The Cheltenham Festival 2026 has officially thundered into its third day, and what a spectacle it’s been so far! With the best horses, trainers, and jockeys descending on the home of jumps racing from Tuesday, March 10 through Friday, March 13, fans have been treated to a feast of unpredictable drama, shock winners, and the emergence of fresh racing heroes. As the festival edges toward its grand Gold Cup finale, St Patrick’s Thursday delivered a series of jaw-dropping results that have set tongues wagging across the racing world.
Let’s set the scene: this year’s Cheltenham Festival is living up to its reputation as one of the sport’s most electrifying events. Big names like Constitution Hill, Marine Nationale, and Galopin Des Champs were ruled out before the starting flag, meaning the 2026 edition has been wide open from the get-go. With fewer clear favorites, punters and pundits alike have been left guessing—and the results have not disappointed.
On Day 3, the racecourse was buzzing with anticipation for the headline act: the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. All eyes were on Bob Olinger, the reigning champion aiming for a remarkable fourth Festival triumph. The field was stacked, with former champ Teahupoo looking to reclaim glory and new faces like Honesty Policy, Kabral Du Mathan, Impose Toi, and Ma Shantou eager to make a name for themselves. But racing, as ever, had a surprise in store.
In a stunning turn, it was Home By The Lee who galloped to victory at astonishing odds of 33/1, leaving Ballyburn (11/2) and Bob Olinger (13/2) to settle for the places. The upset sent shockwaves through the grandstands and social media alike, as few had tipped Home By The Lee to steal the show in such a competitive field. According to the official results, the top three in the Stayers’ Hurdle were Home By The Lee, Ballyburn, and Bob Olinger, a trifecta that few could have predicted at the start of the week.
Earlier in the day, the drama kicked off with the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) at 1:20 PM. White Noise, a 40/1 outsider, stormed home to claim an unlikely win, followed by Oldschool Outlaw (15/2), Place De La Nation (28/1), and Charme De Faust (28/1). That result alone would have left many punters scratching their heads, but it was only the beginning of a day defined by underdogs and bold performances.
The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) at 2:00 PM saw Meetmebythesea (9/1) outpace Gold Dancer (25/1), Regent’s Stroll (5/1), and King Alexander (20/1). The Grade 1 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at 2:40 PM was expected to be a showcase for the prolific Wodhooh, and she delivered, justifying her 5/6 odds to take the win ahead of Jade De Grugy (2/1). Wodhooh’s consistency has made her a festival favorite, and her victory here only cements her reputation as one of the leading mares on the circuit.
But the shocks weren’t over yet! The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) at 4:00 PM was billed as a clash between last year’s winner Fact To File—whose participation was ultimately scuppered by the drying ground—and Jonbon, who was hunting a long-awaited festival victory. Instead, Heart Wood (9/2) surged to the front, holding off Jonbon (2/1) and Banbridge (3/1) to claim the honors for trainer Henry de Bromhead. With Fact To File absent, Heart Wood seized the moment, delivering a performance that will be replayed for years to come.
As the afternoon rolled on, the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) at 4:40 PM saw Supremely West (10/3) fend off Lavida Adiva (22/1) and Ikarak (40/1), proving that a touch of class can still conquer longshots. The day’s final contest, the Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase at 5:20 PM, went to Ask Brewster (22/1), with Road To Home (9/1), Monbeg Genius (18/1), and Kim Roque (9/2) rounding out the places.
Looking back at the opening two days, the surprises began early. Champion Day on Tuesday saw Old Park Star (15/8) take the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, while Lossiemouth (7/5) stormed to victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, confirming her status as a true festival champion. Wednesday—Ladies Day—continued the trend of unpredictable results, with King Rasko Grey (11/1) and Il Etait Temps (5/2) capturing the Turners Novices’ Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase, respectively. Willie Mullins’ stable has been a dominant force, with Il Etait Temps and Lossiemouth both notching major wins, though even Mullins felt the sting of unpredictability when Fact To File was withdrawn from the Ryanair Chase.
With the festival reaching fever pitch, anticipation is building for Friday’s Gold Cup Day. The race card promises even more drama, with the JCB Triumph Hurdle and the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle among the headline acts. Tickets for the final day have sold out, reflecting the event’s enduring popularity, but fans can still catch all the action live. ITV1 is broadcasting the first six races of each day, with Racing TV offering full coverage—including the nail-biting final race—via subscription. For those unable to attend, streaming options abound through official apps and select betting sites, though access may require a bet or an active account.
For festival-goers, ticket prices ranged from £54 to £103.50 for the first three days, but Gold Cup Day’s sell-out status underscores just how much the Cheltenham Festival means to racing enthusiasts. The atmosphere on course has been electric, with every race delivering its fair share of drama, heartbreak, and elation. And with one day still to go, who knows what surprises are left in store?
As the dust settles on St Patrick’s Thursday, the 2026 Cheltenham Festival has already delivered a week to remember. With shock winners, standout performances, and the promise of more to come, fans are left eagerly awaiting the Gold Cup showdown. The only certainty? At Cheltenham, expect the unexpected!