The 2025 Cheltenham Festival has thrilled so far and St Patrick’s Thursday is set to deliver more drama as the UK’s biggest week of racing continues.
Marine Nationale claimed a surprise victory in yesterday’s headline race, the Champion Chase, after favourite Jonbon hit a fence on the way round and could only recover to finish second. Earlier the highly rated Ballyburn was stunningly beaten in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase as Lecky Watson triumphed in the all-Irish renewal.
Today’s highlights include the Ryanair Chase (3.20pm), where Fact To File and Il Est Francais drop back in trip for what seems certain to be a fascinating battle with the evergreen Protektorat, who attempts to defend his crown. And Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo is in good shape ahead of his defence of the Stayers’ Hurdle (4pm), up against stablemate The Wallpark and Nicky Henderson’s Lucky Place as well as Home By The Lee, trained by Joseph O’Brien.
Follow all the news, including previews, expert tips, free bet offers and the latest Cheltenham Festival with our live blog below:
Richard Johnson previews the Stayers’ Hurdle
22-time Cheltenham Festival winning jockey, Richard Johnson, gave his thoughts on today’s champion race and what he thinks on Teahupoo’s preparation.
Speaking to Betfred he said: “I can see why they’ve done the same as last year, he’s best fresh. I can also see why he’s favourite, but it’s a more open race than last year’s. Home By The Lee is still improving, and this is the most open contest in the Championship races.
“I laughed at Langer Dan’s price given he hasn’t shown any form this season, but when he got beat in the Martin Pipe, he was behind Galopin Des Champs!
“It’s amazing when you look at some of these horses, they come back year after year and run well at the Festival, if he runs in the Stayers, he wouldn’t be the most silly each-way price.”
Mike Jones13 March 2025 10:14
Marine Nationale’s win dedicated to Michael O’Sullivan
Marine Nationale triumphed in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4pm yesterday before Jazzy Matty took the Grand Annual Handicap Chase just 40 minutes later.
Marine Nationale’s trainer Barry Connell said:
“I’d like to dedicate this win to Michael and his girlfriend Charlotte, who’s here.
“Our hearts go out to all his friends and family and girlfriend. Racing is a great community behind people when things like this happen.”
Mike Jones13 March 2025 10:07
Cheltenham Festival weather: Latest forecast for Day Three with dry spell expected
The Cheltenham Festival is back as hundreds of thousands of fans descend on the iconic Gloucestershire racecourse for one of the sport’s biggest weeks of the year but a shock flurry of snow on Wednesday morning could disrupt plans.
The Met Office has forecast dry and sunny spells on Day 3 of the Festival after heavy snow blanketed large parts of the Cheltenham area and Gloucestershire yesterday morning.
Yesterday’s snow did not disrupt the racing shedule and with sunny spells expected between 12pm and 5pm today’s conditions should be ideal.
Mike Jones13 March 2025 10:00
St. Patrick’s Thursday runners
5.20: JRL Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Listed) Race conditions: £75,000 | 3m2f | 21 fences | New Course
Runners: Fantastic Lady; Yeah Man; Sa Majeste; Johnnywho; Gelino Bello; Mint Boy; Weveallbeencaught; Cleatus Poolaw; Manothepeople; Sine Nomine; Git Maker; Nine Graces; Midnight Our Fred; Music Of Tara; Where It All Began; Westerninthepark; Wiseguy; Daily Present; Galop De Chasse; Now Where Or When; Pats Fancy; Grozni; Walking On Air; Dom Of Mary
Mike Jones13 March 2025 09:52
St. Patrick’s Thursday runners
4.40: TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Race conditions: £150,000 | 2m4½f | 17 fences | New Course
Runners: Conflated; Ginny’s Destiny; Jordans; Fugitif; Path d’Oroux; Shakem Up’arry; Il Ridoto; La Malmason; Masaccio; Gemirande; Seddon; Tahmuras; Jagwar; Thecompanysergeant; Personal Ambition; Riaan; Mars Harper; An Peann Dearg; Demnat; Individualiste
Mike Jones13 March 2025 09:47
St. Patrick’s Thursday runners
4.00: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) Race conditions: £325,000 | 3m | 12 hurdles | New course
Runners: Bob Olinger; Buddy One; Crambo; Franciscan Rock; Ga Law; Gowel Road; Home By The Lee; Langer Dan; Lucky Place; Mystical Power; Nemean Lion; Rocky’s Diamond; Teahupoo; The Wallpark
Mike Jones13 March 2025 09:42
St. Patrick’s Thursday runners
3.20: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) Race conditions: £375,000 | 2m4½f | 17 fences | New Course
Runners: Djelo; Envoi Allen; Fact To File; Hang In There; Heart Wood; Il Est Francais; Jungle Boogie; Master Chewy; Protektorat
Mike Jones13 March 2025 09:37
St. Patrick’s Thursday runners
2.40: Pertemps Final (Grade 3) Race conditions: £100,000 | 3m | 12 hurdles | New course
Runners: Thomas Mor; Karl Des Tourelles; Bugise Seagull; Win Some Lose Some; Harbour Lake; Supreme Gift; D Art D Art; Feet Of A Dancer; Lucky Lyreen; Jeriko Du Reponet; Patter Merchant; Henri The Second; Will The Wise; One Big Bang; Super Survivor; J’Ai Froid; Maxi Mac Gold; Shanagh Bob; Doddiethegreat; Catch Him Derry; Guard The Moon; Zain Nights; Idem; American Sniper
Mike Jones13 March 2025 09:32
St. Patrick’s Thursday runners
2.00: Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase (Grade 2) Race conditions: £125,000 | 2m4f | 17 fences | New Course
Runners: Springwell Bay; Firefox; Caldwell Potter; Dee Capo; Answer To Kayf; Asian Master; Insurrection; Nurburgring; O’Moore Park; Anyway; San Salvador; The Other Mozzie; What’s Up Darling; Pic Roc; Densworth; Moon D’Orange; Lord Of Thunder; Es Perfecto; Ryan’s Rocket; Shanbally Kid; Galunggung; The Famous Five
Mike Jones13 March 2025 09:26
St. Patrick’s Thursday runners
1.20: Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) Race conditions: £105,000 | 2m1f | 8 hurdles | New Course
Runners: Air Of Entitlement; Aurora Vega; Bluey; Brendas Asking; Disco Dancer; Diva Luna; Hollygrove Cha Cha; Jane Eire; Jubilee Alpha; Just A Rose; Karamoja; Karoline Banbou; Kimi De Mai; Kitty Foyle; Lagertha; Magic McColgan; Maughreen; Metkayina; Mystical Goddess; Queen St Clair; Sixandahalf; Tour Ovalie; Venuisienne; Galileo Dame
Mike Jones13 March 2025 09:21
