Cheltenham Festival tips: one key runner from each ITV race on Thursday

ITV will broadcast five live races from the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday. The action on day three features some high-class names, notably Allaho, and we've got you covered for the day's terrestrial TV coverage.

Cheltenham Festival Thursday: ITV Racing tips

Our Spotlight experts select their best bets for day three of the Cheltenham Festival

1.30 Cheltenham
Turners Novices' Chase, 2m4f, Grade 1

There are only four runners in this, but they include potential megastars Bob Olinger and Galopin Des Champs, so a classic case of quality over quantity.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: GALOPIN DES CHAMPS

Progressive hurdler last season, winning a Grade 1; looks even better as a chaser

2.10 Cheltenham
Pertemps Network Final, 3m, Grade 3

A full field of 24 for one of the trickiest races of the entire week and eyes are drawn to the lowly weighted Dunboyne, who has crept in for Gordon Elliott's stable, which has won the race three times in the last four years.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: SIRE DU BERLAIS

Won this in 2019 and 2020 (off 4lb lower); 2nd in Stayers' Hurdle last year; rock solid

The Punt Daily: Robbie Wilders' two each-way plays at Cheltenham on Thursday

2.50 Cheltenham
Ryanair Chase, 2m4½f, Grade 1

If Honeysuckle was a banker in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, Allaho could be the punters' pal in this, especially if anyone watches a replay of his runaway victory 12 months ago.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: ALLAHO

Impressive in this last year; others are likely playing for second if he is at his best

3.30 Cheltenham
Stayers' Hurdle, 3m, Grade 1

Flooring Porter is another return winner and has solid claims again after a tidy run at Christmas, but he is a quirky sort and how he handles the preliminaries might be as interesting as the race itself.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: THYME HILL

Second to Champ in the Long Walk; has excelled at the Festival in the past; lots to like

Free Cheltenham Festival tips: six horses to back on Thursday at Cheltenham

Plate Handicap Chase, 2m4½f, Grade 3

Edwardstone helped Alan King scratch an annoying festival itch in Tuesday's Arkle and the trainer has a fine contender for this in smart mare The Glancing Queen, who is unexposed over fences.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: IMPERIAL ALCAZAR

Drew clear for 10l win in notable novice handicap over C&D last time; strong credentials

Best ITV Racing free bets

Sign up to William Hill here and get 30-1 on Allaho to win the Ryanair Chase for the second year in a row on Thursday of the festival. New customers using EPA30. Applies to bets placed from 09:00 8th March 2022 until 14:50 17th March 2022. Max £1 bet at 30-1. Returns paid as 2 x £15 free bets (30-day expiry). Player, currency restrictions and terms apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.

2022 Cheltenham Festival offers

Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new customers and existing customers and all you need is an account. Sign up here
Sky Bet have got a selection of offers for new customers. Choose yours when you sign up here. They've also got an offer on every race of the festival
Betfair have lots of offers, extra places and money back offers for the festival. Sign up for a new account here
To get a free bet from Ladbrokes today sign up to a new account here
Don't have a Coral account? They have an offer for new customers here
bet365 have a new customer offer available. Sign up here
New William Hill customers can claim free bets here as well as benefit from their money back offers here
888 Sport have free bets for all new customers. Sign up here
If you're a new customer, Tote are offering you a free bet. Sign up here to claim. They're also offering a free Placepot bet each day of the festival

ITV7 tips and predictions

The ITV7 competition is back and is completely free to play, with £300,000 up for grabs. Users will need a Sky Bet account to enter, so if you don't already have an account sign up using this link and take advantage of the free bet offer .

Race 1, 1.30 Cheltenham: GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
Race 2, 1.55 Down Royal: WRECKING BALL PAUL
Race 3, 2.10 Cheltenham: SIRE DU BERLAIS
Race 4, 2.35 Down Royal: I DON'T GET IT
Race 5, 2.50 Cheltenham: ALLAHO
Race 6, 3.30 Cheltenham: THYME HILL
Race 7, 4.10 Cheltenham: IMPERIAL ALCAZAR

Thursday's Cheltenham Festival previews:

1.30 Cheltenham: 'It'll be some spectacle' – key quotes ahead of Bob Olinger v Galopin Des Champs

2.10 Cheltenham: 'A Grade 1 winner carrying 10st, it's up to him' – clues for the Pertemps Final

2.50 Cheltenham: 'Everybody is up against it' – is there any stopping Ryanair banker Allaho?

3.30 Cheltenham: Paisley Park 'likes to have a laugh' but can he produce another miracle?

4.10 Cheltenham: 'He looks to have been overlooked' – analysis and trainer quotes for the Plate

4.50 Cheltenham: Dinoblue heads seven runners for Willie Mullins in bid to resume normal service

5.30 Cheltenham: 'He's really turned the corner' – key quotes and insight for the Kim Muir