(2.5 minutes read)
Welcome to Day 3 of Cheltenham Festival 2023!
It may not be St Patrick’s Day yet but for Cheltenham it is St Patrick’s Thursday!
Today’s feature races are The Stayers Hurdle where a fantastic betting heat involving the likes of Blazing Khal, Teahupoo, Home By The Lee and reigning champion Flooring Porter are set to do battle. And don’t rule out Paisley Park!
The mighty Shishkin dominates The Ryanair Chase where in a lot of people’s minds, he represents the Cheltenham banker of the week!
We preview the ITV races and check out best Cheltenham bets and best Cheltenham odds through our partner firms, Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
GETTING THERE AND OTHER DETAILS
BY TRAIN AND BUS
If you’re coming in by train from Birmingham New Street, a queuing system will be in operation so as to stop dangerous congestion on the platforms due to the sheer volume of racegoers heading to The Festival. Allow plenty of time.
Shuttle buses at Cheltenham Spa will be available on the station forecourt.
WARNING: There will be some disruption today due to scheduled train strikes. Please find alternative forms of transport if applicable.
WEATHER AND GOING
Official going will be Soft (Soft in places), and weather is set to be chilly with a light breeze. Wrap up warm!
TICKETS & GETTING IN
Tickets are now sold out entirely for Day 4 but there are tickets available in Club, Tattersalls and Best Mate at time of writing for Day 3.
Gates open at 1030am with first race at 1330.
ITV LIVE RACING
ITV 1 will be covering the first five races.
1:30
Turners Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m4f ITV
9 runners
2:10 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 3m ITV
24 runners
2:50 Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m4½f ITV
9 runners
3:30 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m ITV
11 runners
4:10 The Magners Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m4½f ITV
24 runners.
Races Preview
1330 The Turners Novices' Chase
Widely considered to be a banker race in the shape of Mighty Potter trained by Gordon Elliott but there are dangers aplenty from improving chasers like Banbridge and Appreciate It. Balco Coastal could also get in the mix.
SELECTION: Banbridge 4/1 best odds with Bet365 and William Hill.
2:10 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
Big field handicap for staying hurdlers and expected to be a ferocious betting heat with plenty vying for favouritism. We think that Good Time Jonny is well handicapped and could run a big race as featured in our best bets preview.
SELECTION: Good Time Jonny 10/1 best odds with Bet365.
2:50 The Ryanair Chase
The whole complexion of this race changed when two things happened. Firstly, last year’s champion and strongly fancied race favourite Allaho dropped out whilst a horse called Shishkin decided to run a cracker at Ascot recently.
Seven Barrows now believe the Ryanair distance is the optimum one for Shishkin despite Matt Chapman’s protestations. Featured in our bankers preview, Shishkin should take all the beating here. Dangers could come from Blue Lord and Janidil.
SELECTION: Shishkin best odds 5/6 with Bet365, William Hill and Bet Victor.
3:30 The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
Another fascinating renewal of the stayers hurdle championship. The lightly raced Blazing Khal leads the market and will run a big race if he can reproduce his Cheltenham form from two years ago. 
Teahupoo in with a chance if he can stay, Home By The Lee is an improving new kid on the block and could be a revelation at this trip whilst Flooring Porter has had an indifferent season but always comes alive for this race.
Flooring Porter is aiming for the hat trick but if these are all off the bridle after the last and Paisley Park is in touch, the Emma Lavelle trained legend could bring the house down.
SELECTION: Blazing Khal best odds 3/1 Bet365, William Hill.
4:10 The Magners Plate Handicap Chase
Another enticing betting heat as The Plate handicap rounds off St Patrick’s Thursday. Race favourite So Scottish has been consistent all season for trainer Emmet Mullins but we fancy the look of the Henry de Bromhead trained Champagne Gold who ran a good second in a novice handicap back here last October.
SELECTION: Champagne Gold best odds 22/1 with Befred and Boylesports paying 6 places.
SELECTIONS RECAP
1:30 Turners Novices' Chase
SELECTION: Banbridge 4/1 best odds with Bet365 and William Hill.
2:10 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 3m ITV
SELECTION: Good Time Jonny 10/1 best odds with Bet365.
2:50 Ryanair Chase
SELECTION: Shishkin best odds 5/6 with Bet365, William Hill and Bet Victor.
3:30 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
SELECTION: Blazing Khal best odds 3/1 Bet365, William Hill.
4:10 The Magners Plate Handicap Chase
SELECTION: Champagne Gold best odds 22/1 with Befred and Boylesports paying 6 places
Our Recommended Cheltenham Festival 2023 Betting Offers!
Bet365
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Bet Victor
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MORE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL!
- Cheltenham Festival Betting Offers and Free Bets 2023!
- Champion Hurdle 2023 Betting Preview!
- Champion Chase Cheltenham 2023 Preview!
- Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup 2023!
- How To Bet on the Cheltenham Festival!
- How To Bet on Horse Racing!
- How To Win at Cheltenham Festival!
- Beginners Guide to Cheltenham Festival 2023!
- Cheltenham Festival 2023 Events Page!
- Best Each Way Antepost Bets for Cheltenham Festival 2023!
- Cheltenham 2023 Best Handicap Antepost Bets!
- Cheltenham Festival Bankers 2023!
- 10 Best Bets for Cheltenham Festival 2023!
Have a great Cheltenham Festival 2023 and have fun!
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (5pm 15th March 2023) and are subject to change.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply
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