Day Three Cheltenham Festival Betting

Cheltenham Festival 2026 St Patrick’s Thursday Betting at Coral

Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival, St Patrick’s Thursday, brings a lively atmosphere and another high-quality racecard to Prestbury Park. The meeting takes place on Thursday 12 March 2026, featuring seven races and two major championship contests: the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase.

For punters planning their Cheltenham Thursday betting, Coral offers competitive odds across every race on the card. From early ante-post markets to race-day specials and enhanced places, you’ll find a full range of betting opportunities throughout the afternoon.

Cheltenham Day 3 Racecard & Betting Guide

13:20 – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2, approx. 2m1f) - Thursday’s opener focuses on the best novice mares in training. This race often introduces rising stars who progress to Grade 1 company in future seasons.
14:00 – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (approx. 2m4f) - A competitive novice handicap chase where lightly raced horses can make a big impression at Festival level.
14:40 – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (approx. 3m) - One of the Festival’s most competitive staying handicaps. Horses qualify for this race through a series of trials during the National Hunt season.
15:20 – Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1, approx. 3m) - The Stayers’ Hurdle is the championship race for long-distance hurdlers and one of the most prestigious staying contests in jump racing.
16:00 – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1, approx. 2m4½f) - The Ryanair Chase is Thursday’s second feature race, showcasing some of the best middle-distance chasers in training. Known for its fast pace and high-quality fields, it’s a major betting highlight of the day.
16:40 – Festival Plate Handicap Chase (approx. 2m4f) - Another fiercely competitive handicap chase that regularly produces dramatic finishes and strong each-way betting opportunities.
17:20 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase, approx. 3m2f) - The final race on Thursday sees amateur riders take centre stage in this staying handicap chase.

How to Bet on Cheltenham Thursday with Coral

Coral provides a wide selection of betting markets for every race on St Patrick’s Thursday, including:

Win and each-way bets
Ante-post betting markets
Non-Runner No Bet options
Forecast and tricast betting
Cheltenham Festival accumulators

You can access the latest odds via the Coral website or mobile app, allowing you to follow market movements and place bets quickly throughout the day.

Cheltenham Thursday Promotions

During the Festival, Coral often runs special offers such as:

Cheltenham price boosts
Extra place races on handicaps
Accumulator specials
Money-back race offers

Check Coral’s Cheltenham promotions page during the Festival to see the latest Cheltenham betting offers.

Cheltenham Day 3 FAQs

When is St Patrick’s Thursday at Cheltenham 2026? - St Patrick’s Thursday takes place on Thursday 12 March 2026, the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.
What are the main races on Thursday? - The two feature races are the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase, both Grade 1 contests.
How many races are on Cheltenham Day 3? = There are seven races, with the first race scheduled for 13:20 and the final race around 17:20.
Can I bet on Cheltenham Thursday races online? - Yes. Coral offers online betting via its website and mobile app with full access to Cheltenham odds and betting markets.
What does Non-Runner No Bet mean? - If your selection does not run in the race, your stake will be refunded.

Explore More Cheltenham Festival Betting

Continue your Cheltenham betting journey with Coral across the full Festival:

Responsible Gambling

Coral promotes responsible gambling and encourages customers to set limits and bet within their means while enjoying the Cheltenham Festival.