Cheltenham Festival 2024 LIVE: Day 3 latest including results, updates and reports as joint-favourite Grey Dawning wins first race of the day in the Turners Novices’ Chase

It’s so hard to get a winner.

Delighted for the whole team at the yard.

We work very hard, and we know how hard it is to get winners. We’ve hit the crossbar all week.

To be honest, I’ve nearly got tears in my eyes, I’m so happy.

1. Teahupoo
2. Flooring Porter
3. Home By The Lee

He was (brilliant). He’s an amazing horse, makes my job very easy. You can put him wherever you want in a race, and he jumps great. A pleasure to ride.

I wasn’t too bad (being frustrated before). The horses have been running well. But it started to get a bit annoying yesterday evening! But it’s brilliant to get off the mark.

But not strong enough, as last year’s bridesmaid battles on to move ahead on the home stretch and claim victory by some lengths.

The wait is over for Gordon Elliott – winner number 38 at the Festival.

… and takes the final hurdle with aplomb, but Flooring Porter still looks strong…

He pushes past on the inside looking to gain on Dashel Drashel as Teahupoo turns on the gas over the second last – but there’s a mistake and he loses crucial ground.

Flooring Porter looks in fine form up the hill.

After struggling over the fifth-last, but they’re still well clustered ahead of the final stretch.

Sir Gerhard is towards the back of the clumped pack as they turn the corner for their final circuit, keeping on the outside line just behind Teahupoo.

Flooring Porter continues to lead confidently.

As they round the corner and head down the hill, Flooring Porter sneaks forward into the lead before the next hurdle, romping forward on the inside line.

Janidil is our back-marker for now.

Asterion Forlonge streaks out in front after the first two hurdles, which saw Flooring Porter and Crambo both enounter minor difficulties.

The leader is tracked by Flooring Porter and Noble Yeats on the outside.

Noble Yeats starts skittishly away from the pack, and now the former Grand National winner leads along with Asterion Forlonge as the race begins.

And the horses are making their way up to the start as we speak.

After breaking a rib celebrating an earlier win in Bahrain, Sir Alex Ferguson can’t be too careful…

But after Protektorat’s romping win, there’s much to celebrate.

1. Asterion Forlonge – P W Mullins
2. Buddy One – Jack G Gilligan
3. Champ – NON-RUNNER
4. Crambo – Jonathan Burke
5. Dashel Drasher – Rex Dingle
6. Flooring Porter – Keith Donoghue
7. Home By The Lee – J. J Slevin
8. Janidil – Jody McGarvey
9. Noble Yeats – Harry Cobden
10. Paisley Park – Tom Bellamy
11. Sire Du Berlais – Mark Walsh
12. Sir Gerhard – Paul Townend
13. Teahupoo – Jack Kennedy

And five years later, he’ll hope to do the nigh-on impossible and snatch back the title five years later.

The trainer has not yet got himself on the board this week, despite not-unimpressive showings from his runners so far.

But Teahupoo represents his strongest chance of taking a showpiece Grade One thus far, after understudying to stablemate Sire Du Berlais last year. The latter also returns, and will be looking to defend his Stayers’ Hurdle crown.

There are ample opportunities for Willie Mullins to secure his 101st too, with Sir Gerhard looking to build on December success at Punchestown amid a field of similarly hearty veterans and familiar faces.

Crambo, Lizzie Kelly’s pick, is also a lively outside chance – but Paddy Power has every runner’s odds below.

• Teahupoo – 6/4
• Crambo – 6/1
• Sir Gerhard – 7/1
• Noble Yeats – 15/2
• Sire Du Berlais – 9/1
• Flooring Porter – 10/1
• Paisley Park – 16/1
• Home By The Lee – 18/1
• Dashel Drasher – 22/1
• Asterion Forlonge – 35/1
• Buddy One – 40/1
• Janidil – 40/1

After just missing out on Envoi Allen, she’s upbeat, under the circumstances.

Maybe I looked like I was holding on to more than I was. He’s run another brilliant race.

… since the sunset on Day Two.

It’s now Ireland 10-6 Great Britain, the hosts having quite stolen a march on St Patrick’s Thursday.

That’s thanks in part to the successes of the Skelton’s – Protektorat’s win makes it four in two days.

What a treat to have another showpiece race to look forward to next, with the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle getting underway in just over 20 minutes.

To make sure you’re up to speed on the contenders in what should be an enormously competitive race, have a gander at Mail Sport’s Marcus Townend’s comprehensive rundown, below.

I think it’s been 15 to 20 years, and two in 40 minutes, it’s unbelievable.

1. Protektorat
2. Envoi Allen
3. Conflated

From no wins to two consecutive ones!

Fantastic. I can’t believe it. He really deserves this.

Izzy (Protektorat’s work rider) is an absolute saint, because she puts up with this horse everyday. He’s as mad as a wasp, you’d have to have the patience of a saint.

He really deserves this. Knocked at the door in all these big races.

For a long time, me and Dan had all the belief in Izzy to ride him every day – a lot of the credit goes to her.

Rachael Blackmore put her foot on the gas, but so did Harry Skelton and Protektorat nosed through after the final fence to streak forward and claim yet another winner for the British trainers.

That’s four for the Skeltons.

Envoi Allen is on the move forward from sixth, and Stage Star’s lead is beginning to slip as Protektorat begins to stake a claim as the horses climb.

But towards the back of the pack, Fugitif is looking a little ropey and slips away from the cluster.

Climbing the hill, Protektorat maintains third place, but Banbridge is gaining good ground.

Stage Star continues to see daylight at the front, with Protektorat sitting just behind on the inside. Banbridge begins to gain ground as they pass the stands for the first time, with Envoi Allen sitting bang in the middle of the two main packs.

Nine fences left to go, and they’re all over, but Ga Law looks a little scruffy ahead of the water jump.

Closely tracked by Ahoy Senor on the outside, but they thin out after the second fence and round the corner.

Envoi Allen has slipped back to the second bunch, with Banbridge ahead by a length, while Protektorat sits in third.

Envoi Allen was looking a touch lively ahead of the start, and is quick to get away on the outside.

Before we get underway, why not relive Monmiral’s triumph?

Mail Sport’s report is below, now.

The other horses have limited interest, all ready and raring to go, tightly packed at the start.

We’ll be underway in a matter of moments.

Protektorat looks magnificent as he prepares to head out to the New Course.

1. Ahoy Senor – Derek Fox
2. Banbridge – J. J Slevin
3. Capodanno – Mark Wlash
4. Conflated – Jack Kennedy
5. Envoi Allen – Rachael Blackmore
6. Fil Dor – Keith Donoghue
7. Fugitif – Sean Bowen
8. Ga Law – Gavin Sheehan
9. Hitman – Bryony Frost
10. Protektorat – Harry Skelton
11. Stage Star – Harry Cobden

And this year’s Ryanair Chase should be simply unmissable. Envoi Allen remains the heavy favourite, with Rachael Blackmore keen to claim back-to-back honours after a middling start to 2024. It will be Envoi Allen’s fourth Festival win if he can see off stiff competition from the likes of Banbridge – only just confirmed to run, but nevertheless attracting backers.

But keep an eye on Stage Star – particularly after that Pertemps win from Paul Nicholls’ yard – the syndicate-owned Turners Novices’ Chase winner looking to build on last year’s success.

• Envoi Allen – 5/2
• Banbridge – 10/3
• Stage Star – 13/2
• Conflated – 8/1
• Capodanno – 17/2
• Protektorat – 9/1
• Ahoy Senor – 16/1
• Fugitif – 18/1
• Ga Law – 20/1
• Fil Dor – 28/1
• Hitman – 40/1

A reminder of our bumper tips feature – because who can argue with anything labelled the ‘ultimate guide’?

Have a click through, below.

1. Monmiral
2. Kyntara
3. Cuthbert Dibble
4. Bold Endeavour

That’s a first winner for Paul Nicholls this Cheltenham week.

He’s beside himself on ITV Racing, when he’s asked how it is that every sport he encounters, he succeeds.

Why not? That was fantastic. What a jockey, dearie me.

The jockey was fantastic.

But when asked if it matched winning the Champions League…

I can’t believe this horse has just won that.

I thought he should be 125/1, just shows what I know!

The blinkers have made a massive difference, I think that’s been the decider.

We take on the Irish here and the racing just goes up two notches. I’m delighted to have this one.

Kyntara just can’t cling on as Monmiral spurts forward to sneak by the post for by half-a-length, handing the British yet another winner!

That’s also our biggest priced winner of the week.

Heading uphill before the last, the long-time leader still has the lead, but Monmiral is coming through on the nearside, with Cuthbert Dibble hot on his heels.

Prairie Dancer makes a mistake before the second last and loses from pace, as Cuthbert Dibble makes his move forward now into third.

They’re journeying down the hill but the penultimate hurdle, and Monmiral streaks forward now to join the front runners.

As they prepare for the quickfire three sets of hurdles before turning to the home straight.

Icare Allen drops back a little as Flight Deck surges forward to lead ahead of Kyntara.

As they pop over the fifth set of hurdles, and move uphill with those leaders still ahead of the pack.

Le Milos is in the midpack on the outside, with Goath Chuil also on the outside track as they prepare for the final circuit.

Kyntara moves forward to lead alongside Prairie Dancer, trailed by Flight Deck, with Farouk D’alene keeping pace as they make the first turn before approaching the descent.

After an initial false start which saw the horses set to charge down the starter, who was forced to wave his flag.

But now they’re running, it’s Bold Endeavour and Prairie Dancer who lead from the off.

Plus – keep watching for the immediate good relations between warring trainers Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton. A classy touch.

1. Farouk D’alene – R James
2. Springwell Boy – NON-RUNNER
3. Flight Deck – Chris Ward
4. Chantry House – James Bowen
5. Bold Endeavour – Daryl Jacobs
6. Le Milos – Harry Skelton
7. Icare Allen – Mark Walsh
8. Gowel Road – Tom Bellamy
9. Anna Bunina – Freddie Gingell
10. Mill Grenn – Freddie Gordon
11. Cleatus Poolaw – Jack Kennedy
12. Cuthbert Dibble – Sam Twiston-Davies
13. Prairie Dancer – J. J Slevin
14. Monmiral – Harry Cobden
15. Emitom – Tom Cannon
16. Gaoth Chuil – Shane O’Callaghan
17. Hyland – Nico de Boinville
18. Hecton Javilex – Lilly Pinchin
19. Gabby’s Cross – Darragh O’Keeffe
20. Judicial Law – NON-RUNNER
21. Popova – Rachael Blackmore
22. Kyntara – Charlie Deutsch
23. Alpesh Amin – Mark McDonagh
24. Noble Birth – Conor McNamara

Yesterday’s Champion Chase winner Rachael Blackmore has her first ride of the day on Popova, but could yet see Grade One glory again later this afternoon with Envoi Allen.

You can find her thoughts on her four rides this afternoon courtesy of Betfair, below.

Another supremely open race, which could yet yield another British winner – if the hosts can dare to dream of back-to-back successes on St Patrick’s Thursday.

After three wins in less than 24 hours, it’s hard to look past Dan Skelton’s Le Milos now, but he’ll face tough competition from Dominic King’s pick from Cheltenham Confidential, Icare Allen, who could yet provide Willie Mullins with his first win of the day.

But ahead of the contest, Paddy Power has the odds in full, below.

• Cuthbert Dibble – 9/2
• Le Milos – 11/2
• Gaoth Chuil – 6/1
• Icare Allen – 13/2
• Cleatus Poolaw – 15/2
• Gabbys Cross – 8/1
• Popova – 10/1
• Kyntara – 14/1
• Farouk Dalene – 16/1
• Chantry House – 22/1
• Hyland – 22/1
• Gowel Road – 25/1
• Noble Birth – 25/1
• Anna Bunina – 28/1
• Monmiral – 28/1
• Emitom – 33/1
• Alpesh Amin – 33/1
• Mill Green – 40/1
• Prairie Dancer – 50/1
• Hector Javilex – 50/1
• Flight Deck – 80/1
• Bold Endeavour – 80/1

Surely that’s enough to convince you to check out her raft of predictions on today’s Cheltenham Confidential?

1. Grey Dawning
2. Ginny’s Destiny
3. Djelo

But the Skelton horse has his revenge!

Dan Skelton is delighted, on ITV Racing:

He’s hopefully got a big long career. Being that colour, he might get a following.

Sometimes when you’re on a horse that’s that good, you only need a Plan A.

It’s magic. Thank you Cheltenham! Thank you very much. these people make it special.

He was great today. Absolutely pinged down over the last two. He’s a very good horse.

He’s brilliant and he’s so unassuming. He doesn’t know how good he is, but hopefully he’s a bit special.

Probably the best moment of my life. Unbelievable.

A third winner for Dan Skelton, as Grey Dawning noses ahead and clings onto a febrile lead before streaking out in front and snatching victory.

It’s a British one-two-three, and a brilliant start to the afternoon for the hosts.

Towards the final fence, but Grey Dawning streaks ahead on the straight!

Ginny’s Destiny continues to lead by half a length, but battle commences between the front three approaching the third-last fence.

Grey Dawning is poking through now, and as they climb, Djelo slips away, and it’s the old foes together again!

First, all clear the water jump before tackling the open ditch, but Le Patron makes a mistake with six to go, as the front three of Ginny’s Destiny, Grey Dawning, and Djelo split from the midpack and head forward.

Over the next fence, with 11 to go, losing ground, as they make the turn to head into the final circuit.

Ginny’s Destiny remains out in front, with Grey Dawning on the inside just pitched third. Facile Vega remains in the back of the pack, alongside Letsbeclearaboutit.

Nicholls discussed how much the horse enjoys leading the pack, and he streaks forward now, almost a length ahead of Djelo, and third-placed Jamaico.

Sharjah remains the back-marker, alongside Colonel Harry.

Off go the runners for the Turners Novices’ Chase, as raindrops begin to fall at Cheltenham.

They’re led by Ginny’s Destiny and Djelo.

With a custom saddlecloth handed over by Princess Anne, this morning.

How many will he add to this year’s haul today?

As the horses make their way up to the start on today’s New Course.

… on the same course in December, and Paul Nicholls is bullish about his chances on ITV Racing.

Totally (exceeded expectations), we didn’t really know what we were dealing with. He needs to prove himself again today, but he knows the track.

He needs to improve again.

If someone else wants to go faster than him, good luck to them.

1. Colonel Harry – Gavin Sheehan
2. Djelo – Charlie Deutsch
3. Facile Vega – Paul Townend
4. Ginny’s Destiny – Harry Cobden
5. Grey Dawning – Harry Skelton
6. Iroko – Jonjo O’Neill Jr
7. Le Patron – David Noonan
8. Letsbeclearaboutit – Keith Donoghue
9. Sharjah – P W Mullins
10. Zanahiyr – Jack Kennedy
11. Jamico – Jack Tudor

Our first look at Willie Mullins’ fine prospect for the first race, the Turners Novices’ Chase.

Another Gold Cup contender – the J. J Hanlon horse that cost just £800 in 2017 – has been ruled out, a day after Nicky Henderson withdrew Shishkin.

More disappointment in the contest’s 100th year.

And compared to yesterday’s banker’s choice Ballyburn opening up the day, there’s a little more between the front-runners to consider.

Willie Mullins has the opportunity to claim his seventh win right off the mark with Facile Vega, who is preparing to step up in distance after two disappointing run-outs at Leopardstown this year, two years on from claiming the 2022 Champion Bumper.

But Grey Dawning and Ginny’s Destiny – backed by Lizzie Kelly and Dominic King respectively – should provide the talked-up prospect with stiff competition, particularly with the former coming from a newly confident Dan Skelton after his double yesterday.

But what are the bookies thinking? Paddy Power has the odds on all the runners in the 1.30pm.

• Facile Vega – 2/1
• Grey Dawning – 5/2
• Ginny’s Destiny – 5/1
• Iroko – 13/2
• Zanahiyr – 10/1
• Letsbeclearaboutit – 14/1
• Sharjah – 22/1
• Djelo – 28/1
• Colonel Harry – 40/1
• Le Patron – 100/1
• Jamaico – 125/1

The soon-to-be Champion Hurdle contender powered past the competition to kick us off in style yesterday, and this new angle following his winning run is something to behold.

Disturbingly tagged as Zara Tindall by the photo agency providing the image that seems odds-on to sear itself into my brain, Sam Allardyce brushes with royalty on his day out at Cheltenham.

Does he… know they’re there?

Cheering news for the Irish on St Patrick’s Day, woeful for the British: Ireland lead England 10-3 after Day Two, after the home side claimed two valuable wins via Dan Skelton’s double on Wednesday.

But a Grade One still eludes the hosts – can they swipe one today?

Mail Sport Dominic King has backed him – and Paul Nicholls thinks Ginny’s Destiny is his best chance of success at the Festival this afternoon.

The British trainer shares his thoughts on every runner featuring today, below.

The going was thought to have given some concern to Joseph O’Brien, but the highly fancied contender will challenge Envoi Allen for honours at 2.50pm this afternoon.

Both Dominic and Lizzie have had excellent success with their predictions – including yesterday’s winners Fact To File and Ballyburn – so why not have a watch and see what they have to say for themselves this afternoon?

In the first race, Lizzie has a hankering for Grey Dawning, while Dominic plumps for Ginny’s Destiny.

But for the rest? You’ll have to watch and see.

The trainer’s yard has been ravaged by an as-yet-unknown bug, which has put two more of Henderson’s horses out of contention for races tomorrow.

With the biggest prize pot no longer within reach the Gold Cup’s – worth £351,688, Henderson has also missed out on competing for the Champion Chase with Jonbon (£225,080), the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (£76,000) with Shanagh Bob, and the £76,000 Triumph Hurdle with favourite Sir Gino – among others.

It’s estimated this totals around £1,275,552 that the trainer could have left on the table.

Henderson’s strongest performing horse this week has been Luccia, who claimed third in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday – today, he only has Chantry House, Mill Green, Hyland, Bold Endeavour, and City Chief running.

By comparison, Willie Mullins has 11 runners.

Speaking of Envoi Allen – De Bromhead’s horse features heavily in Mail Sport’s Festival Tips ahead of Day Three.

Make sure to have a peruse as we count down towards that first race of the day in just over an hour.

The trainer exudes an air of quiet confidence as Envoi Allen prepares to pursue back-to-back Ryanair Chase wins.

He seems in great form, and he’s trying to defend his crown, so we’ll see.

Another disappointing news – major contender for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Dysart Enos has been scratched after pulling up lame, with trainer Fergal O’Brien calling her non-entry ‘a huge loss’.

It’s not serious, it’s just horrendous timing. If it had happened earlier we might have been able to do something about it, but that’s where we are.

We’ll get her right before we make any plans.

With under two hours until we get underway at Cheltenham, an overview of what we have to look forward to.

1.30pm – Turners Novices’ Chase

2.10pm – Pertemps Handicap Hurdle

3.30pm – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

4.10pm – Festival Plate Handicap

4.50pm – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

5.30pm – Kim Muir Handicap Chase

It doesn’t come without its caveats, with some questioning the horse’s dreadful build-up to this year’s race.

Luke Harvey explains below on ITV Racing.

It was a day of glittering Irish success as Willie Mullins claimed his 100th Cheltenham winner – but scrutiny into the British collapse over recent years feels more urgent than ever.

Mail Sport columnist Ed Chamberlin reviews another difficult day on home soil, below.

After opting not to field Sonigino in yesterday’s Coral Cup, Sir Alex Ferguson has arrived at Cheltenham for his first day of racing, with four good-looking prospects featuring in today’s action.

The stand-out is Ryanair Chase contender Protektorat – tipped by Matt Chapman in our Paddy Power Cheat Sheet – but the legendary Manchester United manager also has three horses with Paul Nicholls: Monmiral in the Handicap Hurdle, Hitman also in the Ryanair Chase, and Il Ridoto in the TrustATrader Plate.

Worth something each way for any Red Devils fans, surely.

After turning on the after-burners to snatch the Champion Chase in a classy field, Captain Guinness had time to pose for a photo after his race was run.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead is having an impressive Festival so far, and Envoi Allen could provide the cherry on the cake this afternoon.

Paddy Power has pulled together a raft of ace tipsters to guide you through Day Three’s action, including whether Facile Vega will come good in the Turners Novices’ Chase, and if you can bet against last year’s third-placed Teahupoo in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.

Last year’s Ryanair Chase winner Envoi Allen returns to the Festival, with Rachael Blackmore back in the saddle.

The former Gold Cup winner has had an exciting Cheltenham so far, claiming the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle to open the week on Day One, and yesterday’s Champion Chase aboard Captain Guinness. Can she make it a hat-trick of Grade One’s in three days?

That’s right – rain clouds on the horizon, in step with the soggy week the Festival has been enduring.

It could be that we see an update to the day’s going midway through the afternoon.

In case you missed it… It may not have happened as the Irish trainer imagined it, after hot favourite El Fabiolo stuttered in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, but Day Two ended with Willie Mullins’ staggering achievement.

The horse was Jasmin De Vaux, the jockey Mullins’ son Patrick – and Dominic King has the full report on an emotional day below.

Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin reassures that it has (finally) been dry overnight, and yesterday’s Soft, Heavy in places going has been updated to Soft.

We’re also back to our regularly scheduled programming after losing the Cross-Country Chase yesterday.

The trainer has endured an abysmal Festival so far, and there are no signs of an up-turn, with the yard declaring yet more non-runners.

After ruling Shishkin out of tomorrow’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, and Jonbon out of yesterday’s Champion Chase, today’s casualties are Triumph Hurdle favourite Sir Gino, and Shanagh Bob, who was due to run in the Albert Bartlett.

First up, today’s iteration of Cheltenham Breakfast, your run-down of Wednesday’s action on and off the turf, brought to you by Mail Sport’s Dominic King.

You can catch up with today’s installment of the daily bulletin below.

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of Day Three of this year’s Cheltenham Festival, devoted to this Sunday’s St Patrick’s Day.

But every day this week may well have been classed as honouring the Emerald Isle, such is the green-wash Irish trainers have been pulling off, utterly outclassing their British rivals.

Thursday is set to be an all-timer, with not one but two feature races this afternoon: The Ryanair Chase at 2.50pm, and the Stayers’ Hurdle shortly after at 3.30pm.

So strap in and enjoy, as we bring you all the news, build-up, and more ahead of every race from our 1.30pm kick-off.