Cheltenham Festival 2021 Day Three Preview | Thursday March 18th

The 2021 Cheltenham Festival gets underway on Tuesday, March 16th 2021. Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival is on Thursday, March 18th 2021.

Where is the Cheltenham Festival held?

The Cheltenham Festival is held at the famous Cheltenham Racecourse in the town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. Many acknowledge Cheltenham Racecourse as the home of UK jump racing.

What is Day Three of Cheltenham Festival known as?

Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival is also known as St Patricks’ Day or St Patricks’ Thursday. The third day of the Cheltenham Festival is famous for spectators donning green in celebration of the Irish holiday.

How many races are there on Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

There are seven races set to run on Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

Will fans and spectators be in attendance at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

It is looking like the 2021 Cheltenham Festival will go ahead without fans, an unfortunate situation for racegoers who will have to enjoy Cheltenham from home this year.

The 2020 Cheltenham Festival caused controversy last year as hundreds of thousands of spectators attended all four days of the festival despite increasing health concerns over the spread of coronavirus across the UK. The 2020 Cheltenham Festival was the last major sporting event in the UK, attended by crowds of spectators before the country went into its first lockdown.

What are the major races on Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

Four of the seven races on Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival are considered major races.

• 1.20 – Marsh Novices’ Hurdle
• 1.55 – Pertemps Network Final
• 2.30 – Ryanir Chase
• 3.40 – Stayers’ Hurdle

How many Grade 1 Races are there on Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

There are three Grade 1 races on Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

• 1.20 – Marsh Novices’ Hurdle
• 1.55 – Pertemps Network Final
• 3.40 – Stayers’ Hurdle

What is the feature race of Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

The feature race of Day Three is the 14:30 GMT Ryanair Chase.

How many hurdle races are on Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

There are three hurdle races scheduled for Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

• 1.55 – Pertemps Network Final
• 3.05 – Stayers’ Hurdle
• 4.15 – Mares Novices’ Hurdle

How many steeple chase races are on Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

There are four steeple chase races scheduled for Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

• 1.20 – Marsh Novices’ Hurdle
• 3.05 – Ryanair Chase
• 3.40 – Paddy Power Plate
• 4.50 – Kim Muir Challenge Cup

What is the Day Three Prize Money of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?

The prize money for all seven races on Day Three of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival is around £1.2m. The race with the biggest prize pot is the feature race of the day, the Ryanair Chase, which has a huge prize pot of £350,000.

What channel is the 2021 Cheltenham Festival on?

ITV and Racing TV are the two main UK broadcasters of the Cheltenham Festival.

How many 2021 Cheltenham Festival races are being broadcasted?

For one year only, ITV will broadcast six races every day of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival instead of the traditional five races. This agreement has meant that they have bought racing times forward from their original scheduled times in order to accommodate all six races into the programme.

The first race begins at 13.20 GMT instead of 13:30 GMT. Time in between races has reduced from 40 minutes to 35 minutes.

Race 1 – The Marsh Novices’ Chase (1.20)

Marsh Novices’ Chase Distance

The Marsh Novices’ Hurdle is a 2m 4f race containing 17 fences on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by JLT Group.

Marsh Novices’ Chase Race Type

The Marsh Novices’ Chase is a Grade 1 novices’ steeplechase race.

Marsh Novices’ Chase Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged five-years-old and up.

Weight for five-year-olds is 11st 3lb and weight for six-year-olds and up is 11st 4lb. There is a 7lb allowance for mares.

Marsh Novices’ Chase Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Samcro, an eight-year-old trained by Gordon Elliott. The winning jockey was Davy Russell.

Samcro won at a price of 4/1, beating the likes of Melon (14/1) and Faugheen (3/1) to first place.

Marsh Novices’ Chase Leading Trainer

The leading trainer in the Marsh Novices’ Chase is Willie Mullins with four career wins. Mullins last won the Marsh Novices’ Chase in 2017 with Yorkhill.

Marsh Novices’ Chase Leading Jockey

The leading jockey is the retired Ruby Walsh with three wins. Walsh rode 2017 winner Yorkhill for trainer Willie Mullins.

Marsh Novices’ Chase 2021 Favourites

• Envoi Allen
• Energumene
• Monkfish
• Shan Blue1
• Sporting John

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Marsh Novices’ Chase 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Marsh Novices’ Chase here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 2 – The Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle Race) (1.55)

Pertemps Network Final Distance

The Pertemps Network Final is a 3m race containing 20 fences on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by Pertemps.

Pertemps Network Final Race Type

The Pertemps Network Final is a Grade 3 National Hunt handicap hurdle race.

Pertemps Network Final Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged five-years-old and up.

As this is a handicap race, weight will be determined by the handicapper depending on the quality of the racehorse. The better the racehorse, the more weight it will carry during the race.

Pertemps Network Final Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Sire Du Berlais, an eight-year-old trained by Gordon Elliott. The winning jockey was Barry Geraghty.

Champ won at a price of 10/1, beating the likes of The Storyteller (11/2) and Tout Est Permis (12/1) to first place.

Pertemps Network Final Leading Trainer

The leading trainer in the Pertemps Network Final is Jonjo O’Neill, with four career wins. O’Neill last won the Pertemps Network final in 2013 with Holywell, ridden by Richie McLernon.

Pertemps Network Final Leading Jockey

The leading jockeys in the Pertemps Network Final are Barry Geraghty, Davy Russell and Jim Wilson, all with three career wins. Geraghty won back-to-back Pertemps Network Finals on Sire Du Berlais in 2019 and 2020, whilst Russell’s last win came in 2018 on Delta Work, and Wilson’s last win was on three-time winner Willie Wumpkins in 1981.

Pertemps Network Final 2021 Favourites

• The Bosses Oscar
• Champagne Platinum
• Imperial Alcazar
• Brinkley
• Third Wind

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Pertemps Network Final 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Pertemps Network Final here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 3 – The Ryanair Steeple Chase (2.30)

Ryanair Chase Distance

The Ryanair Chase is a 2m 5f race containing ten hurdles on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by Ryanair.

Ryanair Chase Race Type

The Ryanair Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase race.

Ryanair Chase Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged five-years-old and up.

Weight for five-year-olds is 11st 9lb and weight for six-year-olds and up is 11st 10lb. There is a 7lb allowance for mares.

Ryanair Chase Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Min, a nine-year-old trained by Willie Mullins. The winning jockey was Paul Townend.

Min won at a price of 2/1, beating the likes of Saint Calvados (16/1) and A Plus Tard (7/4) to first place.

Ryanair Chase Leading Trainer

The leading trainer in the Ryanair Chase is Paul Nicholls, with three career wins. Nicholls last won the Ryanair Chase in 2019 with Frodon, ridden by Bryony Frost.

Ryanair Chase Leading Jockey

The leading jockey in the Ryanair Chase is Ruby Walsh, with four career wins. Walsh last won the Ryanair Chase in 2017 with Un De Sceaux whilst riding for Willie Mullins.

Ryanair Chase 2021 Favourites

• Allaho
• Chacun Pour Soi
• Min
• Imperial Aura
• Kemboy

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Ryanair Chase 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Ryanair Chase here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 4 – The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (3.05)

Stayers’ Hurdle Distance

The Stayers’ Hurdle is a 3m race containing 13 hurdle on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by Paddy Power.

Stayers’ Hurdle Race Type

The Stayers’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race.

Stayers’ Hurdle Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged four-years-old and up.

Weight for four-year-olds and up is 11st 0lb and weight for five-year-olds and up is 11st 10lb. There is a 7lb allowance for fillies and mares.

Stayers’ Hurdle Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Lisnagar Oscar, a seven-year-old trained by Rebecca Curtis. The winning jockey was Adam Wedge.

Lisnagar Oscar won at a price of 50/1, beating the likes of Ronald Pump (20/1) and Bacardys (33/1) to first place.

Stayers’ Hurdle Leading Trainer

The leading trainers in the Stayers’ Hurdle is Paul Nicholls, with four career wins. Nicholls last won the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2012 with four-time champion Big Bucks, ridden by Ruby Walsh.

Stayers’ Hurdle Leading Jockey

The leading jockeys in the Stayers’ Hurdle is Ruby Walsh, with five career wins. Walsh’s last win came in 2017 with Nichols Canyon whilst riding for Willie Mullins, having previously won four consecutive Stayers’ Hurdle races with Big Bucks whilst riding for Paul Nicholls between 2009-2012.

Stayers’ Hurdle 2021 Favourites

• Paisley Park
• Thyme Hill
• Roksana
• Champ
• Kemboy

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Stayers’ Hurdle 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Stayers’ Hurdle here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 5 – The Paddy Power Plate (Handicap Steeple Chase) (3.40)

Paddy Power Plate Distance

The Paddy Power Plate is a 2m 5f race containing 17 hurdles obstacles on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by Paddy Power.

Paddy Power Plate Race Type

The Paddy Power Plate is a Grade 3 National Hunt handicap steeplechase race.

Paddy Power Plate Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged five-years-old and up.

As this is a handicap race, weight will be determined by the handicapper depending on the quality of the racehorse. The better the racehorse, the more weight it will carry during the race.

Paddy Power Plate Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Simply The Betts, a seven-year-old trained by Harry Whittington. The winning jockey was Gavin Sheehan.

Easyland won at a price of 10/3, beating the likes of Happy Diva (20/1) and Mister Whitaker (22/1) to first place.

Paddy Power Plate Leading Trainer

The leading trainers in the Paddy Power Plate are Nicky Henderson, Martin Pipe and Bobby Renton, and all with four career wins. Henderson’s last win in the Paddy Power Plate came in 2006 with Non So, Pipe’s last win came in 2002 with Blowing Wind, whilst Renton’s last win came in 1968 with Merry Court.

Paddy Power Plate Leading Jockey

The leading jockey in the Paddy Power Plate is Fred Winter, with three career wins. Winter’s last win in the Paddy Power Plate came in 1958 with Caesar’s Helm whilst riding for Bobby Renton.

Paddy Power Plate 2021 Favourites

• Farclas
• The Shunter
• Conflated
• Samcro
• A Wave Of The Sea

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Paddy Power Plate 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Paddy Power Plate here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 6 – The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (4.15)

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Distance

The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle is a 2m 1f race containing eight hurdles on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is sponsored by Daylesford.

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Race Type

The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race.

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged four-years-old and up.

Weight for four-year-olds and up is 10st 8lb and weight for five-year-olds and up is 11st 2lb.

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Concertista, a six-year-old trained by Willie Mullins. The winning jockey was Daryl Jacob.

Concertista won at a price of 9/2, beating the likes of Dolcita (9/1) and Rayna’s World (100/1) to first place.

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Leading Trainer

The leading trainer in this Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle is Willie Mullins, with five career wins. Since the race’s inception into the Cheltenham Festival in 2016, Willie Mullins has won every edition as he has dominated this race.

Two of Willie Mullins’ entries for this year’s race include Gauloise and Shewearsitwell.

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Leading Jockey

The leading jockey in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle is Ruby Walsh, who won the first two editions of the race in 2016 and 2017 whilst riding for Willie Mullins. Walsh won with Limini in 2016 and Let’s Dance in 2017.

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 2021 Favourites

• Hook Up
• Royal Kahala
• Roseys Hollow
• Gauloise
• The Glancing Queen

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.

Race 7 – The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (4.50)

Kim Muir Challenge Cup Distance

The Kim Muir Challenge Cup is a 3m 2f race on the left-handed course at Cheltenham. The race is not sponsored, but named in memory of Fulke Walwyn and Kim Muir.

Kim Muir Challenge Cup Race Type

The Kim Muir Challenge Cup is an ungraded National Hunt steeplechase race. The Kim Muir Challenge Cup is usually competed by amateur riders each year, however, because of COVID-19 restrictions for grassroots sport, which includes amateur riders, professional jockeys will compete this year.

Kim Muir Challenge Cup Qualification and Weight

Qualification for this race is for horses aged four-years-old up to six-years-old.

Weight for four-year-olds is 10st 11lb, whilst weight for five-year-olds and six-year-olds is 11st 5lb. There is a 7lb allowance for fillies mares.

Kim Muir Challenge Cup Previous Winners

The 2020 winner of this race was Milan Native, a seven-year-old trained by Gordon Elliott. The winning jockey was Rob James.

Milan Native won at a price of 9/1, beating the likes of Kilfilm Cross (8/1) and Bob Mahler (16/1) to first place.

Kim Muir Challenge Cup Leading Trainer

The leading trainer in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup is Fred Rimell, with four career wins. Rimell last won the Kim Muir Challenge Cup in 1977 with Double Negative, ridden by Peter Brookshaw.

Kim Muir Challenge Cup Leading Jockey

The leading jockeys in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup is Jamie Codd, also with four career wins. Codd’s last win in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup came in 2016 on Cause of Causes whilst riding for Gordon Elliott.

Kim Muir Challenge Cup 2021 Favourites

• Run Wild Fred
• Time To Get Up
• Hold The Note
• Jerrysback
• Destinee Royale

(Favourites as of Tuesday February 23rd 2021)

Kim Muir Challenge Cup 2021 Betting

You can see the full market for the Kim Muir Challenge Cup here on the Mark Jarvis sportsbook.

You can also download the Mark Jarvis app on iOS and Android for free.