Cheltenham festival day three: Rachael Blackmore double as Fact To File wins Ryanair Chase – as it happened

2.00 JACK RICHARDS NOVICE LIMITED HANDICAP CHASE, 2M 4F 127YD

A race that reverts back to handicap status after 10 years as a level-weights contest, including most recently as a Grade One. The switch has definitely had the desired effect on the field size, as 20 are due to go to post after meagre turnouts of eight, four, seven and 11 in the last four years as a Grade One, but the flip-side for punters is that while four of the last five winners were at single-figure odds, there is much more chance of an upset today. Gordon Elliott’s Firefox, who has raced in Grade One company in two of his last three starts, has emerged from the pack as the likely favourite, but he is giving weight to every runner bar Springwell Bay, a winner over course and distance at the New Year’s Day meeting. Caldwell Potter is another interesting runner, not least as a result of his price tag - £632,000 – when he was bought by a syndicate including Sir Alex Ferguson and the late John Hales at a major dispersal sale in Ireland in February 2024. He has been the beaten favourite on his last two starts but makes his handicap debut on what could yet prove to be a decent mark. Elsewhere in the field, Ireland is well represented and Terence O’Brien’s Answer To Kayf is one that caught my eye. He was a very impressive winner of his handicap debut at Naas in January, and while that race was on heavy ground, he has enough form on a sounder surface to suggest that today’s going will not be an issue.

Topics

Blackmore wins on Bob Olinger for Cheltenham double

Rachael Blackmore wins the Stayers' Hurdle aboard Bob Olinger to complete a Cheltenham Festival double on Thursday.
BBC News - 22h
Cheltenham festival: Marine Nationale lands poignant win on day two – as it happened

It was an emotional afternoon as Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty – winners for late jockey Michael O’Sullivan in 2023 – both won again at Cheltenham. Preview: 2.40 The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle , ...
The Guardian - 1d
Cheltenham festival day three tips: Il Est Francais can score for French

Ryanair runner has a big chance to become only the second winner at the festival from across the Channel since 2005. While the Gold Cup on Friday revolves around the odds-on Galopin Des Champs and ...
The Guardian - 2d
It's Gold Cup day. Who can stop Galopin Des Champs completing hat-trick of wins?

Galopin Des Champs bids to become only the fifth horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times on Friday at the Festival.
BBC News - 1d
Poignant Cheltenham double dedicated to late jockey

Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty both claimed emotional wins at the Cheltenham Festival two years after winning here for jockey Michael O'Sullivan, who died in a fall last month.
BBC News - 2d
‘That’s for Michael’: Marine Nationale leads poignant day at Cheltenham

Jockey O’Sullivan’s double from 2023 repeated at festival Jazzy Matty completes emotional second day at meeting At the moment of his greatest racing triumph, after a lifetime in the sport as a ...
The Guardian - 1d
Cheltenham festival day one tips: Brighterdaysahead can upset Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle

The favourite has seen off every challenge in all his races, but could be facing his sternest opponent so far. Constitution Hill has seen off every challenge with ease in winning all 10 of his ...
The Guardian - 4d
Cheltenham festival 2025: Constitution Hill and State Man fall as Golden Ace wins Champion Hurdle – live

Lossiemouth streaks home, Majborough shocked Greg Wood’s day two tips | And you can email Niall 1.20 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: Oddspedia market movers. Kopek Des Bordes (1/1 into 4/5) ...
The Guardian - 2d
Mullins' Cheltenham four-timer led by 100-1 Poniros

Poniros stuns a capacity crowd on Cheltenham Gold Cup day with a 100-1 win in the Triumph Hurdle for trainer Willie Mullins.
BBC News - 51m

More from The Guardian

US talks with Putin about Ukraine ‘very good and productive’, Trump says

US president also repeats refuted Putin claim that Ukrainian troops in Kursk are surrounded by Russian army. Russia-Ukraine war – latest news updates Donald Trump has said the US had “very ...
The Guardian - 45m
Hamas says it will free Israeli-US hostage in potential breakthrough in ceasefire talks

Soldier Edan Alexander could be released along with remains of four other Israeli-US nationals, but unclear what Hamas will ask for in return. Hamas has said it is ready to free an Israeli-US ...
The Guardian - 2h
Mark Carney sworn in as Canadian prime minister amid US trade war

Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor becomes 24th PM and expected to call election soon. Mark Carney has been sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister, capping a sudden rise to power ...
The Guardian - 34m
Mahmoud Khalil ‘felt as though he was being kidnapped’, lawyers say

Lawyers demand in updated lawsuit that Columbia University graduate be released from custody. Mahmoud Khalil felt as though he was being kidnapped when he was handcuffed and shackled and rushed ...
The Guardian - 50m
Schumer warns of Doge’s ‘maximum destruction’ if government shuts down amid Democratic divide on spending bill – live

At least eight Senate Democrats need to vote with Republicans to advance bill ahead of midnight deadline to fund government. Chuck Schumer to vote for Republican funding bill to avert ...
The Guardian - 29m

More in World

Cheltenham festival: Galopin Des Champs aims to make history in Gold Cup – live

Big race off at 4pm GMT; Poniros lands Triumph Hurdle Day four tips | Email John with your thoughtsh 1.20 Triumph Hurdle odds . Odds via Oddschecker . East India Dock 6/4. Lulamba 5/2. ...
The Guardian - 23m
There can be no ‘Israel exception’ for free speech | Kenneth Roth

Trump should reverse his misguided effort to deport Mahmoud Khalil. The Trump administration’s threatened deportation of Mahmoud Khalil seems to reflect a dangerous disregard for freedom of ...
The Guardian - 28m
‘A computer’s joke, on us’: writers respond to the short story written by AI

Sam Altman, the OpenAI boss, has declared its new model ‘good at creative writing’. We asked writers including Tracy Chevalier, Kamila Shamsie and David Baddiel if they agree. This week has seen ...
The Guardian - 28m
Schumer warns of Doge’s ‘maximum destruction’ if government shuts down amid Democratic divide on spending bill – live

At least eight Senate Democrats need to vote with Republicans to advance bill ahead of midnight deadline to fund government. Chuck Schumer to vote for Republican funding bill to avert ...
The Guardian - 29m
Tuchel wants an England ‘brotherhood’ as Rashford and Henderson return: football – live

Burn, Henderson and Quansah in Tuchel’s first squad Get in touch: you can ">email Barry with your thoughts Thomas Tuchel’s England squad: There are a few conspicuous absentees from Tuchel’s ...
The Guardian - 31m