One of the most hotly anticipated race meetings in the UK and Irish racing each year is the Cheltenham Festival. Taking place over four days in mid-March, it brings together the best jockeys, horses and trainers to compete. With so much talent on show, all four days always keep race fans thoroughly entertained.

Of course, each day of the Festival has its own attractions and Day 3 is no exception. With so much going on, it is a good idea to pinpoint the major races on Day 3 which you should watch. This will also help any punters betting at Cheltenham, as they will be sure to catch the best races on which to place their bets. To get the most from the betting at the Festival, why not let the Cheltenham Festival tipster site help, with the best Cheltenham tips Day 3 on offer? This site is made up of expert horse racing fans who delve deep into the major races on Day 3 to analyse which of the horses have the best chance of success.

But which main races should you be keeping an eye out for?

Ryanair Steeplechase

During Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival, there are normally two grade one races to enjoy. The first is the Ryanair Steeplechase, which is usually run in the mid-afternoon. Notable previous winners of this race include Albertas Run (twice), Imperial Commander and Cue Card. This race is one that fans can count on for plenty of thrills and action as you would expect. It was originally created in 2005 and allows horses that can run further than the two miles which the Champion Chase offers but not as far as the three and a quarter-mile long Gold Cup.

The Stayers’ Hurdle

The other grade one race on Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival is The Stayers’ Hurdle. Previously known as the World Hurdle, this normally starts around 3.30 pm and is run over three miles. As you would expect, it attracts a lot of interest from fans and showcases some of the best horses around in UK racing. This is another race that has seen many famous winners in the past – from 2019’s victor Paisley Park to Baracouda and Inglis Drever. Of course, all racing fans will also remember the Paul Nicholls trained Big Buck, that won this race four times straight between 2009 and 2012. The standard of the field and the distance involved makes this a true test for both horse and jockey. If nothing else, the distance of just over three miles is a real test of stamina for both!

Festival Plate

While the grade one races above takes a lot of headlines on Day 3, there is plenty of other action to look out for. The Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle is always a competitive affair and many will look at this race as a useful betting opportunity. It is also ultra-competitive and is normally one of the best races seen at the Festival each year.

Starting after the Stayers’ Hurdle the drama unfolds for just over two and a half miles. For those who like to bet during the Festival itself, this is also a race with lots to offer. The sheer number of class horses to back means plenty of choices when considering where to put your money. Past winners include Simply the Betts in 2020, Young Spartacus in 2003 and Holmwood Legend in 2011. Although the race can be known by various names each year (depending on who sponsors it), most racegoers refer to it as the Festival Plate.

Day 3 of Cheltenham is always exciting

As every horse racing fan knows, the Cheltenham Festival delivers bags of excitement and drama. It is a truly iconic event and has a special place in the hearts of racing fans. While each of the four days of the Cheltenham meeting offers unique races to enjoy, Day 3 is usually outstanding. With so many top races to keep an eye on, it is a day that most Cheltenham punters particularly look forward too. When you put this together with the rest of the action over the whole Festival, race fans always enjoy a real treat with the best horses and jockeys competing for the prizes.