Cheltenham Festival 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Day three latest updates and Templegate’s tips for stacked St Patrick’s Thursday
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL is rolling on at speed as we head into a stunning St Patrick's Thursday!
And it's a big day in store for Sir Alex Ferguson - who has a whopping FOUR horses in the running today including a defending champion.
Sun Racing's renowned tipster Templegate is on hand here all week, and will be bringing you all of the tips for EVERY race.
- Complete TV guide - how to watch every race
- Full race schedule, guide and timings
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Follow ALL of the latest updates from Cheltenham below...
Calm before the storm
There is going to be quite the sprint on when the gates open shortly to get to this place.
St Patrick's Thursday never disappoints. The best of the pictures will follow too.
Mullins chances
Looking through the runners from Willie Mullins' yard and there aren't too many at a shortish price.
One that is is the Ryanair favourite Fact To File and Mullins has asked 'what more can you ask for?' with regards to his chances.
He told : "He’s been in good shape since getting over here. We know he handles the track, will handle the ground and comes here with a favourite’s chance.
"I think Il Est Francis will make it a good strong pace, not that it will matter to our fellow, he can make his own pace if not. He jumps, gallops and finishes his races.
"What more can you ask for?"
Going update
Clerk of the course, Jon Pullin has provided the going for day three.
On the Cheltenham Racecourse X account, he said: “Temperatures got down to just below -2 briefly overnight but they’re climbing this morning.
“It should be around 8° for most of the day.
“The going remains good to soft.”
Under the radar?
Nicky Henderson has had a really difficult couple of days with Constitution Hill and Jonbon both disappointing in the two Champion races.
But he think he has one that comes into the Pertemps (2.40) under the radar.
He told his Unibet blog: "I was very pleased with Doddiethegreat's effort at Haydock last time, on his first start at this trip, and we’re putting cheek pieces on to keep him sharp.
"He’s always been a high-class horse and I think he could be slipping under the radar here. I like him."
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More from Elliott
His runner, Galvin walked onto a horse ambulance after the Cross Country yesterday but Elliott brings some positive news.
He added: “Thank God he’s managed to go home.
“Everything was OK but he’s bandaged with a sore knee so we’ll see how he is when he arrives home this morning.
“The vets allowed him to travel home this morning.”
Ground a worry?
Gordon Elliott reckons the drying ground is the only concern for Teahupoo who arrives in 'good form'.
He told ITV: “He hasn’t been seen for a while but he’s in good form.
“The only worry could be the ground drying out as it is but it is what it is.
“He got me out of trouble last year so hopefully we win the Stayers’ again.
“We just keep hitting the crossbar.”
Ruby's tips
On Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle day, Paddy Power ambassador Ruby Walsh has given his top tips for today's action to Paddy Power.
Including the fact he's NOT Teahupoo's biggest fan.
Start issues
I've made no apology for "flagging up" how inconsistent the starts have been so far.
Amongst those hard done by yesterday were Jonbon and Solness, and then Primoz, who was a big gamble in the Grand Annual yesterday but lost all hope at the start.
Peter Scudamore, partner to Primoz's trainer Lucinda Russell, has taken a pop at the starts and accused the stewards of 'sweeping the dirt under the carpet'.
He posted on social media: "Cheltenham is fantastic but there are problems. The starts are an embarrassment and taking the punters for granted.
"The attitude of the stewards is to sweep the dirt under the carpet and fine the jockey, it is not solving the problem.
"There is no consistency, some times the horses are let go moving forward then another time they are stopped. It is not possible to stop some of these moving horses."
Free bets
We're at the halfway mark now and the bookies are in front.
So why not get some value back from them and stack yourself with free bets for day three!?
Fitness test
Jack Kennedy didn't ride out this morning, according to reports.
That'd be a huge blow for him and Gordon Elliott if he couldn't ride today. He'll need to pass a doctor's test to do so.
He's scheduled to be on red-hot favourite Teahupoo in the Stayers' Hurdle.
What on earth?
By the way, what on earth is happening with the weather?
The snow yesterday provided us with some fabulous shots as the horses stretched their legs early yesterday morning.
Today? Clear blue skies with some more terrific pictures from the course.
Non-runners
A few don't go today including Langer Dan in the Stayers' Hurdle.
Dan Skelton reporting some mucus coming from a dirty nose after a vet's check.
- 16:00: 8 Langer Dan - 10 Monmiral
- 16:40: 19 Lord Of Thunder
- 17:20: 15 Where It All Began
Fergie double
Just touching again on Sir Alex Ferguson, the bookies are actually in fear of a Fergie double landing today.
As we know, Protektorat is around a 6/1 chance this afternoon to give the legendary boss another Cheltenham winner.
But later tonight Manchester United are in Europa League action at home to Real Sociedad.
The only thing more unpredictable than what's happened at Cheltenham this week is what United side turns up. They're the good and the ugly rolled into one.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "It's been a solid start to the week for bookies, but Thursday is all about Fergie Time and a Protektorat/Man United double could well cost us a few quid."
Ladbrokes Latest Betting
- Protektorat to win the Ryanair Chase - 6/1
- Man United to beat Real Sociedad (90 minutes) - 10/11
Weather forecast for Cheltenham today
According to the MetOffice, the meeting is set to be a largely dry affair.
Following snow flurries on Wednesday, light clouds and winds are expected on Thursday and Friday.
Horses make their way in from the snow covered gallops on day two of Cheltenham on Wednesday.
How to watch Cheltenham Festival day 3
ITV will show the first six races of the day on ITV1 on free-to-air television and via its streaming platform ITVX.
For full coverage of all seven races, you need a Racing TV subscription.
Racegoers react watching the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase on day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 12. What to expect at St Patrick’s Thursday at Cheltenham
Here are just some of the races coming up later today:
1.20pm: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
2pm: Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase
2.40pm: Pertemps Network Final (Premier Handicap)
A Guinness fan at Cheltenham in 2014. 
The Guinness village on St Patrick's Thursday at Cheltenham 2014. 
Shakem Up'arry eyeing glory for Redknapp
Harry Redknapp's Cheltenham gets underway today as Shakem Up'arry seeks back-to-back wins in the Plate Handicap Chase.
Shakem Up'arry secured the former Tottenham gaffer his first Cheltenham win last year.
Sir Alex will be hoping he can get one over Redknapp on the turf and not the pitch, as Fergie-owned Il Ridoto aims to decrown the 11-year-old bay gelding.
Credit: Sportsfile Fergie time
Day Three of Cheltenham will see Sir Alex have a whopping FOUR runners, including a defending champion.
Protektorat will be aiming to win the Ryanair Chase (3.20pm) for the second year running.
While, Monmiral will not race in the Pretemps Network Final Handicap, the race he won last year, as he has been entered into the Stayers' Hurdle today instead.
Fergie's other potential runners on Day Three include Caldwell Potter in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (2pm) and Il Ridoto in the Plate Handicap Chase (4.40pm).
Credit: PA Coming up on St Patrick's Thursday at Cheltenham
1.20pm: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
2pm: Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase
2.40pm: Pertemps Network Final (Premier Handicap)
3.20pm: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
4pm: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.40pm: TrustATrader Plate (Premier Handicap)
5.20pm: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Credit: Paul Edwards Templegate’s Tips for Day Three
5.20 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase
MIDNIGHT OUR FRED comes here in fantastic form after an excellent second in red-hot company at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
He saw out an extended three miles there with no problem and is only 4lb higher today.
That built on a 14-length victory at Gowran and he’s run well here a couple of times.
He was second in a marathon handicap last April and keeps things simple on the front end.
Templegate’s Tips for Day Three
4.40 TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase
JAGWAR was impressive when winning here in January and a 7lb rise in the weights won’t be enough to put the brakes on this progressive chaser.
He tanked along over this course and distance before powering away up the hill.
That was his third win from just four runs over fences and he won’t mind if there is some juice in the ground.
Templegate’s Tips for Day Three
4.00 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
NICKY HENDERSON can strike it Lucky in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
LUCKY PLACE is improving with every run and was very impressive when winning the Relkeel Hurdle here last time.
The six-year-old went well on his last visit to Cheltenham and has more to offer.
Templegate’s Tips for Day Three
3.20 Ryanair Chase
JUNGLE BOOGIE can dance off with the Ryanair Chase.
He was running a mighty race in last year’s Gold Cup before running out of petrol and will love this trip.
He can edge out Fact To File and Il Est Francais.
Templegate’s Tips for Day Three
2.40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
FEET OF A DANCER can give trainer Paul Nolan a second Pertemps Final victory in the past five years.
This six-year-old comes here on the back of an excellent third in a big-field qualifier for this race at Christmas.
That was the race his 2021 winner took in on the way to Cheltenham and this six-year-old saw out three miles really well on his first crack at the trip.