Cheltenham Thursday Tips: RoadCheltenham's Through The Card Tips On Day Three

There are a few odds on shots on Thursday afternoon, with accumulators resting on the likes of Wodhooh and Fact To File but there’s still plenty of value to be had on Day 3 at the Cheltenham Festival. Here, I cast my eye over all seven races on the card and provide my Cheltenham Tips…

13:20 - Mares' Novices' Hurdle

I’m expecting BAMBINO FEVER to reverse Naas form with Oldschool Outlaw and she is regarded by many as one of the Closutton bankers of the week. She won the Champion Bumper here 12 months ago and is clearly a very talented mare.

The nicer ground will play into her hands and Paul Townend will likely keep things simple enough on her. She will be up there with the pace and she may just prove too good for her rivals when push comes to show. She’s my main fancy on the day.

14:00 - Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase

The nicer ground can bring out the best in KISS WILL and he looks relatively well treated off a BHA mark of 141. JJ Slevin is an interesting jockey booking and I can see him going well if he gets a clear run round – only time will tell if he’s good enough to win.

There are several well-handicapped types in this race but we’re yet to see Kiss Will spark into life over fences and a big field handicap may help him do that. Willie Mullins is yet to win a handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival but perhaps 2026 will be his year.

14:40 - Mares' Hurdle

With Lossiemouth heading to the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, this looks like a penalty kick for WODHOOH and it would be a big shock if the Gordon Elliott runner fall short in this race – particularly with her trainer putting her up as his NAP of the week.

She’s an incredibly consistent mare, winning nine of her 10 races over hurdles and you’d love to own a horse with her attitude. She is 2-2 at Cheltenham and both victories came on the New Course. She’s rock solid and will take the world of beating.

SELECTION: No Bet

15:20 - Stayers' Hurdle

The roof would come off if BOB OLINGER is able to retain his Stayers Hurdle title and I’d give him every chance of going close in the race. He was eye-catching on his return to the track in December and the ground conditions look likely to suit.

Rachael Blackmore gave him a peach of a ride in last year’s race and Darragh O’Keeffe will need to be every bit as brilliant but he’s certainly up to the task. I’m probably talking a little with the heart here but I can genuinely see him going close once again.

16:00 - Ryanair Chase

I’ve been sweet on HEART WOOD’s chances in the Ryanair Chase since the beginning of the season and I give him a great chance of running into the places. Fact To File will be a tough nut to crack but Henry de Bromhead’s runner can be ‘best of the rest’.

It’s a much hotter race than initially expected, with the likes of Banbridge, Impaire Et Passe and Jonbon lining up but Heart Wood has had a good preparation and I’m excited to see how he gets on. He should be bang there and is a great each way play.

16:40 - Pertemps Final

While he clearly has a preference for softer conditions underfoot, there is no doubting that STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT is the class angle in this year’s Pertemps Final and he can be competitive off a BHA mark of 152 – especially with Jack Kennedy taking the ride.

Carl Millar has been in the plate for the majority of his races this season but Kennedy was on board when winning a Grade 2 at Navan last month. It doesn’t look the strongest renewal and 16/1 looks a big price for a reliable horse that ticks plenty of boxes.

17:20 - Kim Muir

The Gordon Elliott yard have been talking up PRENDS GARDE A TOI in the build-up to this year’s Festival and it sounds like they’re expecting a big run in the Kim Muir. In fact, Busty Amond put him up as his NAP of the meeting at a recent Festival preview night.

He ran a massive race in the Irish Grand National Trial at Punchestown in February and the better ground will be of no inconvenience to him – he’s versatile in that regard and Barry O’Neill is a classy operator in the saddle.