Afternoon all. 

So it’s Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival and somehow it seems we’re still set for a full schedule of racing in spite of the coronavirus crisis and all the measures being taken by other sporting bodies.

We’ll keep an eye on what unfolds today anyway and let you know if there’s any changes to this afternoon’s racing or tomorrow’s Gold Cup day.

So we’re set to go in the opener, Faugheen, Samcro and Itchy Feet the ones to watch.

And they’re off in the Marsh Novices’ Chase!

Faugheen out in front from Poker Play, they’re over the second fence.

Melon comes through to head the field ahead of Reserve Tank.

Itchy Feet is gone! Gavin Sheehan unseated.

Melon in front from Faugheen, Samcro in third.

Melon still has the advantage, they’re over the third last.

Samcro and Melon in a photo finish!

Samcro wins the Marsh Novices’ Chase in a photo!

What a finish that was!

WOW!! 🤯

What a start to Day 3!

Samcro pips Melon on the line to win the Novices' Chase!

Faugheen ran strongly to come 3rd. #VMTVRacing #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/mp1E3UQei2

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 12, 2020

Next up it’s a Grade 3 race, the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at 2.10pm.

Davy Russell celebrates winning on board Samcro. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

24 set to run in this. Sire Du Berlais the winner last year. The Storyteller, Relegate and Welsh Saint set to be co-favourites.

And they’re off in the Pertemps!

Kansas City Chief for Tom Scudamore making the running.

Kansas City Chief a neck ahead of Royal Thief.

Just two to go now.

The Storyteller jumps the last.

Sire Du Berlais wins the Pertemps!

Sire Du Berlais just gets ahead of The Storyteller and it’s another win for Barry Geraghty and JP McManus! 

Gordon Elliott the winning trainer here, what a day he’s having.

So here’s the official result from the Pertemps:

• 1. Sire Du Berlais (10/1)
• 2. The Storyteller (11/2 joint fav)
• 3. Tout Est Permis (12/1)

Next up it’s the RSA Chase with A Plus Tard going off the favourite. Min, Frodon, Riders Onthe Storm, Duc Des Genievres, Saint Calvados, Shattered Love and Aso also go.

Okay and we’re set to go here in the Ryanair Chase!

Last year’s winner Frodon out in front early.

Frodon just ahead of Min now.

Favourite A Plus Tard in fifth, Frodon has slipped back to fourth. New leader in Aso.

Shattered Love and Min there as well. Nicely bunched so far.

Min now motoring well in front of Shattered Love.

Six from the finish now.

Min, Shattered Love and A Plus Tard all well there.

Ridersonthestorm a faller there.

Min and A Plus Tard jump it together two out.

Min wins the Ryanair Chase!

Paul Townend holds on for victory with Min! Saint Calvados is held off in second place and A Plus Tard is back in third.

Min wins the Ryanair Chase!!

Great ride from Paul Townend up the inside!#VMTVRacing #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/u7Yi5Rwwrd

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 12, 2020

So next up it’s the Stayers’ Hurdle and defending champion Paisley Park is the well-backed favourite.

Can Paisley Park be stopped? Emitom, Apples Jade, Penhill and Summerville Boy might be the best options as challengers.

And they’re off in the Stayers’ Hurdle!

Apples Jade first out.

Penhill has been pulled up early, Apples Jade surging ahead now by five lengths.

Ask Dillon and Donnas Diamond following Apples Jade. Paisley Park a bit further back.

The advantage has increased for Apples Jade, a pack chasing including Paisley Park.

Over the third last, can Apples Jade be reeled in?

It’s getting tight now, over the second last.

Summerville Boy in second, Lisnagar Oscar there as well.

Lisnagar leads going to the last.

Lisnagar Oscar wins the Stayers’ Hurdle!

And a shock in the big race of the day! The 50/1 shot Lisnagar Oscar ahed of Ronalds Pump with Bacardys in third.

The leader Paisley Park was a good bit back.

Jockey Adam Wedge and trainer Rebecca Curtis get to celebrate a famous triumph there.

🏆 RESULT

🏇 The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle

1️⃣ Lisnagar Oscar 50/1
2️⃣ Ronald Pump 20/1
3️⃣ Bacardys 33/1
4️⃣ Emitom 10/1

Live on Virgin Media One.#CheltenhamFestival #VMTVRacing

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 12, 2020

Pick your jaw from off the floor - Lisnagar Oscar lands the @paddypower Stayers' Hurdle at 50-1!@rebcurtis is back in the big time after an extraordinary result in the big race 👏 #CheltenhamFestival @Adamkwedge pic.twitter.com/5lHrXFHMBk

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 12, 2020

Next up we have the Brown Advisory Handicap Chase at 4.10pm.

And they’re off in the third last race of the day.

Field still all intact. Siruh Du Lac in front.

La Bague Au Roi is a faller.

Six from the finish, Siruh Du Lac in front.

Simply The Betts now on the inside of Siruh Du Lac.

Simply The Betts and Happy Diva jump the last.

Simply The Betts wins the Brown Advisory Handicap Plate!

And Cork jockey Gavin Sheehan gets to celebrate after coming so close throughout the day!

Simply The Betts win the Stable Plate Handicap Chase!

Brilliant stuff from Gavin Sheehan! 🇮🇪#VMTVRacing #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/JEvYavjrbG

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 12, 2020

Nearly ready to go in the penultimate race for the day, the Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares’ Novices Hurdle.

A host of Irish contenders at the top of the market – Henry de Bromhead’s Minella Melody (3-1) the favourite ahead of the Willie Mullins duo of Colreevy (4-1) and Concertista (4-1).

They’re off in the Dawn Run! Colreevy first to show.

Minella Melody and Rachael Blackmore take a slight lead over Colreevy as they head towards the back straight.

Anna Bunina and Fort Worth Texas are both nicely prominent at this stage as well.

Two to jump – Anna Bunina, Minella Melody, Fort Worth Texas, Time To Chill and Colreevy all there.

White Hot Chili Filly coming with a chance too

Concertista wins the Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Hurdle

Very patient ride from Daryl Jacob who picked her way through and then pulled clear of stablemate Dolcita ridden by Robbie Power.

Rayna’s World stayed on brilliantly into third at odds of 100-1.

The full result:

1. Concertista 9-2

2. Dolcita 9-1

3. Rayna’s World 100-1

4. Yukon Lil 20-1

Runners are down at the start for the last of the day, the Kim Muir handicap chase for amateur riders

Le Breuil and Jamie Codd lead the market at 5-1 ahead of the JP McManus pair Champagne Platinum (6-1) and Fitzhenry (7-1).

And they’re off in the Kim Muir!

One Style leads from Thomas Patrick with the field well strung out. Le Breuil in mid-division at the moment.

Go Another One is gone, and hampers Le Musee. Horse and rider up safely.

Cabaret Queen helping to close the gap on One Style and Thomas Patrick.

Cabaret Queen moves up to second behind One Style as they pass the stands and head out on their final circuit.

Deise Aba up as part of that leading group. Six left to jump and lost of chances.

One Style from Bob Mahler with Kilfilum Cross and Plan of Attack there too.

One Style falls three out! Milan Native running into it as well.

Champagne Platinum challenges as they come into the straight

Milan Native wins the Kim Muir for Gigginstown House Stud!

The full result:

1. Milan Native 9-1

2. Kilfilum Cross 8-1

3. Bob Mahler 16-1

4. Plan of Attack 10-1

5. Deise Aba 8-1