Cheltenham Festival 2024: Day Three Betting Tips

Day Three Races – St Patrick’s Day (Thursday 16th March)

Marsh Novices’ Chase

After winning the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown in February, Mighty Potter has been installed as the favourite to win the 2023 Turners Novices’ Chase. Trained by Gordon Elliott, he’s won his last four races, all at a similar distance to the Turners Novices’ Chase, 2m 4f. However, Mighty Potter shouldn’t expect an easy race.

One of his competitors, Banbridge, won the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. The seven-year-old is trained by Joseph Patrick O’Brien, son of legendary trainer Aidan O’Brien. If he has worked on his jumping, he stands a chance to win the Turners Novices’ Chase.

El Fabiolo is our value pick in this race. The six-year-old is trained by Willie Mullins and has consistently shown class over 2m, especially during his recent win at Leopardstown. The extra distance in the Turners Novices’ Chase may prove too much, so an each way bet is advisable.

Another Turners Novices’ Chase betting tip is the Paul Nicholls trained Stage Star. The seven-year-old jumps smoothly and won the 2m 4f Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase in Cheltenham earlier this year.

SBO Prediction: Mighty Potter to win (5/4 at 888sport)

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

The Pertemps Network Final is a three mile handicap which has proven to be a terrific starting point for future Cheltenham Festival stars. The early frontrunner in this year’s race is Shoot First. Trained by Charles Byrnes, he won the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle in style back in October.

A mention must go out to Maxxum, who stands a good chance of winning the Pertemps Network Final. He won the qualifier for this race back in December in Leopardstown. And when Jack Kennedy is in the saddle, the two have an affinity in jumping and finishing the race well.

Walking On Air showed great promise at the Exeter meet, back in February winning by two lengths. However, the Nicky Henderson trained six-year-old, ridden by Nico de Boinville, is more suited to shorter distances, so an each way bet is worth a punt.

The Bosses Oscar is also worth consideration. He’s a good jumper and finisher, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see him place.

SBO Prediction: Maxxum to win (7/1 at BetUK)

Ryanair Chase

The feature race of the day, The Ryanair Chase, is a Grade 1 contest run over 2m 5f. The obvious Ryanair Chase betting tip was Allaho, a horse that has won this race over the past two years. However, on 13 February, Allaho was ruled out of the Ryanair Chase because of abdominal bleeding.

According to the latest Ryanair Chase odds, Fakir D’oudairies, trained by Joseph Patrick O’Brien, is favourite to win this year’s race. The eight-year-old seized the opportunity winning at Thurles this year. However, Fakir D’oudairies struggled for pace on the last four fences, which means other horses are in contention for the Ryanair Chase.

One of the competitors for the trophy is the Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin. If the nine-year-old jumps well and finishes strong like he did to defeat Energumene, Shiskin stands a good chance of winning the Ryanair Chase.

For those looking for better value, Envoi Allen deserves a mention. Trained by Henry de Bromhead, Envoi Allen finished strongly to win the 3m Ladbrokes Champion Chase.

SBO Prediction: Shishkin to win (7/2 at BetUK)

Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle winners usually secure a victory in their outing before the event. With so many of the frontrunners struggling in the build-up, this Grade 1 race is going to be absolutely fascinating.

Many horse racing betting tipsters are backing Blazing Khal to win the Stayers’ Hurdle. Trained by Charles Byrnes and ridden by his son Patrick, the seven-year-old has won its last five races, including the Grade 2 William Hill Boyne Hurdle in February.

Teahupoo, a six year old trained by Gordon Elliot, looks set to rival Blazing Khal. In his last race, the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park, he travelled well and left the others with two fences to go, winning by more than 10 lengths.

An outside chance is Dashel Drasher, a ten-year-old trained by Jeremy Scott and ridden by Rex Dingle. Last year he placed second in two 3m races at Aintree and Cheltenham, so many tipsters are backing him each way.

SBO Prediction: Blazing Khal to win (5/2 at 888sport)

Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase

The Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase is a 2m 5f race seen as a springboard for future success. Trainer David Pipe has had the most success in this race, winning every year between 2007 and 2014.

So Scottish is the early frontrunner in the Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase betting odds because of his form at similar distance races last year. The six-year-old, trained by Emmet Mullins, won two 2m 4f races at Carlisle and Tipperary, so a Cheltenham victory could very well be on the cards.

We believe Stage Star, trained by Paul Nicholls, could give So Scottish a run for his money. The seven-year-old is perfect for the distance, after winning the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase earlier this year.

It must be noted that with David Pipes’ record in this race, a punt on one of his horses is worth a shout.  Last year, Panic Attack won the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. However, she will have to improve her jumping and finish strong to finish ahead of So Scottish and Stage Star.

SBO Prediction: Stage Star to win (9/1 at 888sport)

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

One of the most competitive races on St Patrick’s Day, The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 2 race. A maximum of 42 horses compete over a distance of 2m 1f.

Nicky Henderson’s Luccia is favourite based on the latest Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle odds. The mare was triumphant in February at the Extra Places Novices’ Hurdle, leading from start to finish.

But a Willie Mullins-trained horse may rain on Luccia’s parade. And who would bet against him, with his record at this race? At the Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle, Ashroe Diamond put in a stellar performance to lead the race from the start, but at times she did jump slightly left.

Another horse that will provide more value and stands an outside chance of winning is Magical Zoe. The Irish mare has won both of her races over the distance of 2m. If she jumps well, she could very well upset the favourites.

SBO Prediction: Ashroe Diamond to win (3/1 at 888sport)

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup, also known as the ‘Kim Muir’, brings day three to a close with a gruelling 3m2f race. This Class 2 race tends to favour horses who hold up well, as amateur jockeys often set off too fast.

Trainer Gordon Elliott has had success at the Kim Muir Challenge Cup in recent years. In Elliott’s stable, Indigo Breeze has shown promise over 3m, previously placing second in the Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

David Pipe has trained several winners of the Kim Muir Challenge Cup. Our first pick for Pipe’s Remastered. He finished strong when winning the Kempton Ladbrokes Handicap Chase.

An exciting horse that represents good value is Royal Thief, trained by Henry de Bromhead and owned by the Gigginstown Stud. In his last meeting at Punchestown, he won the Amateur National Handicap Chase. The nine-year-old defeated the favourites Fakiera and Notice to Close, so plenty of racing experts expect him to go close in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

SBO Prediction: Remastered to win (10/1 at 888sport)

Day Three Betting Tips Summary

Note – all odds correct at time of publishing but are subject to change. Please join one of our recommended betting sites to view the latest Cheltenham betting odds.