Cheltenham 2026
St. Patrick’s Thursday Free Bets
Thursday at the Festival is all about championship endurance and the Ryanair speed test. Secure the best value for Day 3 with our verified sign-up offers and expert race-by-race betting hub.
★★★★★
- £20 Sports + £20 Acca Tokens
- Extra Places on the 4:40 PM
- BOG from 8am daily
★★★★★
- 4 x £10 Free Bets
- Includes £20 Bet Builders
- Watch HD Streams of Day 3
★★★★☆
- 3 x £10 Free Bets
- Daily Epic Odds Boosts
- NRNB – Stake back guarantee
★★★★☆
- 3 x £10 Free Bets
- Weekly Acca Club Boosts
- Fast Withdrawals for winners
★★★★☆
- 2 x £10 + £10 BB
- Daily Racing Specials
- Live Track Stats & Trends
★★★☆☆
- Welcome Bonus (Code: SPORT)
- Excellent Market Depth
- Exclusive Reload Bonuses
Day 3 Betting Masterclass: Maximising St. Patrick’s Thursday Offers
Thursday, March 12th, 2026, is Day 3 at the Festival. The card features two massive Grade 1 championship races: the Ryanair Chase and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.
1. The Morning Qualifier
Use your qualifying bet on the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (1:20 PM). Placing your £10 stake here on a horse like Oldschool Outlaw will typically unlock your free bet tokens in time for the afternoon’s feature races.
2. Strategic Bonus Deployment
- The “Banker” Double: Use your Betfred Acca tokens to combine Day 3 favorites. A double featuring Fact To File (4:00 PM) and Wodhooh (2:40 PM) is a strong way to utilise bonus funds on the day’s heavy hitters.
- Handicap Value: The Pertemps Network Final (4:40 PM) is the day’s toughest puzzle. Deploy your William Hill or BetUK tokens here to take advantage of extra places—bookies often pay down to 6th or 7th in this massive field.
- Stayers’ Specials: The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (3:20 PM) often sees price boosts. Look for “Enhanced Odds” on Teahupoo, who looks to defend his crown against a strong field including Honesty Policy.
3. Expert Race Insights
For the opener, Oldschool Outlaw is tipped to take revenge on Bambino Fever. In the Ryanair Chase (4:00 PM), Fact To File looks a class apart, while Teahupoo is the established elite in the staying division and is a confident selection for many.
Day 3 Race Card & Expert Picks
Essential Day 3 FAQ
What is the best offer for Cheltenham Day 3?
The Betfred £40 offer is excellent for St. Patrick’s Thursday, allowing you to use acca tokens on the day’s strong favorites and sports tokens on the big handicaps.
Can I use free bets on the Stayers’ Hurdle?
Yes, all featured bookmakers allow you to use your welcome tokens on the 3:20 PM feature race, where Teahupoo is the current market leader.
What is St. Patrick’s Thursday at Cheltenham?
Day 3 is traditionally celebrated as St. Patrick’s Thursday, known for a festive atmosphere and a strong presence of Irish horses and fans.
Who is the favorite for the Ryanair Chase?
Fact To File, trained by Willie Mullins, is the heavy favorite for the 4:00 PM feature race after a dominant novice campaign last year.
What is the feature race on Day 3?
Day 3 features two championship races: the Ryanair Chase at 4:00 PM and the Stayers’ Hurdle at 3:20 PM.
How can I watch Day 3 live?
Races 1-5 are broadcast live on ITV1. You can also stream every race via bookmaker apps such as BetMGM or Sky Bet if you meet the qualifying criteria.
What happens if my horse is a non-runner?
If you back a horse and it is withdrawn, bookmakers offering NRNB (Non-Runner No Bet) will refund your stake in cash.
