Jaysella’s Cheltenham Festival Racecard for Thursday 12th March 2026

Jaysella’s Cheltenham Festival Racecard for Thursday 12th March with Guest Insights from Caroline

Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 1.20
Bambino Fever
Gotta to be going to Ireland this one, and I reckon that’s with Bambino Fever. She’s only been beaten the once, and that was by Gordon Elliot’s Oldschool Outlaw, who ain’t surprisingly next in the market. But, despite some light rain in the forecast for Thursday, this ground is getting quicker all the time, so with Oldschool Outlaw wanting a bit of cut, Bambino Fever looks to have it all set up for her. Jamie Snowden probable has the pick of the home team with La Conquiere, who is a great each way angle if that’s your thing, but Bambino fever’s winning this. Caroline?

Bambino Fever
Absolutely agree with you here Jaysella, this is Bambino Fever’s to lose. I do think that unless there’s so much rain the going changes to soft, conditions here are going to be perfect for the selection. Bambino Fever to justify all the hype, so yes that’s where I’m sticking my pin.

Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) 2.00
Meetmybythesea
I do like the way that Ben Pauling has progressed and progressed since the move to his new facilities at the old Naunton Downs Golf Club in 2022. It’s a unique environment for a stable & training facilities, but hell has it paid dividends, and that’s especially true with his chasers. So I’m finding it easy enough to back Meetmebythesea for this Handicap Chase, with a quicker surface just adding to my conviction. Paul Nicholls Regent’s Stroll obviously has a bit of class about him, and Harry Cobden getting the leg-up is a huge plus, while Anthony Honeyball’s Jordans Cross won here on the Trials Day in January. Henry de Bromhead’s Slade Steel rates the best of the Irish, but I’ll be on Meetmebythesea for the two Bens, Pauling & Jones.

Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2.40
Jade De Grugy
Hot favourite Wodhooh can be opposed I reckon, and it’s Jade De Grugy to upset the apple cart as they say. She was second in this last year, behind Champion Hurdle winner, Lossiemouth so that’s pretty good form huh? And I’ve got Willie Mullins and Paul Townend going on a bit of a roll this Festival, so Jade De Grugy it is. I do get it that Wodhooh has done little wrong, upsides of Feet Of A Dancer last time out at Leopardstown, but for me that was a Grade 3 and the run before didn’t look the strongest Grade 2 at Ascot. Having said all that, Wodhooh does have a bit of a winning habit, and she was runner-up to Lossiemouth herself in the Aintree Hurdle last Spring, so there is form there in the book. Gut feeling though is that Jade De Grugy’s got her measure, so do get in touch when I get this one wrong!! Your thoughts Caroline?
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Jade De Grugy
Oh yes, I’m knowing your thinking on this, and I do say yuzz got that spot on. Also, the way that Willie Mullins has been scooping up these Grade Ones so far this week, who would bet against him. The form they both hold against Lossiemouth is fully franked after the Champion Hurdle, so it’s going to be a classic battle. The bookmakers this week look to have Jade De Grugy at a very tempting price for second favourite, so I know where my Euro’s going!

Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3.20
Teahupoo (nb)
A fascinating Stayers’ where the old guard of Bob Olinger and Teahupoo will have to repel the new pretenders in Ma Shantou and Kabral Du Mathan. I reckon this is gonna be a humdinger of a renewal, but Teahupoo is the outstanding Staying Hurdler of his generation so his class will prevail. Probably! At least he’s going to be lining up fresh, which is the key to getting the best out of him, and with an unblemished two from two this season and this Grade One the main target, everything looks to be in place. Now then, the young pretenders, Ma Shantou and Kabral Du Mathan. Ma Shantou looked full of running in the Cleeve Hurdle here on January’s Trials Day, and seeing he’s now won his last three on this track, has to be considered for Emma Lavelle, who let’s face it, knows a thing or tow about readying a Staying Hurdler! Good or soft ground comes all the same, so she gotta be on my list. Kabral Du Mathan is in that “could be anything” category, so not much else to say. Bob Olinger could be the fly in the ointment for Teahupoo, so with the youngsters snapping at his heels he’s got his work cut out, but I still think he’ll win. Brilliant race in store don’t you think, Caroline?

Teahupoo (nb)
Without a doubt this is a brilliant renewal of the Stayers’ Hurdle. Now, I did see that Darragh O’Keefe didn’t knock the spots off Bob Olinger when he was second to Teahupoo in the Christmas Hurdle the last day, so both have been aimed at this. But it’s Teahupoo’s race with Bob Olinger, Ma Shantou, Ballyburn and Kabral Du Mathan all having to show that they are ready to sit at the top of the tree. Looking forward to it myself!

Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 4.00
Fact To File (nap)
Won it last year, going to win it again. That’s it enough said. But of course I’m gonna say a bit more, and I do think so far this week that things haven’t always gone according to plan for Mark Walsh, and to me it would be nice if he can land one more Grade One for JP McManus in the green and gold. So after Majborough’s disappointing effort in the Champion Chase on Wednesday, this Ryanair has to be his best remaining chance. Odds demonstrate that of course, so you ain’t getting much bang for your buck, but It’s Fact To File to put this in the outbox! Caroline?

Fact To File (nap)
Oh, without a doubt this is Fact To File’s race. And I do agree that Mark Walsh is deserving of this, and for me, the Ryanair is the better race for Fact To File to race in, instead of the Gold Cup. Three miles at Leopardstown the last day was a bit less emphasis on stamina than the Gold Cup here, so for me that was the right decision, and Fact To File should win the Ryanair.

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 4.40
Absolutely Doyen
One that can go to the home team we think, but which one exactly we’ve not a Scooby Doo. It could pay to play safe and go for a bigger price with all the extra places on offer, so as I’ve got to stick a pin somewhere, lets go for Paul Nicholls Absolutely Doyen. Points for – can’t seem to stop winning, Harry Cobden up top to do the steering, conditions should be just fine, should see out the trip. Points against – never run at Cheltenham, off a revised mark. If that’s too much of an unknown for you, Dan Skelton’s Ace Of Spades would be my second choice.

Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase 5.20
Herakles Westwood
Warren Greatrex’s Herakles Westwood won a Handicap Chase here on January’s Trials Day, so more of the same please. It was a bit of a fortunate win, when the favourite got hampered, but he still crossed the line first and that’s what counts. He’s had a wind op since, so every chance there could be more improvement to come. Ante post favourite Jeriko Du Reponet and Joseph O’Brien’s Kim Roque are worth a second look, and that’s my three for the closer.