Cheltenham Day 3, St Patrick’s Day, is full of festivities, fun, and fantastic racing entertainment. It is the only day of the festival that two feature races take place, offering fans and bettors lots of opportunities to enjoy!

In the build-up to the day and the feature races, many free bet offers are up for grabs to add to the excitement! To learn everything you need to know, including how to claim your Cheltenham Day 3 free bets, what’s happening on the day, top betting tips, how to watch along live, and more, keep reading below!

Top Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Betting Offers

1. Betway - £30 Matched Free Bet if your First Acca Loses

2. Bet365 - Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

bet365 T&Cs: Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. 

3. Copybet - Bet £20 Get £60 in Free Bets

4. Spreadex - Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets

5. William Hill - Bet £10 Get £60 in Free Bets

6. Sky Bet - £40 in Free Bets When You Place Any Bet

7. Ladbrokes - Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets

8. Tote - Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses

9. Netbet - Bet £10 Get £10 + 65 Free Spins

10. Betano - Bet £10 Get £30 in Bonuses

11. Fitzdares - Bet £50 Get £25 in Free Bets

12. Coral - Get £5 Get £20 in Free Bets

13. Midnite - Bet £10 Get £20 + 50 Free Spins

14. Paddy Power - Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets

15. BetMGM - Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets

16. Betrino - Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

17. NRG - Bet £10 Get £10 in Free Bets

18. Unibet - Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses

18+ Gambling Can Be Addictive. Please Play Responsibly. Registration Required GambleAware GamStop Gambling Commission.

DISCLAIMER: All the offers displayed in this article are correct as of the day of publishing and are subject to change without notice. The offer terms and conditions are displayed at the bottom of the page.

How To Claim Cheltenham Free Bets for The Ryanair Steeple Chase & The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle 

It is super easy to claim free bets ready for Cheltenham Day 3 and both of the feature races. To get yours follow our step-by-step guide below and you will ready to go in no time!

1. Choose the Cheltenham Day 3 betting offer you wish to claim from the list above.

2. Click on the offer to be taken to the betting site and sign-up page.

3. Complete the registration form, entering all of your details including your full name, email address, date of birth and phone number.

4. Create your unique username and password combination to become your log in details.

5. Sign into your account and complete any required account verifications.

6. Once complete, make your first deposit into your account, ensuring it meets any requirements set out in the terms and conditions of the promotion.

7. Once complete, go ahead and place your first bet on The Ryanair Steeple Chase or The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.

8. Wait for your bet to settle to receive your free bets into your account!

For more detailed instructions on how to sign up for a new bookmaker and place bets on Cheltenham, head over to our guide by clicking this link.

Cheltenham Day 3 Race Schedule

Cheltenham Day 3 sees 2 feature races take place from the days 7 making for non-stop entertainment. For all the details ahead of the festival, check out the schedule below.

Day 3: St Patrick's Thursday - Thursday 13 March

• 13:20 - The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)

• 14:00 - The Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase

• 14:40 - The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) (Premier Handicap)

• 15:20 - The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1)

• 16:00 - The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

• 16:40 - The TrustATrader Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap)

• 17:20 - The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Sponsored by The JRL Group) Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145)

What are the Feature Races for Day 3?

There is lots of exciting action coming up on Cheltenham Day 3, including 2 feature races! We have highlighted the 3 ones to watch and a little about them below.

The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1)

The first of two Grade 1 races on St Patrick’s Thursday, this is run over 3 miles on the New Course. It is a race for five-year-olds and over, having been upgraded from a Grade 2 to a Grade 1 in 2008. It is the perfect middle man for those who can compete in the Queen Mother Champion Chase but are not quite up to the challenge of The Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 2024 winner was Protektorat ridden by Harry Skelton and trained by Dan Skelton.

The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

The second Grade 1 race on Day 3 is described as one of the most prestigious distance races of the season. It consists of 12 flights to be jumped alongside small obstacles and is run over 3 miles on the New Course. It has been a part of the Festival since 1972 and has some famous names on its roll of honour. Last year’s race saw Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo cross the line first. 

The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) (Premier Handicap)

One of the big betting races of the festival, this one is run over 3 miles and recently shifted from the Old Course to the New Course. It was promoted to Grade 3 in 2018 and then to a Premier Handicap in 2020. The 2024 edition saw Sir Alex Ferguson’s horse, Monmiral, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by jockey Harry Cobden, take the win. 

Top Tips for Using Cheltenham Free Bets on Day 3 and The Ryanair Steeple Chase & The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

To help you get the most out of your Cheltenham free bets on Day 3, we have provided some of our top tips below!

Research horses, jockey’s and trainers - Take the time to do some digging into the horses that are running in the races. Check out their recent form and results from races they have run in this season. Where did they finish, and did they win? If not, how far away from the win were they? Also, look into the jockeys and trainers who are riding the horses. Look for standout partnerships and successful trainers for hints on how the race may go.

Spread your bets - The best way to use your Cheltenham free bets is to avoid placing them all on the same bet. Placing them across several different wagers allows you to get more involved with the day's races and creates more excitement. It also increases your chances of one of your bets winning if you place wagers on 4, 5, or 6 of the day 7 races as opposed to 1.

Race conditions - Check out the conditions ahead of the race, also referred to as ‘The Going’. This includes weather and track conditions, two factors that can massively impact a horse's performance. In British racing, ‘The Going’ can vary from Heavy – Soft – Good to Soft – Good – Good to Firm – Firm.

Cheltenham Live Streaming

Horse racing fans and punters in the UK are able to watch all of the action live from Cheltenham throughout the four days.

On regular TV channels, viewers can watch live on ITV all four days, showing 24 of the 28 races. That is six races each day, an extra four than were shown at last year’s Cheltenham Festival! There are also all 7 of the races each day shown live on RacingTV for viewers.

The races will also be shown by various different betting platforms via their exclusive live streams. In order to access Cheltenham live streams, you must sign up with a betting site and make a deposit into your account, placing a bet on the race or the day of the festival you wish to watch.

Responsible Gambling

One thing to always keep in mind when using any betting sites is to always practice responsible gambling. This includes doing things such as setting budgets so you know how much you can afford to spend. All of the top betting sites will offer responsible gambling tools for players to apply to their account, including deposit limits to prevent spending over a set limit, time limits, and self-exclusion tools to close your account for longer periods of time so you are unable to access it. For further peace of mind, there are plenty of responsible gambling helplines and charities available to contact should you or anyone you know become concerned regarding gambling habits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Cheltenham free bets for Day 3's feature races?

The best free bets and betting offers to use for the Day 3 features races come from Betway, bet365, Copybet, Spreadex and William Hill, but we recommend checking out the lost above for the full list of top Cheltenham bookmakers.

Are feature race free bets different from general Day 3 offers?

Feature race free bets will be for use on the day’s feature race(s) only.

Can I use free bets on multiple Day 3 feature races?

Customers will be able to use their Cheltenham free bets across multiple different races taking place on the day.

What happens if I lose a free bet on a feature race?

Depending on the promotion terms and conditions, if you lose your free bets, they may be issued back to you as another free bet that you can use again.

Are feature race free bets only for new customers?

Free bets for both new and existing customers are available at Cheltenham betting sites.

Offer T&Cs:

Betway: *New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply.

Bet365: Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. 

Copybet: Full T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. The qualifying bet should be either a Single or Acca (2+ selections) bet, start at £20, have 1.9 or greater odds and must be settled within 7 days of opt-in. 3 Free bets include: 1 x £20 Free bet Racing (Horse Racing or Greyhound Racing); 1 x £20 Free Bet Live Football; 1 x £20 Free Bet Live. Max payout – £500. 7-day expiry. To unlock the offer, complete the first deposit via the banking app (Open banking). 18+. GambleAware

Spreadex: Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. Place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 2 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 4 x £5 free spread bets + £1 Race Index spread bet.

William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. New players using T60 code. Online only. Get £60 bonus split as follows: (i) Deposit £10. Get a £20 Vegas Bonus on selected games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); “(ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, get 4x£10 sports free bets (valid 7 days, excl. virtual sports). Payment & country restrictions & full T&Cs apply. #ad

Sky Bet: NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 4 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. FREE BETS EXPIRE AFTER 30 DAYS. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+. GAMBLEAWARE.ORG

Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

Netbet: New players only. Bet £10 min. odds 1/1 (2.00). No cash-out. Free Bet available on Bet Builder. 25 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash, each valued at 10p without wagering requirement. 10 Free Spins daily on Big Bass Day at the races, each valued at 10p without wagering requirement. Credited within 24 hours. Valid for 7 days. Bet £20 or more at min. odds 2.00 (EVS). Only bets on the ITV races will count. Terms apply.

Betano: 18+ New Customers Only. Opt in, bet £10 on sports (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of signing up. Get 2x£10 Free Bets for set markets, and a £10 Slot Bonus for Big Bass Day at the races, 30x wagering, max redeem £250. Bonuses expire in 14 days. Offer available until 17:00 on 14.03.2025. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly 

Tote: New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org.Full T&Cs apply.

Fitzdares: New customers only, aged 18+. Min deposit £10. Place a £50 bet on any sport at at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater to qualify for three free bets on settlement: £10 on Football, £10 on Greyhounds and £5 on Virtual Sports, plus 10 Free Spins on Reel King. Free Bet & Spins expire in 7 days. Additional T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.

Coral: 18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4 x £5 free bets. Free bet available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.  

Midnite: 18+ New UK customers. Bet £10 on accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0). Get 4x £5 Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Paddy Power: New Customers only - Place a £10 Sportsbook bet on any race at the Cheltenham Festival 2025, min. odds 1/2 (1.5) — get £40 in free bets. Free bets awarded on qualifying bet settlement and can be used on any Horse Racing & Football. Only deposits via Cards & Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply.

BetMGM: New cust only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet of £10 at Evens (1/1) or above for 2 x £10 Free Bets (min odds 2/1) & 2 x £10 Free Accas (trebles & above at min odds per line 1/2). Expires 14/03/25 23:59. Cannot be used on e-sports & non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Betrino: Opt-in Required. Free bet is a one-time stake, minimum odds of 2, stake is not returned. 1x wagering the winnings. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from receipt. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Min deposit £10 required using deposit code: FESTIVAL, Minimum of £10 worth of qualifying bets on any Horse Racing event. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply.

NRG: UK/IE | 18+ | T&C’s Apply

Unibet: 18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 in free bets and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply.