Cheltenham Festival 2026: Betting and Trends for Day 3

We're a week away from the Cheltenham Festival kicking off, and there is still some value to be found in the markets. So, let's take a look at the betting markets and some trends for each race on Day Three of the festival.

St Patricks Day Betting Tips

Below, you can find the trends and insights for the seven races on Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival. The odds were correct at the time of writing.

Mares Novices' Hurdle Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race, and then move on to the analysis.

There are only a few to really note in the first race on Thursday, and the first is that we are looking for a horse trained by Willie Mullins, and then that they were bred in France. I know, we're asking for a lot here!

So, with the trends out of the way. Let's take a little look at the market.

As is the case with Cheltenham, punters are a bit in the dark with one contender for this race, Oldschool Outlaw. However, she does not top the market; instead, that place is currently reserved for Bambino Fever.

The mare impressively won the Champion Bumper last season and will bid for another Cheltenham win this season in the opener on Thursday.

She has only lost once in her career over hurdles, to the second favourite, Oldschool Outlaw. However, there has been a bit of a drift on her this week, with the market showing a risk that she misses the festival, though this is not anywhere near certain.

Echoing Silence, then, could also be worth a look, given she is currently around the 10/1 mark with some of the best horse racing bookmakers. She certainly holds a bit of E/W value, if nothing else.

Bambino Fever is one of the most backed horses for the festival, so it may not matter what Oldschool Outlaw does. However, for the sake of the race, you'd hope that it was as competitive as possible!

Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase Trends and Analysis

Given this is the first running of the Jack Richards, we don't really have any trends to go off. So, it is a case of just looking at the market and taking a stab!

Unfortunately, it is not made much easier by the fact that several decent chances in this race could head elsewhere in the festival. Koktail Divin, who is the market leader, could well head to the Brown Advisory Novice Chase, which makes things much more difficult.

If he were not to go, though, he would have a strong chance in the race, without a doubt.

However, the next two options are only entered into this race, so they could well be the best chances we have at the time of writing. Here, we are discussing Meetmebythesea and Regent's Stroll.

Both are trained by the English, and should be given decent chances, indeed. In fact, the JP McManus option, trained by Ben Pauling, has been considered as one of the best chances of the week for some.

Kim Roque, potentially, could be a decent shout for the race, too, even if he has been a bit underwhelming this season. Off 10-4, he could hold a big chance here.

Mares Hurdle Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race, and then move on to the analysis.

In the Mares Hurdle, Willie Mullins is, again, the man to keep an eye on with 11 winners from 17. The favourite has often won, and we are looking for a rating of 150 or above.

Like the other Mares Hurdle on this day, there are questions about the destination of one horse. Instead of it being the second favourite this time, it regards Lossiemouth, who would be the favourite if she lined up here.

The Rich Ricci mare has been touted for a Champion Hurdle push this season, but it appears more and more likely that she will compete in the mares' race, despite the lack of quality of the aforementioned Tuesday option.

Wodhooh, on the other hand, looks pretty set to line up here on Thursday, and if Lossiemouth does get rerouted to Tuesday's championship race, you would imagine that she would have a clear route, and she would be one of the easiest bets of the day!

You could certainly argue that she has the quality to challenge the Willie Mullins-trained mare too, if she does not re-route. However, it may just be as simple as Lossiemouth and job done if not...

Stayers Hurdles Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race, and then move on to the analysis.

For the Stayers' Hurdle, it is worth keeping an eye on double-figure prices, with several recently winning. Additionally, six and seven-year-olds tend to do well here, so this is another thing to note.

This race could actually be one of the best Championship races of the festival, and it is not outrageous to suggest that. There are certainly a few different options at the top of the market.

Teahupoo comes into this race with a strong chance to regain his crown after being second to Bob Olinger last year. If he were to win, he would be the first in almost 20 years to win the race again after previously losing it.

Honesty Police is the second favourite, and he is also trained by Gordon Elliott, who believes he has a strong chance coming into this race. However, there may be a bit too much class between them.

Kabral Du Mathan represents the best English chance in the race, with Dan Skelton speaking highly of this six-year-old after a strong campaign. With three wins this season, Ma Shantou could also represent a good bet, especially with the stats looking favourable on horses coming from the Albert Bartlett the previous year.

Bob Olinger also has a fantastic chance to win again here. Henry De Bromhead is keen on his chances, and whilst he is getting on a bit, there is no denying that the 11-year-old still has a bit left in the tank. He must be respected as the reigning champion.

Ryanair Chase Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race, and then move on to the analysis.

For the Ryanair, there is not really much to note. However, if they have won at Cheltenham before, it is a big pointer about their chances here. Additionally, losses this season are not too much to worry about.

It feels like most races on Thursday have an element of 'Will they? Won't they' and the Ryanair is no different! However, it seems to be a little bit clearer.

Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior have both been touted with Gold Cup attempts, and both would hold strong claims for it. However, one is likely to come for this race.

As of Thursday morning, it seems more likely that it is the JP McManus-owned Fact To File who heads to defend his Ryanair trophy. Being potentially overconfident here, it should just be that simple, too.

He is a potential Gold Cup horse, and to have him in this race may just make things all too easy for punters.

Barring the Mullins duo, Heart Wood would hold a strong chance of a place, and his form this season has been rather solid, even placing fourth behind Gaelic Warrior in November.

Past those two, I don't have many interests in the race, largely because the options for it are so slim with so many others more likely to head elsewhere...

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle Trends and Analysis

To start off, we'll go through the trends for this race, and then move on to the analysis.

In the Pertemps, we are looking for a winner over 3 miles prior to the festival, carrying more than 11 stone, ideally. Gordon Elliott is one to watch here, whilst it is best to look away from the favourites, who have a poor record.

As is rather common with the handicaps, Dan Skelton is the trainer of the favourite, Supremely West, and he has been backed heavily in the weeks leading up to this race.

Bold Endeavour could be a shout for Nicky Henderson at 20/1, given he has trained some placers in the last few years. This could be another in that line, perhaps even more!

Yeah Man could be a standout for Gavin Cromwell, who is also priced at 20/1. Whilst it was two years ago, he has won over 3 miles previously, but his recent form has been pretty dismal.

Finally, Duke Silver could hold a decent Each-Way chance for Joseph O'Brien. He beat Yeah Man in December and has also won over 3 miles this season. Considering this is his only entry for the festival, it seems that he could be a nice price!

Kim Muir Amateur Jockey Handicap Chase Trends and Analysis

The final race on Day Three is the Kim Muir, and there are a few more trends to look at.

Indeed, we are looking for a few things here. Firstly, a horse over 11 stone once again, but under nine years old. Gordon Elliott's record here is brilliant, whilst the market leaders have had a good time in this race lately. Let's dive in.

Jeriko Du Reponet is the current favourite; he is certainly over 11 stone. In fact, he is the top weight in this race, as things stand. However, his RPR is lower than his rating, so it seems like the handicapper may have done him a tad harshly.

Prends Garde A Toi and The Enabler look like Elliott's best chance in the race this season, and the former is still available at the price of 16/1, which is certainly still value.

At the age of seven, he certainly fits the statistics well, even if he is not a market leader.

Considering there are only two horses under 10/1, this race could throw up a big winner, even if the stats point more in favour of the stronger prices in recent years.