Cheltenham Festival 2025 Day 3 Recap

The third day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival unfolded under a sky that couldn’t decide between sunshine and showers, mirroring the emotional rollercoaster of a crowd teetering between hope and heartache. By the time the final race concluded, the weather was the last thing on anyone’s mind.

This was a day etched into the annals of racing history, a day where legends cemented their status, underdogs soared, and a certain jockey named Rachael Blackmore rewrote the record books with the kind of flair that leaves even the most stoic spectators breathless.

The Ryanair Chase: Fact To File’s Masterclass in Dominance

If there were any doubts about Fact To File’s credentials as a superstar, they were obliterated in the Ryanair Chase. The seven-year-old bay gelding, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, didn’t just win—he annihilated the field.

From the moment the tape lifted, Townend positioned Fact To File just off the early leaders, biding his time like a chess grandmaster plotting checkmate. By the third-last fence, the pair had cruised into contention, and as they rounded the final bend, Townend gave the signal. Fact To File’s acceleration was electric, devouring the Cheltenham turf as rivals scrambled in vain.

“He’s a monster when he gets rolling,” Townend grinned post-race, his voice tinged with awe. “I felt the others coming, but once I asked him, he just said, ‘See ya later.’”

The victory margin of 12 lengths was the widest in the race’s history, a statistic that barely captures the sheer authority of the performance. For Mullins, it was another feather in a cap already overflowing with them.

“He’s always had that gears,” the trainer remarked, “but today, he put it all together. That’s as good as it gets.”

Stayers’ Hurdle: Blackmore’s Crowning Moment

Rachael Blackmore doesn’t just break barriers—she vaporizes them. The Irish jockey, already a household name after her 2021 Grand National and Champion Hurdle triumphs, carved her name deeper into racing lore by becoming the first rider to win all five open Grade One races at the Cheltenham Festival. And she did it aboard Bob Olinger, a horse whose career had been a rollercoaster of brilliance and setbacks.

The Stayers’ Hurdle was a masterclass in patience. Bob Olinger, once dubbed “the next big thing” before injury struggles dimmed his star, settled mid-pack under Blackmore’s calm guidance. As the field turned for home, the crowd roared, sensing history. Blackmore angled her mount to the outside, avoiding traffic, and with a flick of the reins, Bob Olinger surged.

The final flight was cleared with inches to spare, and the duo powered up the hill to win by a length and a half.

“I’m pinching myself,” Blackmore admitted, her usually composed demeanor cracking into a disbelieving smile. “Bob’s been through so much. To come back like this… it’s why we do it.” The victory wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a testament to resilience, for both horse and rider.

Ryanair Mares’ Novice Hurdle: Air Of Entitlement Stuns the Crowd

In a sport where favorites dominate headlines, Air Of Entitlement reminded everyone why racing thrives on unpredictability. The 16/1 outsider, dismissed by bookmakers in favor of the hyped favorite Sixandahalf, delivered a knockout punch under—who else?—Rachael Blackmore.

The race unfolded as a tactical duel. Sixandahalf, ridden by Jack Kennedy, led confidently, but Blackmore bided her time, hugging the rail to save ground. As they approached the final hurdle, Kennedy urged his mount forward, but Blackmore, sensing the perfect moment, switched Air Of Entitlement wide and unleashed a devastating turn of foot. The mare responded, charging past Sixandahalf to win by two lengths.

“I thought we might sneak a place, but *this*?” trainer Henry de Bromhead laughed. “Rachael’s a magician. She’s got a stopwatch in her head.” For Blackmore, it was a double delight—securing her fourth win of the week and proving, yet again, that no lead is safe when she’s in the saddle.

Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase: Caldwell Potter Resurrects Nicholls’ Milestone

Paul Nicholls’ 50th Cheltenham Festival winner had been a long time coming. The legendary trainer, whose dominance in the 2000s included icons like Kauto Star and Denman, had endured a leaner spell in recent years. But Caldwell Potter, a gritty seven-year-old with a knack for scrapping, delivered the milestone in style.

Ridden by Harry Cobden, Caldwell Potter revelled in the soft ground, jumping with the precision of a metronome. A late charge by the well-backed Irish raider Storm Nelson threatened to spoil the party, but Cobden, cool as ever, kept his partner up to his work. The roar as they crossed the line echoed across the Cotswolds.

“50 winners… bloody hell,” Nicholls chuckled, wiping away a tear. “This lad’s got heart. Harry gave him a peach of a ride.” For Cobden, it was redemption after a near-miss in the Champion Chase earlier in the week. “The boss deserves this,” he said. “We’ve had some battles, but today makes it all worth it.”

Pertemps Final: Henderson’s 1-2 Punch

Nicky Henderson, the silver-haired maestro of Seven Barrows, pulled off a training masterstroke in the Pertemps Final. Doddiethegreat, named in honor of Doddie Weir, the late Scottish rugby legend and motor neuron disease campaigner, led home stablemate Iberian Lord in a poignant 1-2 finish.

Under Nico de Boinville, Doddiethegreat tracked the leaders before pouncing three out. Iberian Lord, ridden by James Bowen, loomed large but couldn’t reel in his teammate, crossing the line a half-length adrift. The result was a emotional win for owners Kenny Alexander and John Hales, who had campaigned tirelessly for MND research.

“Doddie would’ve loved this,” Alexander said, clutching the trophy. “It’s more than a race—it’s a message of hope.” Henderson, ever the tactician, deflected praise: “The horses did the talking. I just pointed them in the right direction.”

Kim Muir Challenge Cup: Stone’s Fairytale Debut

Barry Stone’s first Cheltenham Festival ride was supposed to be a learning experience. Instead, it became the stuff of dreams. The 22-year-old rookie, a former point-to-point sensation, steered Daily Present to a gutsy win in the Kim Muir, defying odds of 20/1.

Stone, who only turned professional six months earlier, kept Daily Present tucked in behind the pacesetters. As the field fanned out approaching the last, Stone seized a gap, driving his mount to the front. The pair held off a late rally by the favorite, Captain Conby, to win by a neck.

“I can’t… I don’t… wow,” Stone stammered, tears streaming. “My dad told me to just enjoy it. I think he’s crying louder than I am!” Trainer Emmet Mullins, no stranger to upsets, grinned: “Barry’s got ice in his veins. Remember the name.”

The Blackmore Effect: A Day for the Ages

By day’s end, the numbers spoke for themselves: four wins for Blackmore, a 50th for Nicholls, a fairytale for Stone. But beyond the stats, Day 3 encapsulated the magic of Cheltenham—the roar of the crowd, the thud of hooves, the stories of triumph and redemption.

As the sun dipped behind Cleeve Hill, casting long shadows over the winner’s enclosure, one thing was clear: this was a day that would be recounted for decades. And for Rachael Blackmore, standing atop the sport she’s helped redefine, the only question left was: What’s next?

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