Cheltenham Festival Day 3 - Thursday 12th March 2026
Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival will take place on Thursday 12th March, 2026 and the feature race of the day is the Grade 1 Stayers' Hurdle which is due off at 16:00. Read More
There's alternative Grade 1 action in the Ryanair Chase and we will have all the latest Cheltenham Festival odds for the third day of the meeting here.
You will also be able to check out all our Cheltenham Festival tips from our in-house tipping team and our resident tipster Raceolly for day three's racing here, as well as some of the leading Cheltenham free bets offers for the day's action.
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Cheltenham Festival Thursday Racecards
Here is the race schedule and race times for day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival with easy access into our racecards where you'll find form, ratings and the latest odds.
| Race Time | Race Name |
|---|---|
| 13:20 | Mares' Novices' Hurdle |
| 14:00 | Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase |
| 14:40 | Pertemps Final |
| 15:20 | Ryanair Chase |
| 16:00 | Stayers' Hurdle |
| 16:40 | Plate Handicap Chase |
| 17:20 | Kim Muir Handicap Chase |
About Cheltenham Festival Day 3
Day three of the Cheltenham Festival kicks off at 13:20 with the Mares' Novices' Hurdle, a race which at first was all about Willie Mullins but has in recent years seen differing connections have their day in the sun.
At 14:00, a returning race is back in the Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase, which is a handicap over the intermediate chase exclusive to novice chasers. This race has replaced the intermediate novice Grade 1, which was the Turners before being removed from the schedule.
Third up is the Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle, the finale of a series of staying handicap hurdle races, the three-mile contest is one of the most competitive races at the entire Festival.
The first of two 'Championship' races on the day is the Ryanair Chase, which regularly proves to be one of the most exciting races of the entire week.
The Stayers' Hurdle is the feature race on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival, and the fourth of five 'Championship' races during the week.
Next up is the ultra-competitive Plate, a handicap chase run over slightly further than two and a half miles, while the newest race at the Festival, the Mares Novices' Hurdle is a contest that has been dominated by Willie Mullins since its inception.
The final race on the card on day three is the Kim Muir, a race for amateur riders that is run over a trip of three and a quarter miles.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cheltenham Festival Day 3
When is day three of the Cheltenham Festival?
Day three of the Cheltenham Festival takes place on Thursday 13th March, 2025.
What is the feature race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival?
The feature race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival is the Stayers' Hurdle, which is run at 16:00.
Where can I watch day three of the Cheltenham Festival?
You will be able to watch day three of the Cheltenham Festival on ITV1 and Racing TV.
You can also watch the action on various bookmakers accounts, who have a free live horse racing stream, or if you have placed a bet on the race.