hurdle, where Nico de Boinville's mount tracked the leaders throughout, and quickened past Strong Leader after the final flight to claim his first Grade One win.
I thought the bookmakers overreacted to his defeat in the Cleeve Hurdle. The even-money favourite jumped the first hurdle poorly and never seemed comfortable on testing ground. Ma Shantou, on the other hand, excelled in such conditions and ran out an impressive winner, as Impose Toi plugged on up the hill to finish second.
Henderson's eight-year-old won't have to give Ma Shantou six pounds again at the Festival, and he is a proven winner at the track. He's a good value option in an open renewal of the Stayers' Hurdle.
Stayers' Hurdle Each-Way Bet - Impose Toi
Live Stream
Visit our Stayers' Hurdle Live Stream page if you want to watch any race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival via a mobile or tablet.
4:00pm Cheltenham - Ryanair Chase Tips
It's nice to see that Fact To File will have a bit of competition in this year's Ryanair Chase. Banbridge will love nice ground, and ran a screamer in the King George last time out.
Jonbon has been declared, despite Nicky Henderson stating that he would skip this year's Cheltenham Festival. Despite two victories in the Shloer Chase, Jonbon never jumps well around Cheltenham, and I wouldn't fancy him on the back of two hard races at Ascot.
Impaire Et Passe and Heart Wood are available at single-figure prices. Matata, JPR One and Croke Park have been declared. I still think Fact To File will win comfortably, but I might have a speculative punt on the outsider of the field, MASTER CHEWY (100/1).
Sam Twiston-Davies' mount was rallying well in this race 12 months ago, before he dived at the second-last and his effort flattened out. Master Chewy went close on his reappearance in the Old Roan, and when second to Edwardstone in the Silviniaco Conti Chase. His form around those efforts hasn't been great, but Master Chewy is classy on his day, and I don't think he should be a 100/1 shot for the Ryanair Chase.
Ryanair Chase Each-Way Bet - Master Chewy
4:40pm Cheltenham - Pertemps Final Tips
I've had a change of heart with my Pertemps Final selections. Kikijo was my ante-post pick, and despite being confirmed in the field, I fear the ground has gone totally against him. Bold Endeavour was then a speculative punt at 20/1, in the hope that he might place, but Nicky Henderson's form this week has seen him smashed into an unbackable price.
Despite a poor Irish turnout on the whole, I feel the value here could lie with MINELLA EMPEROR (16/1). Emmet Mullins' seven-year-old won a good ground bumper at Cork in October, and improved with each of his four starts in novice hurdles.
Michael O'Neill, who both owns and rides the horse, was in the saddle when Minella Emperor was third behind the classy You Proof and my Albert Bartlett fancy, King's Bucks. Emmet's gelding was then second at Thurles to Willie Mullins' Espresso Milan, who'll also take his chance in that Grade One on Gold Cup day.
To get his novice qualified for the Festival, Mullins sent Minella Emperor over to Haydock for the qualifier in February, where he ran a lovely race to finish a clear second behind the impressive Champagne Chic. The British handicapper only gave Minella Emperor one extra pound when the weights were announced, and O'Neill's seven-pound claimer leaves this improving novice carrying just 9-13.
Pertemps Final Each-Way Bet - Minella Emperor
5:20pm Cheltenham - Kim Muir Handicap Chase Tips
Joseph O'Brien switched KIM ROQUE (9/1) from the Ultima to the Kim Muir at the last minute, and he's booked former Champion Bumper winner John Gleeson to take the ride on this well-handicapped six-year-old.
O'Brien's French recruit had his first two starts in Ronnie Bartlett's colours here at Cheltenham, finishing second to Kdeaux Saint Fray in November before a fourth-place finish in the December Gold Cup. Kim Roque fared best of those who raced close to the pace in the big Leopardstown Handicap Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival, keeping on to finish five lengths adrift of Backmersackme.
I doubt Gleeson will be as aggressive as Kim Roque steps up before three miles for the first time. O'Brien's raider is definitely well-handicapped, and has experience around the track. If he stays, I think he wins.
One who is guaranteed to see out this trip is Emma Lavelle's KING'S THRESHOLD (25/1), who'll be ridden by an excellent Irish amateur in Harry Swan.
King's Threshold comes alive on good spring ground. Lavelle's eight-year-old won handicaps at Windsor and Newbury last spring, and returns to Cheltenham on the back of an impressive victory in the Madarin Handicap at Newbury. Ben Jones' mount powered into contention that day and strode four lengths clear in the closing stages, beating future Somerset National winner Rivers Corner, and future Eider runner-up Only The Bold.
Swan's mount endured a rough passage through the race when well-beaten here in October, but that run would have given King's Threshold a good sighter at the course he'll tackle today. This strong stayer has been freshened up by Lavelle, who knows how to ready one for the Cheltenham Festival. Swan is an positive jockey booking too.
Kim Muir Handicap Chase Best Bet - Kim Roque
Kim Muir Handicap Chase Each-Way Bet - King's Threshold
Kim Muir Handicap Chase Each-Way Bet - King's Threshold
Best Bet Of The Day
See our NAP Of The Day page to find out which runner we've picked as our best bet from our Thurday's Cheltenham tips.
Cheltenham Day 3 2026 FAQs
What time does racing start on Cheltenham Day 3?
Racing on day three of the Cheltenham Festival begins at 1:20pm (UK time). Seven races are run throughout the afternoon, with the final race taking place at around 5:20pm.
What races are run on Cheltenham Festival Day 3?
The Stayers' Hurdle is the feature race on St Patrick's Day at the Cheltenham Festival. Two further Grade Ones, the Mares' Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase will also be run on Thursday.
Why is Cheltenham Day 3 called St Patrick's Day?
Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival is often referred to as St Patrick’s Thursday due to the large number of Irish runners, trainers and racegoers attending the meeting.
Which favourites will run on Cheltenham Day 3?
Fact To File is the big favourite on day three, as Willie Mullins' star attempted to defend his Ryanair Chase crown. Wodhooh is a short price for the Mares' Hurdle, and Teahupoo is fancied to regain his crown in the Stayers' Hurdle.
Is Jonbon running at the Cheltenham Festival?
Yes. Despite Nicky Henderson saying his Ascot Chase winner would wait for Aintree, Jonbon has been confirmed for the Ryanair Chase.
When is the Cheltenham Festival 2026?
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 takes place from Tuesday 10th March to Friday 13th March 2026 at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Verdict
Cheltenham Day 3 2026 Top Tips:
Jade De Grugy
2:40pm Cheltenham
@7/2 - 5 Units
Bet £20 Get £10
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Impose Toi E/W
3:20pm Cheltenham
@12/1 - 5 Units
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Carrigmoornaspruce E/W
1:20pm Cheltenham
@12/1 - 5 Units
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Kim Roque
5:20pm Cheltenham
@9/1 - 5 Units
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