Pour the water out of your boots and wipe the mud from your eyes, hopefully day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival will be a bit brighter.

A forecast of light rain at Cheltenham on Wednesday turned into a full blown mudbath by the time the first race went off. It was hard to tell the colour of the jockeys' silks. Despite the terrible weather, Energumene, Sir Gerhard, L'Homme Presse and Facile Vega grabbed the Group 1 glory.

The Planet Sport tipsters continued their good form from the opening day by backing both L'Homme Presse and the star of the show Energumene. Hopefully they can steer you in the right direction for Thursday's action too.

Want a quick bit of detail as to why our tipsters have selected our Group 1 highlighted horses? If you scroll down the page or visit the specific race tips pages you'll find out why.
Good luck and please gamble responsibly.
(Please be aware tips might be updated if a horse becomes a non-runner)

Hot tips for day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival

13:30 Turners Novices' Chase - Bob Olinger

14:10 The Pertemps Network Final - Sire Du Berlais

14:50 The Ryanair Chase - Allaho

15:30 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle - Klassical Dream

16:10 The Craft Irish Whiskey Plate - Celebre D'Allen

16:50 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle - Dinoblue

17:30 Kim Muir Challenge Cup - School Boy Hours

Strong each-way selections for day 3 of Cheltenham

13:30 Turners Novices' Chase - El Barra

14:10 The Pertemps Network Final - Third Wind

14:50 The Ryanair Steeple Chase - Janidil

15:30 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle - Song For Someone

16:10 The Craft Irish Whiskey Plate - Fancy Foundations

16:50 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle - Say Goodbye

17:30 Kim Muir Challenge Cup - Omar Maretti

13:30 Turners Novices' Chase - Bob Olinger

Jonathan Doidge, Planet Sport tipster: "Galopin Des Champs looks potentially something very special, however, I was watching back the Bob Olinger performance in last year's Albert Bartlett and I just think he oozes class.
"He's made for this trip, he jumped really well when he shook off Capodanno most recently in that Kildare Novice Chase at Punchestown back in January and I can see him kicking on again up the hill and finding that bit extra, coming home in front."

Read the full Turners Novices' Chase tips article on Planet Sport

14:50 The Ryanair Chase - Allaho

Jonathan Doidge, Planet Sport tipster: "Banker of the meeting for me is Allaho. He won the race last year and beat Fakir D'Oudairies by 12 lengths.

"He's got form in the Albert Barlett too, third in 2019, third in the RSA in 2020 and then came back again last year with that sparkling performance to win this. The race is cutting up and if he gets round he wins."

Read the full Ryanair Chase tips article on Planet Sport

15:30 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle - Song For Someone

David Carr, Racing Post: "I think there's potential for an upset here with a horse called Song For Someone, who's raced mainly at two miles, won the Coral Hurdle over two miles, three furlongs. I think he's going to be suited by this and I think he could show up a few reputations and run really well at a huge price."
Read the full Stayers' article on Planet Sport

17:30 Kim Muir Challenge Cup - Omar Maretti

Jonathan Doidge, Planet Sport tipster: "The one I like at a working man's price is Omar Maretti. He's trained by Alex Hales, who's been having a good season, and this horse looks very interesting. He races off a mark of 137, despite having been nicely placed to win four of his five career starts, finishing second in the other.

"This trip looks ideal for him, as he showed when jumping really well and winning readily at Catterick last time. He won't mind whether it's soft or a little bit drier and he looks one of the better treated runners in what will be a big field.

"The ability to cope with a field this size is one box he has yet to tick but he looks a seriously good each-way play with plenty of scope for further improvement."

How to watch the Cheltenham Festival on TV

ITV's coverage, led by Ed Chamberlain and Francesca Cumani, is on from 12:50pm to 4:30pm on Thursday, and will feature the first five races of the day. You can also catch the action streamed on ITV Hub.
Racing TV will have coverage of the last two races of the day.

Day 3: Thursday, March 17 - full schedule

13:30 Turners Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
14:10 The Pertemps Network Final
14:50 The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
15:30 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1)

16:10 The Craft Irish Whiskey Plate (Grade 2)

16:50 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)
17:30 Kim Muir Challenge Cup