Cheltenham 2026 horse racing betting tips - Thursday, March 12th, 2026

The 2026 Cheltenham Festival enters its third day of racing on St Patrick's Thursday – and Races Now's Harry Fowler is here to deliver his expert insight and betting tips.

So grab yourself a pint of Guinness (other Irish stouts are available!) and read on for Harry's thoughts on day three of the Festival action!

Harry Fowler's Cheltenham Best Bets - Thursday, March 12th, 2026

Day three of the festival is here. Today looks like it could be a day for the punters, with three odds-on shots on the card, including in our feature race, where Fact To File is looking to go back-to-back in the Ryanair following his mighty impressive nine-length victory last year.

1:20 - Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)

For all she is a short price, I can’t see Bambino Fever being beaten here. On her seasonal reappearance, she was beaten by today’s rival, Oldschool Outlaw, but that rival had the benefit of race fitness.

Bambino Fever has the course and festival form following her win in last year’s Champion Bumper, and with runs now under her belt, I think she will take some beating.

Harry’s Selection – Bambino Fever - 1pt @ 6/5 (AKBets)

2:00 - Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)

I like Stencil in here. He was sent off favourite last year for the Fred Winter but was far too keen to ever do himself justice. His first two runs over fences were more of the same, but last time out, he settled and won easily. I think there is a lot more to come from this horse.

Harry’s Selection – Stencil – 0.5pt EW @ 10/1 (PricedUp)

2:40 – Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

No Lossiemouth this year, and it has left a golden opportunity for Wodhooh that I don’t think she will pass up. Whilst I respect Jade De Grugy, she has been running over fences this season and has hardly been geared up for this race.

Wodhooh is a progressive mare with nine wins from ten starts over hurdles, and that one defeat came to Lossiemouth, where she put in a solid performance at Aintree. There is still plenty more to come from this mare, and I think she will win this — and it won’t be the last time she wins this race.

Harry’s Selection – Wodhooh - 1pt win @ 1/1 (Betfred)

3:20 - Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1)

I have already tipped Bob Olinger on the YouTube channel and will stick with him. He was a good winner of this race last year, and I think his record at Cheltenham speaks for itself — four from four.

I was pleased with his run last time out, where he finished behind Teahupoo, but he has never won at Leopardstown, so, with that in mind, that looks a solid run.

Harry’s Selection – Bob Olinger – 0.5pt EW @ 15/2 (William Hill)

4:00 – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)

I think Fact To File is one of the best horses in training at this stage. He will most likely win, but I think there is another angle in this race that intrigues me more.

Impaire Et Passe is a top-class horse that I think is being underestimated in this market. He is a two-time Grade 1 winner over hurdles, including here in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, where he beat Gaelic Warrior by six and a half lengths.

Last season, he went chasing, where he won three of his five starts, including a Grade 1 at Aintree. I think Impaire Et Passe without Fact To File is a good bet here.

Harry’s Selection – Impaire Et Passe without Fact To File – 1pt win @ 5/2 (William Hill)

4:40 - Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

A full field of 24 here and a well-backed favourite in Supremely West. For all he does, he looks on a rather good mark; I want to take him on at those prices.

Bold Endeavour was the one I landed on. He is back with Nicky Henderson after an unsuccessful move to another stable. He has dropped 13lbs in the handicap since his fourth in this race in 2024.

His one run back with Nicky Henderson was full of promise after 369 days off, and he looks dangerously handicapped here.

Harry’s Selection – Bold Endeavour – 0.5pt EW @ 15/2 (Bet365)

5:20 - Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase

Kim Roque is a horse that, to me, has been waiting for this step up in trip. He has run well twice at Cheltenham this season over two and a half miles.

I am unconvinced by the favourite in this race — he doesn’t look like a chaser to me at all. I think Kim Roque is better than a mark of 131, at a track he clearly goes well at, and stepping up in trip should suit. He looks a good each-way bet to end the day.

Harry’s Selection – Kim Roque – 0.5pt EW @ 6/1 (Bet365)

Harry's Cheltenham Festival tips for Thursday, March 12th, 2026

2:00 – Stencil – 0.5pt EW @ 10/1 (PricedUp)

3:20 – Bob Olinger – 0.5pt EW @ 15/2 (William Hill)

4:00 – Impaire Et Passe without Fact To File – 1pt win @ 5/2 (William Hill)

4:40 – Bold Endeavour – 0.5pt EW @ 15/2 (Bet365)

5:20 – Kim Roque – 0.5pt EW @ 6/1 (Bet365)

Double – 1:20 Bambino Fever & 2:40 Wodhooh – 2pt win @ 3.4/1 (Ladbrokes)

Total staked - 5pts

Prices correct as of 10am GMT on Thursday, March 12th 2026.