Cheltenham Festival 2026 – Day 3 Betting & Odds

St Patrick’s Thursday Betting at Ladbrokes

Cheltenham Festival 2026 Day 3, St Patrick’s Thursday, delivers a powerhouse card featuring three Grade 1 elite races, high-value handicaps and stayers’ contest action. With a mix of speed, stamina and tactical tests, punishment and payoff go hand-in-hand, making the third day of the Festival a prime target for serious punters.

For Cheltenham Festival Thursday betting odds, Ladbrokes offers full market coverage across all races, including ante-post prices, enhanced place specials, Non-Runner No Bet options and accumulator builders.

St Patrick’s Thursday takes place on Thursday 12 March 2026, with racing from around 13:20 to 17:20.

Cheltenham Day 3 Race Schedule & Betting Guide

13:20 – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2, 2 m 1 f)

A test for promising mares transitioning into competitive hurdles, early insight into rising stars.

14:00 – Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase (Handicap, 2 m 4 f)

A big-field handicap chase for novice chasers where pace, jumping and stamina collide, perfect for each-way strategies.

14:40 – Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 2 m 4 f)

A Class 1 contest for the best mares over intermediate trip, stamina and sharp hurdling combine.

15:20 – Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 3 m)

The feature staying hurdle of the week, where stamina and tactical pace shape strong betting markets.

16:00 – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1, 2 m 4 f)

One of the most anticipated races of the Festival, the Ryanair Chase is a true test for top-class chasers over intermediate fences.

16:40 – Pertemps Network Final (Premier Handicap, 3 m)

A tough long-distance handicap hurdle that attracts big fields and keen punting interest.

17:20 – Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Handicap, 3 m 2 f)

The closing race is a marathon handicap chase for amateur riders and seasoned stayers, a classic for accumulator finishers.

How to Bet on Cheltenham Thursday with Ladbrokes

Bet all seven St Patrick’s Thursday races with Ladbrokes and enjoy a full suite of markets:

Win & Each-Way Bets
Ante-Post Betting Options
Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB)
Enhanced Place Promotions
Forecast & Tricast
Accumulator Builder Tools

Ladbrokes online and mobile platforms provide live odds updates, instant bet placement and convenient tracking throughout the day’s racing.

Cheltenham Day 3 Offers & Specials

Look out for a range of Festival promotions on St Patrick’s Thursday:

Price Boosts on Key Grade 1s
Handicap Extra Place Promotions
Money-Back Specials & Acca Insurance

Check the Ladbrokes website or app on race day for the latest enhanced odds and promotional bets.

Cheltenham Day 3 FAQs

When is St Patrick’s Thursday at Cheltenham 2026? - St Patrick’s Thursday is on Thursday 12 March 2026.
What are the feature races on Day 3? - Stand-out contests include the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase, both Grade 1 middle-distance tests.
How many races are on Thursday? - There are seven races, starting at approximately 13:20 and finishing around 17:20.
Can I bet on all Day 3 races online? - Yes, Ladbrokes offers markets for every race via desktop and mobile.
What is NRNB? - Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) means your stake is refunded if your selection does not run — ideal for ante-post staking.

Explore More Cheltenham Betting

Stay across the full Festival with dedicated Ladbrokes pages for:

Responsible Gambling

Ladbrokes supports responsible betting, set limits, stay in control and enjoy St Patrick’s Thursday responsibly.

Back every race on Cheltenham Festival 2026 Day 3 (St Patrick’s Thursday) with Ladbrokes — with sharp odds, deep markets and race specials across the full card.