55,000 descend on Cheltenham for St Patrick's Thursday
Among the highlights was the Ryanair Chase, won by Henry de Bromhead's Heart Wood
Cheltenham Racecourse welcomed 55,648 people for St Patrick’s Thursday, the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Among the highlights was the Ryanair Chase, won by Henry de Bromhead's Heart Wood with jockey Darragh O’Keeffe at odds of 9-2.
Jonbon finished second, maintaining his record of placing in the top two in all 28 races he's competed in.
Bookmakers had a successful day as well, thanks to surprising victories like White Noise's 40-1 win in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Other unexpected winners included Home By The Lee at 33-1 in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle and Ask Brewster at 22-1 in the Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase.
Ireland currently leads Britain by a narrow margin of 11-10 in the EBC Group Prestbury Cup, with one day remaining.
Guy Lavender, Cheltenham Racecourse Chief Executive, said: “It’s been another day of fantastic, competitive racing and great to see the British trainers continuing to keep pace with the Irish.
“It was a challenging day weather-wise but I was pleased to see the under cover Cheltenham Retreat being well utilised and we’ve had some excellent feedback from those who have used this and other new facilities across the course.
“We now look forward to what promises to be a thrilling renewal of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup tomorrow in front of a sold out crowd here at the Home of Jump Racing.”
As the festival gears up for its final day, attendees anticipate the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on 15th March, promising a thrilling finish to this celebrated event.