Cheltenham RESULTS: Paisley Park wins Stayers Hurdle as punters dominate on day three | Racing | Sport

The Stayers Hurdle was the most anticipated race of Thursday, with the favourite Paisley Park storming home to claim the victory.

Defi Du Seuil won the JLT Novices' Steeple Chase, while Sire Du Berlais crossed the line first in the Pertemps Final.

Frodon claimed the Ryanair Chase, with Sirup Du Lac impressing in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase.

Numerous favourites won on day three at Cheltenham – and bookies have revealed they lost around £50m.

Cheltenham results:

JLT Novices' Steeple Chase result: 1st Defi Du Seuil, 2nd Lostintranslation, 3rd Mengli Khan

Pertemps Final result: 1st Sire Du Berlais, 2nd Tobefair, 3rd Not Many Left

Ryanair Chase result: 1st Frodon, 2nd Aso, 3rd Road To Respect

Stayers' Hurdle result: 1st Paisley Park, 2nd Sam Spinner, 3rd Faugheen

Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase result: 1st Sirup Du Lac, 2nd Janika, 3rd Spiritofthegame

Trull House Stud Mares' Novices Hurdle result: 1st Eglantine Du Seuil, 2nd Concertista, 3rd Tintangle

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase result: 1st Any Second Now, 2nd Kilfilum Cross, 3rd The Young Master.

“We thought Wednesday was bad, when favourites won the last four races, but that seemed like a good day at the office compared to this afternoon, with estimated losses across the industry in the region of £50 million,” said Coral's David Stevens.

“Defi Du Seuil and Sire Du Berlais kept the winning run for favourites going in the opening two races, before the always popular Bryony Frost gained her first Festival win on Frodon.

“That set the scene for Paisley Park's victory in the Stayers' Hurdle, before Siruh Du Lac and Lizzie Kelly got in on the act, and while we needed the shock 50-1 win of Eglantine Du Seuil in the sixth race, by then the damage was done on a day we'd like to forget but will find it hard to!”

Attention now turns to the final day of Cheltenham, with all eyes on the Gold Cup.

Native River and Presenting Percy are the 7/2 favourites to win the biggest race of the week.

Clan Des Obeaux has also been tipped to to shine on Friday.

And Ruby Walsh, who will be riding Bellshill in the Gold Cup, has revealed his verdict on the big race.

“We’ve three live chances in Bellshill, Kemboy and Al Boum Photo. It’s easy to make a case for each one but it’s also easy to pick holes in their form also. I hope I pick the right one,” he told Paddy Power.

“It’s very open and the fact that Presenting Percy has only had one run over hurdles this season – and no runs over fences outside of novice company – is not a textbook preparation for a Gold Cup. That could make him vulnerable.

“Paul Nicholls’ Clan Des Obeaux has been the massive improver all season since winning the King George and then following up at Ascot. The more rain the better for last year’s winner up Native River.”