AUTHOR: Star Sports Content
STAR RACING PREVIEW Thu: Cheltenham Festival 2026, Day 3
Day 2 of the Festival was another thriller on track with the Festival’s modern kings of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend starring once again, for all that we saw a magnificent ride from Harry Cobden on Kitzbuhel in the Brown Advisory to boot, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.
It was also another busy day of action on course for us – recap it all in Simon Nott’s day 2 betting blog:
Harry Skelton has been in the thick of things all week, and he’s got another strong book of rides on the third day, including Stayers’ Hurdle favourite Kabral Du Mathan:
📽️ Davy Russell previews: https://starsportsbet.co.uk/davy-russell-cheltenham-festival-2026-previews/
📈 Trader Chat special: https://starsportsbet.co.uk/trader-chat-cheltenham-festival-2026-special/
📘 Cheltenham PDF guide: https://starsportsbet.co.uk/cheltenham-festival-guide-with-davy-russell-harry-skelton-3/
🏆 STAR SPORTS RACING MARKETS 🏆
🏆 1:20 Cheltenham – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) 2m1f
Like so many contests this week, this has a big field and plenty of realistic chances. It’s very easy to make a strong case for Bambino Fever, given the way she won last season’s Champion and Punchestown Bumpers before a defeat to a race-fit Oldschool Outlaw (since an impressive Grade 3 winner at Fairyhouse) and a very easy win at Fairyhouse.
There’s not much to go against her with, although that’s factored into a price of just over even money with Star Sports at the time of writing, and there’s a good argument to suggest that the gap between the two in the betting is too big, even accounting for the differing levels of yard form and fitness at Naas.
It’s not like this is a two horse race, either. Carrigmoornaspruce has a strong body of work and is better as a hurdler, finishing second in Grade 1 company at Christmas. She’s an each/way player at the very least whilst Echoing Silence, from the Henry De Bromhead yard that’s won two of the last five renewals of this, was a comprehensive winner over Switch from Disel, second to Bambino Fever in the Punchestown Bumper and highly tried in Grade 1 company since. Dropping back in trip will be no problem (winner over 2m1f; new course will test stamina) and she’s very much one to take seriously.
La Conquiere beat some of these in the Aintree bumper and won her first two over hurdles before a messy Grade 2 race at Ascot against elders didn’t suit. This will be much more her bag and she’s one of many who can be given a place shout, including Mullins mares Charme De Faust and Future Prospect, both impressive winners last time out although this will need to take another leap forward and Future Prospect’s past weak finishes are a worry.
One horse to take note of at a big, big price is Full Of Life, who got the better of Carrigmoornaspruce at Down Royal back in October who has been kept behind for this assignment since. That form looks a lot stronger now, she loves good enough and her front-running tactics have made hay so far this week. Manganese, one of some talented 4yos, is a smart mare who got the better of Manlaga at Doncaster in January. Manlanga’s Fred Winter seventh suggested that she’s smart at least but has a bit more to find.
🏆 2:00 Cheltenham – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) 2m4½f
The withdrawal of Sixmilebridge has changed the market shape of this race with Jordans Cross favourite now and deservedly so after a fine season in which he’s 3-4, with the only blemish a fall when he was set to win here in November.
He’s got the strongest UK handicap chase form and will take some stopping here – the form of his Trials Day second was boosted by Quebecois in some style on Tuesday when he ran a screamer in the Ultima. Regent’s Stroll has a very similar profile to last year’s winner Caldwell Potter and won’t be far away but the biggest improvement might come from Meetmebythesea, who has won two handicaps with plenty to spare over 2m on soft ground, but whose best effort is actually at 2m4f on a decent surface, having finished third in the EBF Final last year as a novice.
The big danger could well be Slade Steel, who has been frustrating over fences, although his four second-place finishes are to Graded performers in Lecky Watson, Predators Gold, and Joystick (seventh in Brown Advisory), with the latter effort on ground softer than he wants. It could be a sign of significant faith that he runs here rather than Koktail Divin, who was given a chance in the Browns and was travelling as well as anything around the home turn, and a big run wouldn’t surprise.
Of the others, Kiss Will caught the eye with JJ Slevin booked for Willie Mullins. At a price, King Alexander also looked big from the same yard.
🏆 2:40 Cheltenham – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) 2m4½f
The form of the Gordon Elliott yard (only two runner-up spots so far from a host of fancied contenders) is the biggest question mark against Wodhooh, who has won nine of her ten hurdles starts and finished runner-up to Lossiemouth in the Aintree Hurdle on the other occasion.
Last year’s second Jade de Grugy reverts from fences here after showing good form through the winter and will be there to pick up any pieces whilst Feet of A Dancer was second to a slightly below par Wodhooh at Christmas (Wodhooh picked up a cut in victory) and was arguably even better either side when taking wins at Pucnhestown and Doncaster in good style over differing trips. Take No Chances won’t be far away at all and looks in better form than she was last season, although an on-form Wodhooh does have her covered on last season’s Aintree Hurdle form.
Dream On Baby, Jetara and Sunset Marquesa are all held on the best of their form.
🏆 3:20 Cheltenham – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) 3m
This is wide open and few winners would surprise. The place to start might well be last year’s 1-2, with Bob Olinger taking advantage of a relative dash to get the better of Teahupoo, unbeaten in three Grade 1’s since. Teahupoo beat Bob Olinger by seven lengths at Christmas when he pressed on and Jack Kennedy will do the same here today but there’s not a ton of pace in the race, which might suit the veteran from Henry De Bromhead’s yard.
The more pace is needed, the more the Skelton’s Kabral Du Mathan will benefit. His two runs for the yard have seen him bolt up at Haydock by 2 lengths before he slammed Coral Cup winner Jingko Blue with ease in the Reelkeel. He was mostly speed that day but the ground is the same, if not faster today and he wasn’t stopping at the line. The Townend/Mullins form will make sure Ballyburn has his backers but even in a slowly run race his stamina’s a concern.
Honesty Policy has lots to offer as a stayer based on his closing third to Impose Toi in the Long Walk on his return at Ascot. He should relish this test here and would be a very hopeful each/way selection if not for the yard’s performances so far this week. Ma Shantou threw his hat into the ring late on for this when he slammed Impose Toi in the Cleeve Hurdle on Trials Day, hitting the line strongly after showing a smart turn of foot to get the better of the Long Walk winner. That was his third impressive win at Cheltenham this campaign and a reproduction of that effort has him involved at least – he might be the answer, although on better terms it wouldn’t be a surprise if Impose Toi was able to get close or reverse the form here.
🏆 4:00 Cheltenham – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) 2m4½f
The only real question mark against Fact To File here looks to be a trend developing where he produces a huge performance (his dominant victory in this last year, the way he nearly reeled in Gaelic Warrior in the John Durkan) and it then is followed by a flat effort (well beaten in Punchestown Champion Chase last season, and was flat in the King George). If he’s at top form today, then current odds are a gift, but after the week yours truly has had, an alternative strategy is needed.
Banbridge, who ran such a tremendous race in the King George when beaten just a nose (ahead of Fact To File), will love this ground, but since winning the Martin Pipe he’s been poor at the Festival, albeit with the caveat of having bad ground in Protektorat’s Ryanair (2024) and just not being right perhaps last year. Sean Bowen being on again is a major positive but there are some concerns that we’ve seen the peak of him in the King George and nowhere else recently.
A winner of the Ballymore over hurdles here two years ago, Impaire Et Passe skipped this meeting last year before winning the Manifesto Chase at Aintree when he got the better of Gidleigh Park and Arkle winner/Gold Cup contender Jango Baie in good style. After a long absence, he did well to win a very tactical Red Mills Chase, beating inferior opposition but doing so with a rapid turn of foot from an uncompromising position. He should take a major step forward from that here, and being back on this ground ought to suit him a lot, so he’s a serious player with the form of Paul Townend and Willie Mullins a bonus.
Jonbon, surely one of the most admirable horses of recent years, steps up in trip here having found circumstances going against him over 2m over this course, and he has to be hugely respected. The worry for him, however, is two extremely tough races at Ascot when winning the Clarence House and Ascot Chase, and even for a horse as tough as him, it would be some feat to rise again in a much tougher race.
Heart Wood was a credible second to Fact to File last year and arrives after a comprehensive win in the New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore. Solid and dependable in general, he has another place chance and may be worth taking in special markets.
🏆 4:40 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) 3m
There’s no doubting that Supremely West has eye-catching handicap claims but he won’t be the only one who’s been targeted here and this looks a race worth having a go at each/way.
The first of two selections is Electric Mason, who was a creditable second to Stayers’ Hurdle contender Ma Shantou, with Supremely West and the very solid yardstick Long Draw behind – here in October at the Showcase, before then showing a tremendous attitude to get the better of Hartington in the Premier Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle, with seven subsequent winners behind him there. He’s up 7lbs but that’s probably been earnt and he should make a bold bid if in the same form.
Letos never went a yard in the Lawlor’s at Naas last time but previously he’d earned his spot with second in a Carlisle qualifier. Previously, he’d taken victory in the Brown Lad, with next time out winners the Nagger Reidy and Staffordshire Knot (who has since progressed to a graded level) behind whilst there have been other winners down the field. Tony Mullins will have had an early on this since November and Danny Mullins is a notable booking.
🏆 5:20 Cheltenham – Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) 3m2½f
A number here with chances. JP McManus has the leading pair in the shape of Jeriko Du Reponet and Waterford Whispers. Both have their chances and must be respected, although Jeriko du Reponet’s jumping has been dire so far. Waterford Whispers shaped as if he’d be better over further when third at the Dublin Racing Festival and makes slightly more appeal but he’s been well found in the market along with Kim Roque, who has a good body of work in a short career for Joseph O’Brien, but who hasn’t appeared to cry out for this sort of test.
Herakles Westwood has a lot of solid handicap chase form including three good runs here this season, the first of them when second at the Open meeting, the second when fourth in a Premier Handicap to classy operators in the shape of Blaze The Way, L’Homme Presse, and The Short Go and the last when winning here on New Year’s Day when beating Premier Handicap winner Katate Dori and New Order, who was then second in the Great Yorkshire Chase. He’s got some of the most solid form in the field, will stay, has had a wind op since January, and Warren Geartrex has made an eye-catching jockey booking.
Two others at a price that made the shortlist were Weveallbeencaught, whose form before his Leopardstown disappointment gives him serious claims (although he’s higher in the weights then when fourth last year), and King’s Threshold, an impressive winner at Newbury last time after an eyecatching fourth in the Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase.
RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Echoing Silence in the 1.20 Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 14/1 (🏆
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BACK Meetmebythesea in the 2.00 Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 13/2 (🏆
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BACK Slade Steel in the 2.00 Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 13/2 (🏆
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BACK Ma Shantou in the 3.20 Cheltenham 1pt win at 6/1 (🏆
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BACK Impose Toi in the 3.20 Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 9/1 (🏆
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BACK Impaire Et Passe in the 4.00 Cheltenham 1 pt each/way at 6/1 (🏆
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BACK Electric Mason in the 4.40 Cheltenham 1 pt each/way at 9/1 (🏆
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BACK Letos in the 4.40 Cheltenham 1 pt each/way at 18/1 (🏆
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BACK Herakles Westwood in the 5.20 Cheltenham 1 pt each/way at 9/1 (🏆
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PROFIT/LOSS (MAR 2026): -38.50 points
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