Cheltenham Festival 2025 Odds: Tips For Every Race On Day 3

It's on to Day 3 at Cheltenham and we are about to edge past half way for the week with another stellar card including the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase and the feature Grade 1 Stayers' Hurdle as stand outs.

Hopefully, you've managed to pick a few winners on Tuesday and Wednesday, and we are here to provide tips for all seven races on Thursday using the best odds from the best betting sites.

Mares' Novices' Hurdle (13:20)

Selection: Aurora Vega (8/1) - 1pt Each-Way

A belter of a mares' novices' hurdle to kick off day three with and Paul Townend is aboard the royally bred Aurora Vega. 

It’s perhaps a surprise given the presence of the well-touted Maughreen, a half-sister to her stable mate, and Paul will know both well of course.

Aurora Vega, a daughter of the Cheltenham legend Quevega, has been very good in both January runs at Fairyhouse, taking a maiden in workmanlike fashion before improving to score tidily and with loads in hand in a weak enough Grade 3.

It was all a bit of a recovery mission after running like a drain on first run back in October at Wexford. With plenty of experience, Aurora Vega will love the hill and looks overpriced on what we have seen and what is left to surely come.

Sixandahalf is already a winner at Fairyhouse on hurdles debut. However, it is a bit of an unknown for any such test like this, but market confidence has been there and is still there and could be anything. 

At the prices, we are chancing this, as it could be a bit much for them. The presence of Galileo Dame, the only 4-year-old at the foot of the field, might cause more concern.

Jack Richards Novices’ Chase (14:00)

Selection 1: Firefox (15/2) - 0.5pt Each-Way 
Selection 2: Caldwell Potter (16/1) - 0.5pt Each-Way 

Two darts at the novice handicap chase, and we start with the classy Firefox, who takes a drop in grade in terms of opposition and a step back up in terms of distance. novice

Unlucky in last season’s Supreme Novices’ hurdle, not missed by the Cheltenham odds, but can be a little soft in a finish against proper graded runners. 

They have prepped nicely and is a big runner for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy.

The other is Caldwell Potter, a smart horse for Elliott in Ireland, a Grade 1 winner on heavy ground over hurdles. It was then sold to new owners and housed with Paul Nicholls. 

It was good on belated debut for new connections and then ran into Jango Baie and Gidleigh Park in defeat on next two starts.

Caldwell Potter has been labelled a flop for that given the hefty price tag, but arguably is well handicapped to step forward now. 

It might prefer softer ground and any rain on Wednesday into Thursday will help the cause. 

Both selections would most likely have had eyes on tougher races. For now, they are here and especially in the case of the Nicholls’ runner, shouldn’t be written off for better things to come.

Pertemps Final (14:40)

Selection: Guard The Moon (33/1) - 1pt Each-Way

We will take a chance in the Pertemps and hope that the market is wrong about Guard The Moon. 

It was a poor run last time following a break and on soft ground at Chepstow when never travelling at all. 

Prior to that, Guard The Moon was firmly on the upgrade with a run behind Impose Toi at Newbury in November, which was a real stand out effort. 

Harbour Lake and Jeriko Du Reponet are best of the rest, but Guard The Moon has room to improve, especially if jumping better on what is likely to be better ground. 

Hugely overpriced on betting apps in an open race, it would be great to see them go from the front and get a clear look at every flight whilst others bide their time.

Ryanair Chase (15:20)

Selection: Fact To File (11/8) - 2pt Win 

Quite simply Fact To File should be in the Gold Cup, but the presence of Galopin Des Champs has obviously steered them here to wait for 2026. 

I don’t think the Gold Cup trip would be an issue, but after coming up short twice against the reigning champ over 3m, it will probably be harder again in the big one on Friday. 

He’d be the only credible danger and I think it’s a poor decision, but long term it might be the right one. So, it’s the shorter trip and the Ryanair, but there is nothing in here to match the ability. 

Il Est Francais is fascinating, but this isn’t Kempton or Auteuil. It’s Cheltenham and I would be shocked, others would disagree, if the track in anyway suits this style of blasting away with the same level of comfort that the French raider is used to.

Djelo is good but not this good. Envoi Allen, Jungle Boogie and Protektorat are all very good, but 32 years between the trio will take its toll and their best days are perhaps already enjoyed. 

Fact To File can settle, travel, lie up and go on. Basically, Mark Walsh can probably sit still until he needs to loosen the reins. It’s not the Gold Cup, not yet. Roll on March 2026, and surely they roll the dice.

Stayers' Hurdle (16:00) 

Selection: Bob Olinger (W/O Teahupoo, 14/1) - 1pt Each-Way

Teahupoo can win back-to-back Stayers' Hurdle crowns for Gordon Elliott and owners Robcour, but the odds on horse racing betting sites are tight. The ground could be a bit softer to suit and it’s not the greatest betting proposition. 

The same owners have two in the race and Bob Olinger is interesting, mainly because the classy type just runs better at Cheltenham than anywhere else. The 10-year-old is a horse that can travel and kick like very few when on song.

Home By The Lee is the opposite, and has had the measure of Bob Olinger in recent tussles, but I expect that to be reversed here where his form figures of 653 are disappointing given what they have achieved elsewhere.

If Teahupoo is slightly under par, then Bob might take advantage. If not, then I still expect them to hold off the majority of the field and be right in there pitching at the finish.

Plate Handicap Chase (16:40)

Selection 1: Thecompanysergeant (8/1) - 1pt Each-Way
Selection 2: Demnat (50/1) - 1pt Each-Way

A trappy handicap to solve. The word is for Jagwar, the market is for Jagwar and after a lovely win at Cheltenham in January they hold solid claims. 

However, Thecompanysergeant looks laid out for a big run by the shrewd Gavin Cromwell team, after being picked up in the sales.

It could have gone in the Novices’ chase, they will have been careful picking the battle here. Conor Stone-Walsh is a terrific booking and takes 3lbs off. They could be very nicely treated indeed.

The other, certainly more speculative dart is Venetia Williams’ Demnat who always looked to be going places.

Missed almost three years after arriving at the yard from France and was breathtaking on first start.

However, it was then rushed into the Festival last season, and it hasn’t quite gone to plan since. 

Two runs this term have been more structured, and if they have the 8-year-old right for this, is one to very much have on side.

Kim Muir Chase (17:20)

Selection 1: Dom Of Mary (40/1) - 1pt Each-Way
Selection 2: Git Maker (16/1) - 0.5pt Win

I could line up a few here. Walking On Air is clearly well handicapped and would be a great story if they were to win here with Alan O’Sullivan on top. 

Weveallbeencaught would have been a pick for me in the Ultima, but they opted to run already this month and now come here on a recovery mission once more, a frustratingly talented horse. 

Git Maker was brilliant in defeat last year behind a Gold Cup type, and if it comes up soft enough, would be a big player again. One to save while keeping an eye on the skies.

Dom Of Mary though was unlucky last year, and can go a lot closer this time around. 

It won the Sussex National en route, and then just didn’t get the breaks in running to get involved when it mattered 12 months ago. 

Nearly won the Sussex National again this season, but there is still more to come. It will be a big day for the jockey Tom Hutsby but I trust David Bridgewater has made the right call in chancing this over the Midlands National and I expect a bold bid.