We are under way!

It's a disaster for the fancied Maughreen though, who was facing the wrong way when they were let go and has already tailed off.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

A few comedy boos from the crowd after another false start - it's been a bit of a theme this week.

An inauspicious start to day three, as we have a false start.

We have had a few of these at this Festival, with the jockeys moving their horses into a canter too early.

There are 24 runners in this opening race. Expect drama.

They are slowly making their way towards the start now.

We are only a few minutes away from the first race on day three at Cheltenham.

Sixandahalf, the five-year-old trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Keith Donoghue, starts as the favourite.

Andrew Thornton
Former jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

The big races have gone in different directions. You have to jump and that has been the theme. We saw Jonbon yesterday, how he finished second I do not know.

Two of the best hurdlers we've seen fell in the Champion Hurdle.

With Hollygrove Cha Cha going at around 33-1 in the current betting markets, there is a slight chance that Chris' mum could have even more to celebrate today.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

We might not have had the snow of yesterday but there is a distinct chill in the air at Cheltenham today.

The going is officially described as Good to Soft on the New Course, which stages the final two days of action.

Clerk of the course Jon Pullin said: “Temperatures got down to just below -2C for a brief period overnight but it has warmed up now and should be around 8C for the rest of the day."

The two big races are the Ryanair Chase, which features one-time Gold Cup favourite Fact To File, and the Stayers' Hurdle in which Teahupoo bids to retain his title.

Image source, Getty Images

The mares take centre stage again for the opening race of day three with a big field of 24 going to post.

Sixandahalf is well fancied for Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue after a promising spell on the Flat last season and a win over hurdles at Fairyhouse in January.

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend team up with Aurora Vega while Mullins also has Karoline Banbou and Maughreen.

Jockey Harry Cobden has been confident about the chances of Jubilee Alpha who won her last two outings well and she is a live contender.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

While crowds have been down on the opening two days, a similar attendance to last year of nearly 54,000 is expected at Cheltenham today.

General admission is sold out for Gold Cup day on Friday with close to 70,000 set to witness Galopin Des Champs go for the treble.

Long queues of punters were waiting to get in today well before the gates opened at 10:30 GMT.

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Throughout the Festival, we will have live radio coverage on 5 Live and Sports Extra.

Today, you can tune in from now until 17.30 GMT to Sports Extra for live commentary on every race. Listen in via your digital radio, BBC Sounds, or by clicking the 'Listen Live' button at the top of this page.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

The New Lion (3-1) extended his unbeaten run to five with an impressive win from The Yellow Clay in the Turners Novices' Hurdle.

Jockey Harry Skelton triumphed for trainer brother Dan to seal an 80th Festival victory for owner JP McManus, who bought the horse earlier this year.

"He's a phenomenal horse and I've never had one like this," said Dan of The New Lion, who is around a 7-1 shot for next year's Champion Hurdle.

Lecky Watson was guided by Sean O'Keeffe to a surprise 20-1 triumph in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase for Willie Mullins.

Stablemate Ballyburn was sent off the warm favourite but he never recovered from a major blunder at the seventh fence.

Another Mullins outsider, the 16-1 chance Jimmy Du Seuil, won the Coral Cup under the trainer's nephew Danny. The winner had finished 13 lengths second to Ballyburn as a novice hurdler at Cheltenham last year.

And a Mullins Wednesday treble was completed when Jody Townend on Bambino Fever gave him a sixth Champion Bumper victory in eight years.

Image source, Getty Images

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty both claimed emotional wins at the Cheltenham Festival two years after winning here for jockey Michael O'Sullivan, who died in a fall last month.

First, Marine Nationale, ridden by Sean Flanagan for owner-trainer Barry Connell, won a dramatic Queen Mother Champion Chase by 18 lengths from favourite Jonbon, whose progress was halted by a jumping mistake.

Then the Cian Collins-trained Jazzy Matty, under Danny Gilligan, landed the Grand Annual Chase.

Marine Nationale had won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle two years ago in the same yellow and blue colours for O'Sullivan, who died aged 24 following his injuries at Thurles Racecourse.

"I'm just the man on him today, Michael made him what he is," said Flanagan.

"It's hugely emotional for a lot of reasons. His family find it very hard. Jockeys in Ireland, England and around the world have been under a cloud in the last couple of weeks."

O'Sullivan won the Fred Winter Hurdle on Jazzy Matty for trainer Gordon Elliott in 2023.

Gilligan said: "I think we all know there is someone very special looking down on us today. That is for Michael."

Image source, Getty Images

If you missed day two of the Festival, don't worry - here's our round-up of events.

We start with a remarkable series of victories which brought a tear to the eye...

The good news is that there has been no more snow, after yesterday morning's surprise flurry.

The bad news is that temperatures remain low, with the possibility of some rain during the afternoon.

If you have made your way to Cheltenham, we hope you remembered your coat.

This has been one of the most unpredictable and emotional Cheltenham Festivals for several years, and we'd love to hear your thoughts.

What has been your standout moment so far? Are you heading to the course today? And who are you backing in the races to come? Get in touch using the details above.

13:20 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle 2m 1f

14:00 Jack Richards Novices' Chase 2m 4f

14:40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle 3m

15:20 Ryanair Chase 2m 4f

16:00 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle 3m

16:40 TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase 2m 4f

17:20 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase 3m 2f

Welcome to day three of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, which has provided plenty of drama, upsets and emotion so far.

Today is also known as St. Patrick's Thursday at the Festival, ahead of the patron saint of Ireland's day next Monday. Expect to see plenty of green today - and, most likely, a fair few moments to celebrate for the Irish.

Image source, Getty Images