Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Picks, Schedule & Preview

Horse Racing

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St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated at the Cheltenham Festival on Day 3 of the meet, with five graded races included on a stacked day of horse racing. Find our picks for Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival here.

How to Watch

• When: Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 8:20 AM ET
• Where: Cheltenham Racecourse, England
• How to Watch: FanDuel TV/Racing TV

Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Guide

The full running order for the Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival be found below:

• 8:20 AM ET- G2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
• 9:00 AM ET- G2 Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase
• 9:40 AM ET- G1 Mares’ Hurdle
• 10:20 AM ET- G1 Stayers’ Hurdle
• 11:00 AM ET- G1 Ryanair Chase
• 11:40 AM ET- Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
• 12:20 PM ET- Kim Muir Challenge Cup

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Cheltenham Festival Day 3: Mares’ Hurdle Pick & Preview

The first of three Grade Ones on Day 3 is the Mares’ Hurdle, moved to the Thursday from the Tuesday for the first time in 2026. A stiff stamina test over an extended two miles and four on the new course awaits the mares, with the betting dominated by two-time winner Lossiemouth.

However, I’m a huge fan of Gordon Elliott-trained Wodhooh, and this fast-improving six-year-old could reverse the form with Lossiemouth from last year’s G1 Aintree Hurdle. Wodhooh has plenty of Cheltenham form in the book, including a Festival win in last year’s Martin Pipe.

Has continued to progress this term, including landing a graded race at Leopardstown in December. Still progressing, and has won nine from ten starts over hurdles.

Free Pick:

• Wodhooh

Cheltenham Festival Day 3: Stayers’ Hurdle Pick & Preview

The traditional feature on Cheltenham Festival Day 3 is the G1 Stayers’ Hurdle, run over a mammoth three miles. Teahupoo is a deserving favorite after looking better than ever. However, the fact that the nine-year-old has been turned over as favorite in two of the last three editions is concerning.

Therefore, I’d be willing to forgive Impose Toi’s second in the G2 Cleeve Hurdle last time, as that could have been one too many runs at the start of the season.

The eight-year-old has already won in Grade One company this season, beating Strong Leader and Honesty Policy impressively in the Long Walk. A return to better ground could see him reverse the form with Mo Shantou, but he will need to be delivered late.

Free Pick:

• Impose Toi

Cheltenham Festival Day 3: Ryanair Chase Pick & Preview

Uncertainty still surrounds the G1 Ryanair Chase, as the complexion of the betting will be impacted by the horses that line up.

Fact To File will be extremely difficult to beat for Irish maestro Willie Mullins if he lines up, having dominated this race 12 months ago, and since having dominated impressively in the G1 Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival. If he turns up, he will be the one to beat.

If not, Banbridge should be capable of running a big race after bouncing back to his very best form with a very close second in the G1 King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

Free Pick:

• Fact To File

Cheltenham Day 3 Picks