As the penultimate day of action at the Cheltenham Festival, given the long history and tradition of Irish success at this extravaganza of National Hunt racing, the dedication of St Patrick's Thursday seems entirely fitting.
On Thursday 12th March the enclosures at Cheltenham Racecourse will be packed to the rafters, as racing fans enjoy the finest craic around this famous venue, at one of the most thrilling events in the British racing calendar. Amidst the sound of Irish music in the air and pints aplenty being pulled in the Guinness Village, let's not forget why everyone will be here.
The most famous and renowned Irish jockeys and trainers will be focused on victories, with seven exciting races the object of their attention during the third day of the Cheltenham Festival. With two thrilling feature races and five others to keep us entertained, let's take a look at what St Patrick's Day Thursday will bring this year at the Festival.
Stayers' Hurdle
One of the oldest races at the Cheltenham Festival, the inaugural running of the Stayers' Hurdle took place in 1912 on the original Prestbury Park course, with £100 for the winner and £10 for the runner-up. Amusingly, this race was originally known as the “Stayers Selling Hurdle” because back then, the winning horse was traditionally sold for £50 after the race was finished. Given the value of thoroughbreds to their owners these days, obviously, that's a tradition no longer remains.
While the course distance and format of the race has changed over the years, the modern-day Stayers' Hurdle is regarded as the foremost long-distance hurdle event in National Hunt racing. Run over 2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards, with 12 hurdles to be jumped as competitors make their way around the challenging course, this race has become the feature event on the third day at the Cheltenham Festival, offering a £325,000 purse and over £182,000 for the winner.
Famed for the high frequency of multiple winners throughout the 20th century, the arrival of the 21st century has brought yet more during the last two decades. Baracouda completed a double in 2002 and 2003, which Inglis Drever matched in 2007 and 2008, having already won once before in 2005. However, greatest achievement in the Stayers' Hurdle is held by Big Buck's trained by Paul Nicholls, with four consecutive victories between 2009 and 2012 in partnership with iconic Irish jockey, Ruby Walsh.
Although no other horse has come close to matching that feat since, there are great expectations for 2019 winner Paisley Park, which has won every race started since October 2018. Despite another strong field of runners this year, Paisley Park dominates the Cheltenham day 3 tips as the outright favourite to secure back-to-back victories.
Ryanair Chase
First introduced as the Festival Trophy in 2005, this race was initially a Grade 2 before being upgraded to Grade 1 in 2008 and thanks to the lucrative sponsorship deal, not to mention the £350,000 purse, it's now more commonly known as the Ryanair Chase. Open to horses aged five years or older, this race is run over 2 miles 4 furlongs and 127 yards on the New Course at Cheltenham, with 17 fences to negotiate.
History was made in 2019 when Frodon romped past the finishing post with Bryony Frost in the saddle, as she became the first ever female jockey to win a Grade 1 chase at the Cheltenham Festival. This victory also made Paul Nicholls the leading trainer in the Ryanair Chase with a total of three winners since the first running, including the inaugural race with Thisthatandtother in 2005 and Taranis in 2006.
Competing in the Ryanair Chase again in 2020, the partnership of Frodon and Frost will be looking to secure a second consecutive victory in this race, which is a feat only achieved once before by Albertas Run in 2010 and 2011. However, the early favourites this year are Min trained by Willie Mullins and A Plus Tard trained by Henry de Bromhead, with the Irish contingent keen to regain their dominance in this popular race.
Best of the Rest
While the two races already mentioned will undoubtedly grab the most attention during the third day of action at the Cheltenham Festival, there's plenty more racing to keep enthusiasts entertained during the St Patrick's Thursday schedule.
The action starts with another Grade 1 race and Faugheen strongly tipped for the Marsh Novice's Chase, although there's a strong field that includes Mister Fisher, Allaho and Itchy Feet in the mix. After romping home in first last year, Sire Du Berlais will be eager to secure back-to-back wins in the Pertemps Network Final, a Grade 3 hurdle with many famous winners over the years.
Glenloe is the main focus of early betting for the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate, although as Siruh du Lac proved last year, the favourite isn't always the first past the post in this Grade 3 race. The penultimate race of the day is the Grade 2 Mares Novices' Hurdle with Dolcita attracting plenty of interest, as fillies and mares thunder around the New Course
Completing the St Patrick's Thursday schedule at Cheltenham, Jerrysback will be the one to watch in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase, an ungraded amateur steeplechase to bring an unpredictably exciting conclusion to the day. Whatever the outcome of the races, we'll all be hoping the luck of the Irish is with us throughout this thrilling day at the Festival.
