Cheltenham Festival day 3 racing tips: Best free bets for Thursday, March 13

The Ryanair Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle are the big Grade 1 races this Thursday afternoon, but you can't ignore the other five contests on offer.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware horses could become non-runners after article publication)

 

Thursday Cheltenham tips:

13:20 (Cheltenham) Sixandahalf

14:00 (Cheltenham) Springwell Bay

14:40 (Cheltenham) Feet Of A Dancer

15:20 (Cheltenham) Fact To File

16:00 (Cheltenham) Teahupoo

16:40 (Cheltenham) Jagwar

17:20 (Cheltenham) Walking On Air

 

13:20 (Cheltenham) Sixandahalf

Sixandahalf finished an excellent third on the flat in the Irish Cesarewitch and she created a sizeable impression on her hurdling debut at Fairyhouse last time.

Gavin Cromwell's mare lacks experience but has so much potential in this sphere and can make it two from two over hurdles in the opening Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Galileo Dame holds very solid form claims after finishing runner-up in the G1 Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last month and must be respected.

The unbeaten Maughreen is well-bred and needs to be taken seriously with the first-time hood fitted after her successful hurdling debut at Punchestown in January.

Stablemate Aurora Vega also needs to be considered for the powerful Willie Mullins team.

 

14:00 (Cheltenham) Springwell Bay

Springwell Bay recorded his first fences victory racing from off the pace prior to winning by 9L over course and distance the start of January.

Received Graded entries for the Cheltenham Festival before connections settled on running in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

Form of a second in December was given a boost with the winner scoring the G1 Arkle Trophy Chase on Tuesday.

Nurburgring demonstrated good form when 8.3L third in the G2 Craddockstown Novice Chase (2m) at Punchestown during November. Best efforts suggest handicap mark is lenient.

Firefox performed well finishing 12.8L third in the G1 Arkle Novice Chase (2m1f) at Leopardstown. Of Interest switching to a handicap.

Asian Master must be considered stepping up in trip representing top stable. Conditional jockey claim is a positive from current mark.

 

14:40 (Cheltenham) Feet Of A Dancer

Feet Of A Dancer has been freshened since finishing third in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown during December.

Looks capable of recording her fifth win in twelve career starts from a fair handicap mark in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.

Win Some Lose Some justified favouritism winning by 0.8L in the previously mentioned Leopardstown qualifier. Expected to play a role representing top connections.

Will The Wise qualified for the race with a 2.5L triumph at Naas (2m7 1/4f). Rates a major threat. Step up in distance expected to suit.

Jeriko Du Reponet returned to action with a third place finish attempting a handicap hurdle (2m7 1/4f) at Exeter just over a month ago.

Promising late run from the gelding and could be firmly in the mix.

 

15:20 (Cheltenham) Fact To File

The Ryanair Chase is billed as an exciting clash between Fact To File and the French-trained Il Est Francais.

Fact To File is dropping back in distance after two strong placings attempting top-level staying chases including a third in G1 Irish Gold Cup. Connections believe he will improve for the intermediate test.

Il Est Francais produced another exciting front-running display when third in the G1 King George VI Chase at Kempton Park during December and kept fresh since provides first outing at Cheltenham.

Protektorat won this race last year. Returned to his best taking the conditions Fleur de Lys Chase at Windsor. This will suit and cannot be dismissed.

Jungle Boogie remains lightly raced for the age. Ran well finishing sixth in the 2024 G1 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Won his sole start at Ascot this season. Interesting.

 

16:00 (Cheltenham) Teahupoo

Teahupoo seeks back-to-back Stayers' Hurdle wins. Form of his sole start (second) in the G1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle this season was given a boost with the winner subsequently scoring the G1 Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival this week.

The Wallpark was probably not suited by the run of the race when only fourth in the G1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot during December. Recorded four straight victories prior and deserves another chance.

Bob Olinger is three-from-three at Cheltenham. Not the force of old. Could be revitalised by revisiting this track. Place.

Lucky Place will be looking for a third consecutive success. Warrants thought.

 

16:40 (Cheltenham) Jagwar

Jagwar has won three of his four fences starts. Demonstrated ability in these conditions taking a course and distance event on Trials Day.

The Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase is probably one of the best chances for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero's yard during the week racing from a fair weight.

Thecompanysergeant delivered his first 2025 outing finishing third tackling a handicap hurdle at Navan in January. Conditional provides some weight relief. Consider.

Jordans was badly hampered unseating at Punchestown in November. Demonstrated good form when 4L second attempting the G1 Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick. Expected to have a big impact on handicap debut.

Fugitif won at this venue in the past. Of note following a solid sixth in the Newbury G2 Denman Chase which was a clear campaign for this race.

 

17:20 (Cheltenham) Walking On Air

Walking On Air was challenging for the lead when falling at the last tackling a handicap chase at Doncaster in January.

Selected to record a win from a low handicap mark in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase.

Johnnywho struggled with jumping errors when 27L last of three in the G2 Hampton Novices Chase (3m1/4f) at Windsor during January. Strong claims with top amateur Derek O'Connor booked to ride making handicap debut.

Winning two of the past three starts Sa Majeste registered a 0.8L victory at Fairyhouse just over five weeks ago. Danger to all switching to a handicap.

The winner of the Foxhunters at this meeting twelve months ago Sine Nomine fell when contesting a handicap chase at Wetherby in December.

Form this season has not been up to this level although improvement expected returning to these conditions.

 

READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival 2025 guide: Day-by-day race times, how to watch, best horses, trainers, jockeys and more

READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival Naps of the Day - Today's best free horse racing bets from the UK's top tipsters

 

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