Cheltenham Festival LIVE: Latest updates, results, tips and race card on day three
Follow the latest updates live from day three at the Cheltenham Festival as St Patrick’s Day sees a number of racing’s big hitters on display with both the Ryanair Chase and Stayers’ Hurdle headlining the action.
Thursday proved another thrilling day at Cheltenham from the opening race as a photo finish was required to split Samcro and Melon in the Marsh Novices' Chase, with the former just taking the victory, before Sire De Berlais took victory in the Pertemps. Min finally delivered the Cheltenham victory that he has long deserved in the Ryanair Chase, while it was up to Lisnagar Oscar to provide the shock of the day in winning the Stayers' Hurdle at 50/1, with defending champion Paisley Park comprehensively beaten.
Concertista picked up a win in a frantic Mares' Novices Hurdle. Follow the live updates below.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of day three at the Cheltenham Festival as action continues at the Prestbury Park course despite the growing concern over the coronavirus outbreak.
Despite the government's planned COBRA meeting later today, thousands are once again expected to flock to Cheltenham to watch another seven action-packed races, with today's card set to get underway from 1:30pm.
The opening races promises to be a must-watch too, with Faugheen returning to Cheltenham to take on the likes of Samcro and Itchy Feet, while the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers' Hurdle will provide the headline action in the middle of the card.
We're treated to a real spectacle in the day's opening race as 'Faugheen the Machine' takes on another previous Cheltenham winner in Samcro, two horses who not so long ago were being tipped to contend in the Champion Chase. Yet as it is, they feature in the Grade 1 Novices' Chase in what looks a really competitive field.
It's a glorious day at Cheltenham as the Irish flood in to celebrate St Patrick's Day, and not even the coronavirus outbreak can keep the punters away as the paddock fills up with 15 minutes until the first race.
There's a lot of optimism around Annie Mc even though she's out at 20/1, compared to the favourites Faugheen (3/1), Itchy Feet (16/5) and Samcro (9/2). Trained by Jonjo O'Neill and ridden by his son of the same name, there could be real value if Annie Mc can upset the odds.
Down they go to post with the grandstand absolutely packed, and Faugheen gets a huge cheer as he flashes past with Paul Townend in the familiar pink polkadot jersey.
It's Faugheen from Poker Play and Reserve Tank, with the latter getting a great leap over the third and taking the lead. Itchy Feet makes an error at the fourth and drops to last.
Itchy Feet never looked settled there, with a mistake at the fourth followed by an unseating over the fifth. That's a lot of money gone there with the joint-favourite out.
