There was excitement all around as the Cheltenham Festival's third day kicked off on St. Patrick's Thursday, March 13, 2025. The much-anticipated lineup of events featured two main attractions: the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase, captivating the audience with some of the best talent from the horse racing world.
The day's festivities began at 1:20 PM with the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, which set the stage for six more thrilling races throughout the afternoon. A crisp reminder of the day’s competitive spirit was the showdown between 2023 champion Teahupoo, defending his title and aiming to win once more, and Protektorat, co-owned by Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, who was set to contend for the Ryanair Chase title.
Among the notable highlights of the day, the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle would see Teahupoo going head-to-head against formidable challengers like The Wallpark and Lucky Place. With the competition heating up, all eyes were on Teahupoo, who had pre-race odds of 6/4 to defend his crown successfully.
Aside from the star-studded line-up, racing pundits weighed in on their thoughts during the event, offering valuable insights on the horses to watch. Legendary racing figure Ruby Walsh shared his insights, backing Teahupoo confidently to continue his winning streak, citing the horse’s fresh state and special training regimen prepared by Gordon Elliott. “I can’t find the one to beat Teahupoo,” he stated, emphasizing the horse’s strength and stamina, particularly on the course’s conditions.
The day would be chronicled through the presence of 65,000 enthusiastic attendees at Cheltenham, all united by the thrill of horse racing. The performances were streamed live on ITV1 starting at 12:45 PM, with viewers likely captivated and cheering from afar.
The opening race, Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle, featured Sixandahalf as the runner many had their stake on, powered by fellow competitors including the well-regarded Galileo Dame. It was noted by pundits, including expert Charlie Brooks, who pointed to the mare's impressive second-place finishes leading up to the event, and echoed the sentiment of other experts who anticipated competitive performances.
Following this, the Jack Richards Novices' Chase boasted runners such as Firefox and Springwell Bay, both of whom are known for excelling at the track. The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle attracted attention, with D Art D Art poised as potentially dangerous to the favorites.
By the time the Ryanair Chase took center stage at 3:20 PM, anticipation was palpable. The chase featured horses like Jungle Boogie and Fact To File, both promising to deliver nail-biting action. Jungle Boogie, noted for performing well previously, aimed for redemption after last year’s Gold Cup where stamina played against him.
“This is the hardest day I think,” Ruby Walsh commented prior to the event, expressing how the Ryanair’s challenges make it special. Favorite Fact To File had odds of 5/4, drawing broad interest from inside and outside the racing community, with lively odds reflecting highly on his past performances.
Of course, at the center of Thursday's racing drama remained the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle. The race would gather all major competitors as Teahupoo sought to maintain his grip on the challenging track. With the final race of the day, the Kimmuir Challenge Cup, slotted for 5:20 PM, it would truly be about stamina and resilience, with horses like Johnnywho eying for victory.
From watching pundits race through their analyses and judging horses from previous performances, it was clear: for both seasoned gamblers and evergreen fans alike, there was no shortage of excitement brewing on this delectable day. Besides the betting tips pouring from established racing outlets, participants prepared to place their bets through the innovative portals of major online betting firms.
Despite predictions and knowledge accumulated through the previous races, unpredictability remained part of the experience. With racing seasons notorious for surprises, the certainty of each horse’s performance lent itself to adrenaline-fueled engagement among the racing lovers. Just like Ruby Walsh stated, it remains one of the most challenging days and, with big surprises yet to surface, notions on who may take the win remain varied.
So, with cheers echoing and the scent of success flaring around Forward Park, punters, enthusiasts, and competitors alike braced for the best of what Cheltenham 2025 had to offer. “My head tells me one thing, but my heart always seems to have its own ideas,” echoed voices among seasoned fans, uniquely mingling within this culture of racing charm.