Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival 2026: Here's what's happening today on St Patrick's Thursday - all races and Ryanair Chase odds
It’s day three at one of the biggest events in the British horse racing calendar.
The Cheltenham Festival is now at its halfway point with 5/2 shot Il Etait Temps winning the big race on Ladies Day yesterday, the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Today it’s St Patrick’s Thursday at the famous racecourse, recognising the huge number of Irish race fans who make the journey to attend.
And it means we’re just one day away from the big one - the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening today.
When is the Cheltenham Festival?
The Festival takes place from March 10-13, with seven races each day making it the biggest horse racing meeting of the year.
The first race of each day takes place at 1.20pm with the final starting at 5.20pm. A champion race is held each day at 4pm, starting with the Unibet Champion Hurdle on the first day and finishing with the Boodles Gold Cup on day four.
What races are taking place at the Cheltenham Festival today?
Here are all seven races being run on Thursday, March 12, and the runners in each.
1.20pm: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Bambino Fever, Oldschool Outlaw, Carrigmoornaspruce, Selma De Vary, Echoing Silence, La Conquiere,Charme De Faust, Mille Et Une Vies, Highland Crystal, Kingston Queen, Future Prospect, Full Of Life, Diamond Du Berlais, Place De La Nation, White Noise, St Irene, Jackie Hobbs, Amen Kate, Manganese, Blue Velvet, Chosen Comrade, Louve D'Irlande, Al Fonce, Scavengers Reign, Belle Montrose
2pm: Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
Koktail Divin, Meetmebythesea, Regent's Stroll, Slade Steel, Jordans Cross,Sixmilebridge,Stencil, Wingmen, Kim Roque, The Bluesman, Kiss Will, Kdeux Saint Fray, King Alexander, Gold Dancer, Joystick, Ol Man Dingle, Western Diego, Jipcot, Relieved Of Duties, Karl Des Tourelles, Moon Rocket, King Of Kingsfield, Western Knight, Dr Eggman, Where's My Jet, Ben Solo, Intense Approach, Old Cowboy, Koukeo, Lisnagar Fortune, Moore Park, Downmexicoway, Quebecois, McLaurey, Knight Of Allen, Will The Wise
2.40pm: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Wodhooh, Jade De Grugy, Feet Of A Dancer, Take No Chances, Jetara, Murcia, Dream On Baby, Nurse Susan, Lavida Adiva, La Pinsonniere, Sunset Marquesa, Siog Geal, Sotchi, Lossiemouth
3.20pm: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1)
Teahupoo, Kabral Du Mathan, Honesty Policy, Bob Olinger, Ma Shantou, Ballyburn, Impose Toi, Hewick, Home By The Lee, Feet Of A Dancer, Doddiethegreat, Gowel Road, Gwennie May Boy
4pm: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
Fact To File, Heart Wood, Banbridge, Il Etait Temps, Romeo Coolio, Impaire Et Passe, Firefox, Jonbon, Gaelic Warrior, Energumene, JPR One, Matata, Master Chewy, Croke Park
4.40pm: Pertemps Network Final (Premier Handicap)
Supremely West, Electric Mason, Minella Emperor, C'Est Different, Impose Toi, Melbourne Shamrock, Ace Of Spades, Absolutely Doyen, Bold Endeavour, Staffordshire Knot, Kikijo, Lavida Adiva, Letos, Gowel Road, Yeah Man, Champagne Chic, Minella Sixo, Ikarak, Red Dirt Road, Classic King, Onewaywest, Ambion View, Duke Silver, Eyed, Millstream Lady, Turndlightsdownlow, Idem, Lihyan, Idy Wood, Ike Sport, 3Found A Diamond, Ontheropes, El Capitaine
5.20pm: Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
Jeriko Du Reponet, Waterford Whispers, J'Arrive De L'Est, Herakles Westwood, Kim Roque, Prends Garde A Toi, Road To Home, Daily Present, Hyland, Weveallbeencaught, Will Do, The Enabler, Patter Merchant, Gericault Roque, Il Ridoto, Hunter Legend, Sandor Clegane, King's Threshold, Search For Glory, Excello, Ask Brewster, Kish Bank, Monbeg Genius, Glengouly, Lucky Lyreen, Kelce, Uncle Bert, Binge Worthy, Insurrection, Lord Accord, Olympic Man, Hung Jury, Cave Court, Chavez, Rexem, No Time To Wait
What are the odds for the Ryanair Chase?
The biggest race of the day is the Ryanair Chase which will get started at 4pm. Here’s how the bookies see it.
- Fact To File - 1/1
- Jonbon - 7/2
- Impaire Et Passe - 5/1
- Banbridge - 7/1
- Heart Wood - 12/1
- Matata - 30/1
- JPR One - 40/1
- Master Chewy - 150/1
Can I watch the Cheltenham Festival on television?
STV will be broadcasting live coverage of the first five races of each day of the festival from 12.45pm to 5pm. You can also catch races on the STV Player streaming platform.
Racing TV, which is available to Sky and Virgin Media customers, will also be providing coverage of the festival.
When is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the biggest race of the entire festival and will take place on Friday, March 13 - starting at 4pm.
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