Day 3 of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, set for Thursday, March 12, features seven races including three Grade 1 events. Expert predictions highlight Teahupoo as the NAP in the Stayers’ Hurdle, with Bambino Fever tipped as the most likely winner overall. Irish-trained horses are expected to dominate key contests.
The Cheltenham Festival's third day, known as St Patrick’s Thursday, will take place on March 12, 2026, showcasing seven races at the Prestbury Park course. Among the highlights are the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at 13:20, the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at 14:40, the Stayers’ Hurdle at 15:20, and the Ryanair Chase at 16:00.
In the opening race, the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, Bambino Fever, trained by Willie Mullins, is selected at 4/5 odds with Sky Bet. The horse has a progressive profile and is considered a solid outright winner. For the Limited Handicap Chase at 14:10, Regents Stroll, under Paul Nicholls, is tipped each-way at 6/1 with BetVictor, noted for consistency and jumping ability.
The Mares’ Hurdle features Wodhooh, trained by Gordon Elliott, at 10/11 with Bet365. Described as unexposed with vast potential, the horse has shown improvements in recent runs at Leopardstown and Ascot. Teahupoo, also from Elliott's stable, is the NAP for the Stayers’ Hurdle at 9/4 with Sky Bet. The nine-year-old, who won the 2024 Stayers’ Hurdle, is praised as an established Grade 1 performer with relentless galloping and stamina suited to the Cheltenham hill.
Gaelic Warrior is selected for the Ryanair Chase at 15/8, bringing versatility and prior Cheltenham success from the 2024 Arkle win. In the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at 16:40, Ace of Spades, trained by Dan Skelton, offers value at 12/1 with Virgin Bet, having improved over three miles. The day closes with Jeriko Du Reponet, under Nicky Henderson, tipped win at 4/1 with Paddy Power in the Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase.
Trends indicate Irish dominance, with Willie Mullins holding a strong record, including five Ryanair Chase wins. Most Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle winners in the past decade have been five or six years old, while Ryanair Chase victors are typically seven to nine. An accumulator treble of Bambino Fever, Teahupoo, and Gaelic Warrior is suggested at 21/1 each-way.
