Cheltenham Festival Day 2 (Wednesday 11 March): Race-by-Race Preview & Tips
By RacingBase | Published 11 March 2026 | 11 min read
All times AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time = GMT+11 in March)
Day 3 of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival — St Patrick’s Thursday — is the most loaded card of the entire week. Seven races, four Grade 1s, and a pair of Premier Handicaps that will test even the most seasoned punter. The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase are the twin showpieces, but the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle and the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle add further Grade 1 quality to a card that is unmatched in jumps racing.
For Australian punters, the action runs from 12:20 AM AEDT Friday through to 4:20 AM AEDT — a full night of world-class racing. Here is your complete race-by-race guide.
12:20 AM AEDT
Named in honour of the legendary mare who won both the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup, the Dawn Run is the Grade 2 championship for novice mares. The 2026 field of 25 is competitive, but a handful of horses stand out as genuine contenders.
Gordon Elliott · Rating 147 · Form: 27-111
Three consecutive wins including a Grade 1 at Leopardstown — the highest-rated horse in the field. Strong stayer who jumps well. The clear selection.
Jamie Snowden · Rating 145, TS 132 · Form: 22-112
Best of the British — consistent all season with two seconds on the bounce. Each-way value at a bigger price.
Willie Mullins · Rating 143 · Form: 25-112
The Mullins representative — placed in Grade 1 company this season and never to be underestimated.
Verdict
Oldschool Outlaw (Gordon Elliott) is the selection — highest rating in the field, excellent form, and the profile of a Festival winner. La Conquiere is the each-way value from the British contingent.
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1:00 AM AEDT
Named after the only horse to win the Gold Cup and Grand National in the same year, the Golden Miller is a Grade 2 novice limited handicap chase and one of the most competitive races of the Festival. With 36 runners, the race is a genuine puzzle.
Fergal O’Brien · Rating 161, TS 147 · Form: D19-111
Three consecutive wins — handles soft ground well and has the profile of a Festival winner. The selection.
Henry De Bromhead · Rating 163, TS 142 · Form: 14-221
Heads the ratings — two seconds in Grade 1 company this season. Each-way value at a bigger price.
Gordon Elliott · Rating 160, TS 155 · Form: F51254
Highest topspeed figure in the field at 155 — suggests more ability than his form figures indicate.
Verdict
Sixmilebridge (Fergal O’Brien) is the selection — three consecutive wins and a horse who handles these conditions well. Koktail Divin is the each-way alternative for those who want a bigger price.
1:40 AM AEDT
The Mares’ Hurdle is one of the most fascinating races of the Festival in 2026. The market has been blown wide open by a significant absentee — Lossiemouth, the reigning champion, has been redirected to the Champion Hurdle to take on the geldings, leaving this race without a clear-cut favourite.
| Horse | Trainer | Rating | TS | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighterdaysahead ★ | Gordon Elliott | 171 | 164 | 14-321 |
| Golden Ace | Jeremy Scott | 163 | 148 | 1-2212 |
| Jade De Grugy | W P Mullins | 162 | 109 | 2-1321 |
| Kargese | W P Mullins | 161 | 146 | 1-3212 |
| Wodhooh | Gordon Elliott | 160 | 132 | 112-11 |
| Jetara | Mrs John Harrington | 156 | 137 | 3-3373 |
| Take No Chances | Dan Skelton | 153 | 136 | 5-6233 |
Source: Racing MCP, racecards data, March 2026
Verdict
With Lossiemouth absent, Brighterdaysahead is the clear selection — defending champion, highest-rated horse in the field, and specifically prepared for this race. Golden Ace is the each-way value — the most consistent mare in training this season, capable of outrunning her price.
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2:20 AM AEDT
The championship race for the three-mile hurdling division, headlined by the defending champion Teahupoo. The key question is whether the opposition has improved enough to challenge him.
| Horse | Trainer | Rating | TS | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teahupoo ★ | Gordon Elliott | 172 | 146 | 22-111 |
| Bob Olinger | Henry De Bromhead | 170 | 140 | /221-2 |
| Ballyburn | W P Mullins | 168 | 134 | 15-223 |
| Home By The Lee | Joseph Patrick O’Brien | 166 | 133 | UP-641 |
| Impose Toi | Nicky Henderson | 163 | 148 | -21112 |
| Hewick | John Joseph Hanlon | 162 | 138 | 8-7145 |
| Honesty Policy | Gordon Elliott | 159 | 147 | 111-23 |
| Kabral Du Mathan | Dan Skelton | 159 | 128 | 222-11 |
Source: Racing MCP, racecards data, March 2026
Verdict
Teahupoo is the clear selection — defending champion, excellent form, and the profile of a multiple winner. The Cheltenham hill suits him perfectly. Bob Olinger is the danger. Impose Toi is the each-way value from the British contingent.
3:00 AM AEDT
Often described as the most competitive Grade 1 of the entire Festival. The 2026 field is extraordinary in depth — six horses rated 177 or above. A race that rewards the versatile, high-class chaser who is too good for two miles but not quite a Gold Cup stayer.
| Horse | Trainer | Rating | TS | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fact To File ★ | W P Mullins | 181 | 171 | 1-4261 |
| Il Etait Temps | W P Mullins | 180 | 166 | 11-11F |
| Banbridge | Joseph Patrick O’Brien | 178 | 164 | 17-442 |
| Gaelic Warrior | W P Mullins | 178 | 167 | 11-132 |
| Jango Baie | Nicky Henderson | 177 | 164 | 213-14 |
| Jonbon | Nicky Henderson | 177 | 165 | 2-2211 |
| Protektorat | Dan Skelton | 172 | 172 | 42-311 |
| Found A Fifty | Gordon Elliott | 171 | 159 | 411434 |
Source: Racing MCP, racecards data, March 2026
Verdict
This is the race of the Festival. Fact To File gets the nod — superior rating and proven ability at Cheltenham. But Protektorat (Dan Skelton) is the most intriguing runner: his topspeed figure of 172 is the highest of any horse in the field, and Skelton’s record at Cheltenham is exceptional. At a bigger price, he is the each-way bet of the day.
3:40 AM AEDT
One of the great betting races of the Festival — a three-mile handicap hurdle with 33 runners, run at a ferocious pace. The race has a history of producing big-priced winners, and the 2026 renewal looks no different.
Paul Nicholls · Rating 160, TS 132 · Form: -11111
Five consecutive wins — in the form of his life. Nicholls has a strong record in Festival handicaps. The selection.
Sam Thomas · Rating 161 · Form: 711-11
Two wins on the bounce and heads the ratings — the saver at a bigger price.
Philip Hobbs & Johnson White · Rating 162, TS 139 · Form: 12-411
Placed in Grade 1 company this season — could run a big race at a price.
Verdict
A race for each-way punters. Absolutely Doyen (Paul Nicholls) is the selection on the strength of his five-race winning run. C’Est Different is the saver at a bigger price.
4:20 AM AEDT
The traditional closing race of St Patrick’s Thursday — a marathon handicap chase for amateur riders over three miles and six furlongs. The amateur jockey element adds an extra layer of unpredictability to an already demanding race.
David Pipe · Rating 154, TS 144 · Form: /30-82
Specifically prepared for this race — has the profile of a Festival winner at a big price.
Gordon Elliott · Rating 153 · Form: 6-3143
Consistent performer placed in this race before — Elliott knows how to target a Festival handicap.
Nicky Henderson · Rating 154, TS 127 · Form: 2P-974
The Henderson representative — capable of a big run at a price.
Verdict
Approach with caution. Gericault Roque (David Pipe) is the selection — specifically prepared for this race and with the profile of a Festival winner at a big price.
Day 3 Summary: The Full Bet Card
| Race | Time (AEDT) | Selection | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle | 12:20 AM | Oldschool Outlaw | Win |
| Golden Miller Novices’ Chase | 1:00 AM | Sixmilebridge | Win |
| Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle ⭐ | 1:40 AM | Brighterdaysahead | Win |
| Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle ⭐ | 2:20 AM | Teahupoo | Win |
| Ryanair Chase ⭐ | 3:00 AM | Fact To File | Win |
| Pertemps Network Final | 3:40 AM | Absolutely Doyen | Each-Way |
| Kim Muir Handicap Chase | 4:20 AM | Gericault Roque | Each-Way |
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places (New Course) | All races at Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire
