Lucky Leon's Cheltenham Festival Tips: Day 3
Your No-Nonsense Guide to St. Patrick's Thursday
Day 2 is done. Now we're into St. Patrick's Thursday — the most atmospheric day of the entire Festival. The Cheltenham roar gets louder, the green gets greener, and the racing gets better. Four Grade 1s on the card, a full house expected, and four bets I've worked hard to nail down.
Lock them in. Let's go.
How Did Leon Do on Day 2?
We think Lucky Leon was distracted at Ladies' Day, Wednesday — the Festival has a habit of humbling even the most confident tipster. Here's how we landed:
Race 1 — I'll Sort That: Ran with promise at a big price but didn't get home on the day.
Race 2 — Final Demand: Just failed to catch the leader.
Race 3 — Kateira: Ground moved slightly against us. Ran but couldn't get competitive.
Race 5 — Majborough: Our banker of the day. Went down fighting
Day 2: Based on $10 per selection stake, we are down $60 on the week…. So far.
🏆 Race 4, # 9 Win and Place
Kabral Du Mathan — Stayers' Hurdle (Race 1 / 11:20 AM ET)
What is this race?
The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle is three miles of pure stamina. This is the championship race for the staying hurdlers — horses who grind, stay, and find reserves others don't have. The race has produced legends. It rewards the horse who saves everything for the last half mile.
Why Kabral Du Mathan?
This horse has been trained specifically for this moment. He's a hold-up horse who loves to be dropped in, conserve energy, and pick them off in the straight. Three miles at Cheltenham suits him perfectly. Connections have been pointing at this race all season.
The market isn't going crazy about him, which is exactly why we're interested. At current odds, he represents genuine value in a race that regularly throws up a decent price winner. Our man on the ground likes him in the win and place markets.
Lucky Leon says: Back Kabral Du Mathan win and place.
🏆 Race 5 #3 Win
Fact To File — (Race 5 / 12:00 noon ET)
What is this race?
It's become one of the most competitive Grade 1s of the week, attracting horses who are too good for the two-mile division and too sharp for the staying chasers. The winner is typically a high-class, versatile chaser at the top of his game.
Why Fact To File?
Fact To File is trained by top Irish trainer Willie Mullins and is one of the most exciting chasers in training. He's a horse who travels powerfully through his races and jumps with authority — two qualities you need at Cheltenham. His form figures this season read like a horse who has been building to this.
Lucky Leon says: Back Fact To File to win.
🏆 Race 2 # 10 Win and Place
Jordan's Cross — (Race 2 / 10:00am ET)
What is this race?
Three miles for novice hurdlers — the stamina test of the novice hurdling division. It's run on the New Course, it's brutally demanding, and it regularly produces future Gold Cup horses. Past winners have gone on to become superstars over fences. This is a race that finds out who has genuine staying ability and who was just pretending.
Why Jordan's Cross?
Jordan's Cross has been progressive all season. He stays well, he jumps cleanly, and he's given the impression in his recent runs that he's been waiting for a bigger test. Three miles at Cheltenham should unlock something extra in this horse.
Lucky Leon says: Back Jordan's Cross win and place.
🏆 Leon's Longshot — Race 6 # 18 Win and Place
Champagne Chic — Pertemps Network Final (Race 6 / 12:40 AM ET)
Every day at Cheltenham deserves a longshot. The Festival is built on stories of horses who had no right to win — and did. Champagne Chic is today's dart — running in the Pertemps Network Final, the staying hurdle handicap that always throws up a big-priced winner.
Is she certain to win? No. Is she capable of hitting the frame at a price that makes the bet worthwhile? Absolutely. That's the Cheltenham longshot formula, and Champagne Chic fits it today.
Lucky Leon says: Small win and place on Champagne Chic. , then pop the cork and enjoy the bubbles…
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Leon's Day 3 Top Tips
Race 4 # 9 Win and Show (11.20 AM ET) — Jordan's Cross
Race 5 # 3 Win (12.00 noon ) — Kabral Du Mathan
Race 2 # 10 Win & Show (10:00 AM ET) — Fact To File
Race 6 # 18 Win and Show (12:40 AM ET) — Champagne Chic (Longshot)
Two days to go. We'll be tracking every race right here at MyWinners all week long.
Bet smart, back your picks, and enjoy the ride.
— Lucky Leo
MyWinners | Man on the Turf
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What is St. Patrick's Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival?
St. Patrick's Thursday is the third day of the four-day Cheltenham Festival. It features some of the most competitive racing of the week, including the Stayers' Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase, and is celebrated for its electric atmosphere as the largest Irish contingent of racegoers fills the stands.
What is the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham?
The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle is a Grade 1 race run over three miles at the Cheltenham Festival. It is the championship race for staying hurdlers and one of the most prestigious hurdle races in the world. It rewards horses with stamina, rhythm, and the ability to find extra reserves in the final half mile.
What is the Ryanair Chase?
he Ryanair Chase is a Grade 1 two-and-a-half-mile chase run on St. Patrick's Thursday. It attracts horses who are too sharp for the Gold Cup but too strong for the two-mile Champion Chase, making it one of the most competitive and open Grade 1s of the Festival.
What is the Pertemps Network Final?
The Pertemps Network Final is a Premier Handicap hurdle run over three miles on St. Patrick's Thursday. Horses must qualify through a series of races throughout the season to be eligible. It regularly attracts a large field and has a strong history of throwing up big-priced winners — which is exactly why it's Leon's longshot race of the day.
Cover photo by Steven Jones / CC BY 2.0
