St Patrick’s Thursday brings one of the Cheltenham Festival’s most raucous days, with Irish flags waving, huge crowds, and two blockbuster Grade 1s: the Ryanair Chase and Stayers’ Hurdle.
Ground forecast is good to soft – ideal for most contenders – so smart punters are getting stuck in before final declarations tighten prices.
I’ve reviewed the freshest odds, recent gallops, trainer updates, sectional data, and yard form to deliver my sharpest plays across the full seven-race card.
Cheltenham Thursday Ante-Post Betting Tips – St Patrick’s Thursday
- Bambino Fever @ 2/1 (NRNB)
- Regents Stroll @ 7/1
- Lossiemouth @ Evens
- Teahupoo @ 3/1
- Fact To File @ 2/1
- Supremely West @ 7/2
- Jeriko Du Reponet @ 4/1
Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (13:20)
- Best Bet: Bambino Fever @ 2/1 (NRNB)
- Each-Way Alternative: St Irene @ 25/1+
Bambino Fever stands out as the season’s standout mare novice, showcasing explosive finishing speed few can match.
Her jumping has sharpened dramatically, and the stiff Cheltenham climb plays to her strengths.
Market leader for good reason – connections are confident, and recent reports suggest she’s thriving.
At around 2/1, she’s one of the week’s more reliable propositions.
For bigger value, St Irene’s each-way claims at 25/1+ make sense in an open renewal – progressive form and upside.
Bambino Fever edges it as the win pick.
Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (14:00)
- Each-Way Play: Regents Stroll @ 7/1
This novice handicap chase rewards unexposed types with strong travelling ability.
Regents Stroll fits the bill perfectly: lightly raced over fences, a bold jumper, and clearly progressive.
Laid out for this test, he’s ahead of the handicapper and suits the 2m4f trip.
At 7/1–8/1 each-way, he offers superb value against short favourites who may lack experience.
Dan Skelton or similar in-form yards add confidence – a strong contender for a big Thursday payout.
Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (14:40)
- Best Bet: Lossiemouth @ Evens
If Willie Mullins keeps Lossiemouth out of the Champion Hurdle, she becomes a near-banker in the Mares’ Hurdle.
Class above her own sex, with tactical speed, proven Cheltenham form, and a masterful tactical display last year.
She’s the one to beat on her day.
Yet at short prices, cover with Brighterdaysahead at 16/1 each-way – quirky but talented, with upside if she clicks.
Lossiemouth is the win focus if confirmed; monitor declarations closely.
Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (15:20)
- Best Bet: Teahupoo @ 3/1
Teahupoo remains the king of staying hurdles – dominant last year, freshened up perfectly by Gordon Elliott, and thrives on the three-mile test. Course-proven and no signs of regression, he’s tough to oppose when fresh.
Honesty Policy and others threaten, but Teahupoo’s profile screams repeat winner. Pair with each-way on Bob Olinger for insurance in what could be another Irish 1-2. One of the strongest Festival bets.
Ryanair Chase Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (16:00)
- Best Bet: Fact To File @ 2/1
- Value Alternative: Banbridge @ 8/1 each-way
Fact To File dominates the Ryanair market – immense engine, ideal 2m4f trip, handy speed plus stamina to power up the hill.
Unless switched to Gold Cup late, he’s the Thursday highlight winner.
At current odds, he’s value against the field.
For each-way appeal, Banbridge at 8/1 offers cracking claims – progressive, bold jumper, and suited to the intermediate distance.
A tactical thriller in prospect.
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (16:40)
- Each-Way Play: Supremely West @ 7/2
Big-field staying handicaps like the Pertemps reward strong finishers with Festival targeting.
Supremely West caught the eye in qualifiers – finished powerfully, has scope for the step up, and connections have this as the plan.
At double figures with enhanced places, he’s excellent each-way value in a race notorious for big shocks. One to load up on.
Kim Muir Challenge Cup Ante Post Betting Tips 2026 (17:20)
Each-Way Play: Jeriko Du Reponet @ 4/1
The amateur riders’ stamina test demands class and jumping ability.
Jeriko Du Reponet brings top-level novice hurdle form to fences, with natural talent often absent in this grade.
A clear round could see him dominate.
At 10/1+, he’s a solid each-way proposition – ideal for the marathon finale.
Thursday Cheltenham Ante-Post Acca 2026
For a high-reward acca on St Patrick’s Thursday:
• Bambino Fever (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) win
• Teahupoo (Stayers’ Hurdle) win
• Fact To File (Ryanair Chase) win
• Supremely West (Pertemps) each-way
Combined odds around 30/1 – 40/1 across major firms. Nail this and Thursday becomes legendary.
Why Ante-Post Betting on Thursday Cheltenham Festival 2026?
Ante-post secures bigger odds before on-day money compresses favourites, and NRNB protection covers non-runners.
St Patrick’s Thursday features races with heavy market movement historically, while handicaps often boast enhanced places (1/4 odds, 5-6 places).
With Irish dominance expected and the atmosphere electric, locking in now is key.
Final Thoughts & Smart Cheltenham Betting Advice for St Patrick’s Thursday 2026
St Patrick’s Thursday 2026 promises Irish dominance, drama, and massive crowds. Ante-post with NRNB is still sharp – shop Betfair Exchange for prices, Sky Bet/Paddy Power for handicap places.
Key tips: watch ground updates, prioritise each-way in big fields, and confirm routes for multi-entered horses like Lossiemouth. The roar on Thursday 12 March will be unforgettable – bet early, enjoy the craic, and may the luck of the Irish (and your selections) be with you.
