Cheltenham festival 2026: racism inquiry continues before day three action live

"The stewards' inquiry into the incident is expected to resume at the course this morning and there could presumably be a result well before De Boinville heads out for the first of his two rides on the card: Impose Toi in the Stayers' Hurdle at 3.20pm (all times GMT), and the ever-popular Jonbon in the Ryanair Chase at 4pm."

"The starts for both the Turners Novice Hurdle and the BetMGM Cup yesterday, with maximum fields of two-and-a-half mile hurdlers jostling for position, were far from satisfactory, and the fall-out included a suggestion by Max McNeill, the co-owner of the beaten favourite in the opener, No Drama This End, that the Irish jockeys know what they are doing and they are going to make it as difficult for the class horses in the race as possible."

"There are two very obvious class horses in the opener today and both, as it happens, are trained in Ireland: Bambino Fever, last year's Champion Bumper winner from the Willie Mullins stable, and Gordon Elliott's Oldschool Outlaw. All eyes will be on them as they circle at the start as Paul Townend and Mark Walsh, their riders, try to get a decent racing position on mares that like to race up with the pace."

Day three of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival centers on two critical issues: starting procedures and allegations of racial abuse against jockey Nico de Boinville following a chaotic start to the Turners Novice Hurdle. The stewards' inquiry is expected to resume, with a result anticipated before de Boinville's scheduled rides on Impose Toi and Jonbon. Poor starts in previous races, including the Turners and BetMGM Cup, have raised concerns about competitive tactics. Today features large fields including 22 runners in the Mares' Novice Hurdle and 19 in the Jack Richards Novice Handicap Chase. Two Irish-trained class horses, Bambino Fever and Oldschool Outlaw, are expected to attract particular attention during the opening race.

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