Cheltenham Day 3 preview: Find the best day 3 tips for St Patrick’s Thursday
DAY three is St Patrick's Day at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival with all eyes on the Grade 1 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.
In this Cheltenham Day 3 preview, we'll take a closer look at the runners, riders, eye-catching statistics and standout contenders for all seven races, including the feature race of the day.
Cheltenham Festival 2024 Day 3 Races
There are seven races scheduled for Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival 2024.
Below are the dates, times and everything you'll need to know.
| Date | Time | Race | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/03 | 13:30 | The Turners Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) | 2m abt 4f | Chase |
| 14/03 | 14:10 | The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) (Premier Handicap) | Abt 3m | Hurdle |
| 14/03 | 14:50 | The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1) | 2m abt 4½f | Chase |
| 14/03 | 15:30 | The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) | abt 3m | Hurdle |
| 14/03 | 16:10 | The TrustATrader Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap) | 2m abt 4½f | Chase |
| 14/03 | 16:50 | The Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m abt 1f | Hurdle |
| 14/03 | 17:30 | The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Sponsored by The JRL Group) Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145) | 3m abt 2f | Chase |
About Cheltenham Festival Day 3
There's an unparalleled party atmosphere on Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival with those in attendance celebrating St Patrick's Day in style. St Patrick’s Thursday features a quality seven racecard with not one but TWO championship races in the Ryanair Steeple Chase and Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.
There's always strong Irish presence at Cheltenham Festival with over 68,000 spectators bringing the green and the glamour and hoping for yet another victory in the Prestbury Cup.
Cheltenham Day 3 predictions and best odds
Here, we take a closer look at all seven races and provide our best bets, tips and analysis for Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival, starting with the feature race of the day - The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.
The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle bets and best odds
- Teahupoo - 5/2
- Irish Point - 7/2
- Crambo - 5/1
- Noble Yeats - 8/1
- Sir Gerhard - 10/1
- Flooring Porter 12/1
- Monkfish - 12/1
- Home By The Lee - 14/1
- Paisley Park - 14/1
The Stayers' Hurdle is the feature race on Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival 2024. The Grade 1 contest is run over a distance of about 3 miles and has been won by some illustrious names, including four-time winner Big Buck’s.
A number of horses have won the Stayers' Hurdle on multiple occasions, the most recent of which was Gavin Cromwell's Flooring Porter. Eight of the last nine winners were aged either 6 or 7 - but 11yo Sire Du Berlais bucked the trend last year when landing at 33/1 under Mark Walsh.
Given the number of repeat winners, it's no surprise to see past winners including Flooring Porter and Sire Du Berlais back again in this severe test of stamina, although they both feature at double-figure prices in the betting markets.
Teahupoo is the leading contender at 5/2 to land a second-consecutive Stayers' Hurdle success for trainer Gordon Elliott. The seven-year-old bay gelding finished third in last year's race, beaten less than a length as a 6yo having got into trouble with Dashel Drasher on the straight.
Teahupoo arrives having beaten odds-on favourite Impaire Et Passe by a length in the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in early December.
Stablemate Irish Point is next in the betting at 7/2. He's won his last four starts, and looked particularly fluent when winning the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on his first try over three miles.
Crambo, who beat rivals Paisley Park and Dashel Drasher at Ascot in December, is offered at 5/1. A progressive horse no doubt, but trainer Fergal O'Brien admits that he's 'definitely' got to take another step forward to be competitive.
The 2022 Grand National winner Noble Yeats is available at 8/1, ahead of two-time winner Flooring Porter and Monkfish at 12s with Emma Lavelle's 12yo Paisley Park further behind at 14/1.
The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle prize money
The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle offers a total prize fund of £325,000 with the winner receiving just shy of £183,000.
Below is the full breakdown;
- 1st: £182,878
- 2nd: £68,900
- 3rd: £34,482
- 4th: £17,225
- 5th: £8,645
- 6th: £4,322
- 7th: £2,145
- 8th: £1,105
Stayers' Hurdle jockey overview
The runners and riders haven't yet been confirmed for the 2024 Champion Hurdle. However, trainer Gordon Elliott has said that he'll be “shocked” if Jack Kennedy did not pick Teahupoo over Irish Point in next week's Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival 2024.
Stayers' Hurdle trainer overview
Gordon Elliott won this race last year, and is perhaps more than likely to win it again with his pair (Teahupoo and Irish Point) the leading two in the betting markets. Three of the last 12 winners were favourites, five out of 12 winners were in the top three in the betting.
Stayers' Hurdle previous winners
Below are the last five winners of the Stayers' Hurdle on Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival.
| Year | Winner | Winning jockey | Winning trainer | Starting price | Age |
| 2023 | Sire Du Berlais | Mark Walsh | Gordon Elliott | 33/1 | 11 |
| 2022 | Flooring Porter | Danny Mullins | Gavin Cromwell | 4/1 | 7 |
| 2021 | Flooring Porter | Danny Mullins | Gavin Cromwell | 12/1 | 6 |
| 2020 | Lisnagar Oscar | Adam Wedge | Rebecca Curtis | 50/1 | 7 |
| 2019 | Paisley Park | Aidan Coleman | Emma Lavelle | 11/8 | 7 |
The Turners Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) best odds
Fact To File is the favourite in the antepost market for the Turners, although it's possible he'll be entered for Brown Advisory Chase instead. Ginny's Destiny is second in the betting market to win for trainer Paul Nicholls, who won this race last year with Stage Star.
- Fact To File 6/4
- Ginnys Destiny 5/2
- Grey Dawning 5/2
- Facile Vega 7/2
- Gaelic Warrior 7/2
- Iroko 5/1
- Il Etait Temps 9/1
*All races at Cheltenham Festival will declare at the 48-hour stage.
The Pertemps Network Final best odds
A typically wide-open field for the Pertemps with Gordon Elliott's 6yo Cleatus Poolaw the narrow favourite. Age is clearly a huge factor in this race in recent history with 10 of the last 12 winners being aged between 6 and 8.
- Cleatus Poolaw 6/1
- Gaoth Chuil 7/1
- Chantry House 15/2
- Gabbys Cross 9/1
- Icare Allen 9/1
- Springwell Bay 10/1
- White Rhino 10/1
*All races at Cheltenham Festival will declare at the 48-hour stage.
The Ryanair Steeple Chase best odds
A big draw on St Patrick's Day is the Ryanair Steeple Chase with the betting markets currently led by El Fabiolo. Though favourite, El Fabiolo is far more likely to line up in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Banbridge, who won the 2022 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, is next and should be hard to beat if the ground is good.
- El Fabiolo 6/4
- Banbridge 5/2
- Envoi Allen 7/2
- Stage Star 4/1
- Fastorslow 4/1
- Capodanno 6/1
- Conflated 7/1
- Edwardstone 10/1
*All races at Cheltenham Festival will declare at the 48-hour stage.
The TrustATrader Plate best odds
Jonjo O'Neill is hopeful that Crebilly can justify favouritism for the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase. Theater Man is next at 6/1 having finished second in the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase behind Ginny’s Destiny.
- Crebilly 4/1
- Theatre Man 6/1
- Ash Tree Meadow 10/1
- In Excelsis Deo 10/1
- Letsbeclearaboutit 10/1
- Madara 10/1
- Saint Roi 10/1
- Cool Survivor 12/1
*All races at Cheltenham Festival will declare at the 48-hour stage.
The Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle best odds
Brighterdaysahead is a hot fancy for Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, priced at 6/4 to win for trainer Gordon Elliott. The talented Jade De Grugy is next after successive wins at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse for Willie Mullins.
- Brighterdaysahead 6/4
- Jade De Grugy 9/4
- Dysart Enos 7/2
- Golden Ace 10/1
- Fun Fun Fun 16/1
- Birdie Or Bust 16/1
- Aston Martini 16/1
*All races at Cheltenham Festival will declare at the 48-hour stage.
The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup best odds
The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup is a handicap chase for amateur riders only, and is led by Gavin Cromwell's 6yo Inothewayurthinkin - although only one of the last 10 favourites won.
- Inothewayurthinkin 7/2
- Perceval Legallois 5/1
- Good Time Jonny 6/1
- Angels Dawn 8/1
- Cool Survivor 10/1
- Amirite 12/1
- Whacker Clan 12/1
*All races at Cheltenham Festival will declare at the 48-hour stage.
Find the best Cheltenham betting offers
| Betting offer | Betting type |
|---|---|
| AK Bets Cheltenham boosted betting offer | 25% boosted odds; Code "AKLUCKY100" |
| bet365 Cheltenham betting offer | bonus code - "SUN365" |
| Betway Cheltenham betting offer | £30 matched free bet if your first acca loses + free acca everyday |
| 10bet Cheltenham betting offer | £5 FREE BET for every £40 Cheltenham bet |
| BetMGM Cheltenham betting offer | £60 in FREE BETS |
| Copybet Cheltenham offer | Bet £10 get £50 |
How to bet on Cheltenham races for Day 3
- Choose an online bookmaker form our list.
- Visit the site and sign up for an account.
- Verify your account and make a deposit.
- Head over to the horse racing section of the site.
- Select the race you wish to bet on.
- Look through the available markets and select your bet.
Don't miss other Cheltenham Festival previews
FAQ about Cheltenham Day 3
1. How can I use Cheltenham Day 3 previews to improve my chances of winning bets?
Picking a winning bet involves a lot of things; skill, a bit of luck but also research. Using previews can help you secure the best free bets out there on the market, ensuring you have more in your betting bank heading into the racing on day three. Not just that, you can notice trends in previous winners and recognise a stable's first choice jockey, giving an indication who the yard prefer if a trainer runs more than one horse.
2. What factors should I consider when choosing which horses to bet on for Day 3 races?
There are several key components to consider when making a selection at Cheltenham. Most importantly though is the horse's form and how they've been faring. Top Jockeys and trainers will also have a huge bearing in any race and Cheltenham odds so keep an eye on any market movers. As well as that, it's important to consider other horses performances, track conditions, past results and trends in previous winners. Track preference is also key - how do they do running right-hand courses?
3. Are there any special promotions or offers from bookmakers for Day 3 races?
Yes, you can find special Cheltenham betting offers and free bets. For events like Cheltenham there will always be a battle for your custom, so make sure you shop around. Most bookies will have some form of price boost on the big race for the day and even sometimes for most races, particularly containing a big name. These could also take the form of daily doubles or accumulators, where two or more strong favourites for the day are put together in a multiple at bigger odds. There will be an abundance of free bets handed out over the course of the four days too - for runners that fall, lose but finish in the places or when you bet on a certain race - so keep an eye out for those.
Remember to gamble responsibly
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- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare –
- Gamble Aware –
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
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