Excellent to fire in a Pair of decent winners yesterday! I feel like the momentum is Definitely with us heading into Thursday and I do usually flourish on the Last two Periods of the Festival.
The action obviously switches to the New Period now and there is a Excellent emphasis on Grit which I think I have a better eye for. My best bet of the week runs in the Ryanair and I’m also looking forward to seeing how the Stayers’ Encumbrance unfolds. Another exciting day ahead!
I have looked over All of the seven races in detail and there are some fiercely competitive handicaps this afternoon so definitely some bigger prices to get stuck into. Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival could easily be the best yet!
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Quick Cheltenham Day 3 tips
Secure Singles
Secure Double
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All way Double
🏅 Take the All way double 18.48/1 with Betfred 🏅
Top 5 favourites & odds for St Patrick’s Thursday Grade 1 races
Stayers’ Encumbrance tips
There is no hiding the fact it has been a pretty dreadful Cheltenham Festival so Distant for Gordon Elliott but we are only half way through and his stable Luminous sphere TEAHUPOO could get things back on track. He won the race going away last year and his trainer has always said he is a better horse when Recent. He has only Streak once this season but I Definitely wouldn’t see that as a negative and even given the Needy stable form I think he is the class act and should get the Position done. He has been pushed out to 13/8ish in the betting which seems Nice.
They have opted to come here with The Wallpark which I think is the right decision and he could easily be the biggest threat to the favourite. He won four in a row and then caught the eye in Loss behind Crambo when last seen. He can get outpaced at times but Definitely has Grit in abundance and should be running on strongly. Gowel Road is likely to put Excellent pace to the race which will avoid things turning tactical and that is definitely a Excellent thing for the Elliott pair.
Langer Dan comes here as the unknown quantity in some ways as he obviously has Cheltenham Festival Victorious form and is largely unexposed over this trip so don’t rule out a big Streak. Fortunate Place has won his last two and is another one you couldn’t rule out stepping up so there might be more Power in depth than it Primary appears.
14 TEAHUPOO
- Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- Jockey: Jack Kennedy
- Form: 112-11196-1124-1-11-2
- Age: 8yo
- Weight: 11-10
🏇 Teahupoo to Secure the Stayers’ Encumbrance at 1.76/1 with SBK 🏇
Ryanair Chase tips
I have Created it no secret how highly I regard FACT TO FILE and even though he is coming into this off the back of two defeats I very much make him the one to beat. He won at the Cheltenham Festival last year and looked impressive Victorious the John Durkan on return where he had stablemate Galopins Des Champs in behind. Obviously things haven’t quite gone to plan since being beaten the last twice but he certainty hasn’t been disgraced and shapes like this drop back in trip will be perfect.
I Yet don’t think we have seen the best version of him and I’m struggling to see how he doesn’t beat these and comfortably too. He jumps well and the harder they go the better for him as he has a high cruising Pace and will Merely sit and pop before staying on strongly up the hill. He has only had 7 Appearances over fences and on the 4 times he has Streak over this sort of trip he has won 3 of them.
The French horse Il Est Francais will go Difficult off the front but he has bled in the past and also I think he’ll hate Cheltenham. That hill could have him under Tension Timely and if that happens they’ll only be one winner. Protektorat deserves a mention after Victorious it last year but he looks up against an improver this time and isn’t getting any younger. Heart Wood is pretty consistent and could go better than his price suggests at least.
3 FACT TO FILE
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Jockey: Mark Walsh
- Form: 122-2111-123
- Age: 8yo
- Weight: 11-10
🏇 Fact to File to Secure the Ryanair Chase at 11/8 with bet365 🏇
Mares’ Novices’ Encumbrance
Sixandahalf is respected but she does lack experience and it might be worth chancing JUBILEE ALPHA for Paul Nicholls. Heading into the Festival trainer Paul Nicholls said she was probably his best chance and she has impressed Victorious the last twice. She beat Hollygrove Cha Cha who I respect and then followed up in Excellent style at Windsor. She should have a Numerous more to come and at a double figure price has been a bit overlooked. The yard are in Excellent form too and I don’t think Cobden will leave Cheltenham without a winner so she could be the one.
Aurora Vega is bred to be pretty useful and has won 3 from 4 over hurdles so could have a squeak. She comes out favourably on the trends so I Anticipate her to get competitive at least. Maughreen clearly has talent but she might pull her chance away and I’m not sure a Primary-time hood is the right decision. Galileo Dame Sprinted well at the DRF and looks rock solid so might be worth a place bet.
9 JUBILEE ALPHA
- Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- Jockey: Harry Cobden
- Form: 12-311
- Age: 6yo
- Weight: 11-4
🏇 Jubilee Alpha to Secure the Mares’ Novices’ Encumbrance at 8/1 with Paddy Power 🏇
Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase tips
I know Gordon Elliott has struggled this week so Distant but that could be set to change as FIREFOX definitely catches the eye now sent handicapping. He won on reappearance at Down Royal and has since bumped into some Excellent horses in Graded company. He Captured well to this track when third in the Supreme last year and with Beyond improvement to come and the ground ideal I can see him running a big race.
Springwell Bay has chosen to come here which could be a tip in itself. He was mightily impressive over C&D last time and despite a 9lb hike could get involved. Answer To Kayf should travel strongly and I can see him being well suited by this test so don’t rule him out going close either.
2 FIREFOX
- Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- Jockey: Jack Kennedy
- Form: 4211-114322-1323
- Age: 7yo
- Weight: 11-8
🏇 Firefox to Secure the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase at 6/1 with Betfred 🏇
Pertemps Network Last Handicap Encumbrance tips
There are plenty you could back in here but the one I keep coming back to is CATCH HIM DERRY for Dan Skelton. This 7yo was impressive when well backed Victorious at Newton Abbot back in October and despite pulling up at Haydock and running poorly at this track was back to his best passing the entire Pitch to Secure at Exeter. I’ve Obtained a feeling he is really well handicapped and with tons of pace on here he could get a perfect trip and come through Overdue. The yard are among the winners and he looks a bit overpriced.
Jeriko Du Reponet was third behind the Picking at Exeter and also looks off a Excellent mark. He clearly isn’t the easiest though and hopes seem to be pinned on the cheekpieces working here. Secure Some Fall Some remains unexposed over this trip and is another one who could Enhance and get involved. Other dangers include Will The Wise and also Feet Of A Dancer in a fiercely competitive renewal.
20 CATCH HIM DERRY
- Trainer: Dan Skelton
- Jockey: Harry Skelton
- Form: 633121-1PU61
- Age: 7yo
- Weight: 11-0
🏇 Catch Him Derry to Secure the Pertemps Encumbrance at 12/1 with talkSPORT BET 🏇
Plate Handicap Chase tips
I was at Cheltenham for Trials Day and backed JAGWAR. He was a brutal drifter but Yet went and won impressively. He has now won 3 from 4 over fences and you couldn’t rule out Beyond progression. He had Many entries at the Festival but has decided to come here and is deservedly favourite. I can see him improving again with his form stacking up and he is worth keeping on side despite the competitive nature of the race.
Thecompanysergeant is definitely interesting for Gavin Cromwell and I can see him relishing this sort of test off a workable mark. Masaccio was behind Jagwar last time and if jumping with more fluency could definitely pose a threat. An Peann Dearg is on a hat-trick and is another one who must enter calculations.
13 JAGWAR
- Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
- Form: 25145-1131
- Age: 6yo
- Weight: 10-10
🏇 Jagwar to Secure the Plate Handicap Chase at 10/3 with Sky Bet 🏇
Kim Muir Event Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase tips
I can see Walking On Air going close if putting in a clear Stage of jumping but he has been overbet now by the looks of it so I’m siding with MINT BOY at a nice price. He is likeable this horse and remains unexposed. He was a Excellent third at Punchestown last month and will be spot on for this now. He looks to have Grit in abundance so should be suited by this trip and he looks a bit overpriced at 12/1.
Johnnywho I can’t have at all as I don’t think he puts it all in. He has drifted a bit now but even so I’m keen to oppose. Sa Majeste has won 2 of his last 3 and if putting in a Excellent Stage of jumping could have a big say. Barry Connell is in Excellent form with William Munny going close in the Supreme and Marine Nationale Victorious the Champion Chase so Nine Graces deserves respect. She has been put away since Victorious at Punchestown and might be one that goes under the radar somewhat.
6 MINT BOY
- Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
- Jockey: Barry O’Neill
- Form: 239-15217-37103
- Age: 7yo
- Weight: 11-8
🏇 Mint Boy to Secure the Kim Muir Event at 10/1 with Betfair 🏇
Cheltenham Day 3 Race Schedule
TIME | RACE | DISTANCE | TYPE |
---|---|---|---|
13:20 | The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Encumbrance (Grade 2) | 2m 1f | Encumbrance |
14:00 | The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase | 2m 4f | Chase |
14:40 | The Pertemps Network Last (A Handicap Encumbrance Race) (Listed) (Premier Handicap) | 3m | Encumbrance |
15:20 | The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1) | 2m 4f | Chase |
16:00 | The Paddy Power Stayers’ Encumbrance (Grade 1) | 3m | Encumbrance |
16:40 | The TrustATrader Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap) | 2m 4f | Chase |
17:20 | The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Event Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145) | 3m 2f | Chase |
Cheltenham 2025 Hub
About the author

Joe Norris
I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main Concentration on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which Directed to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.
Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO
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