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Cheltenham Festival Betting Sites

Written by Pavel Kateliev
Pavel Kateliev is a popular sport journalist, particularly in the fields of football, basketball, tennis, and hockey. He writes daily for Sportingpedia and his work has been translated into at least 20 languages and featured on renowned outlets such as BBC, Yahoo, MCN, Sun, and Evening News, in Italian, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
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Find our expert reviews of reputable and regulated Cheltenham Festival horse racing betting sites. Each bookmaker has been thoroughly checked by our team using real-money accounts.

  1. MyBookieRating: 4.9
  2. BovadaRating: 4.8
  3. XBetRating: 4.7
  4. EverygameRating: 4.6
  5. BetUSRRating: 4.5
  6. VaveRating: 4.4

Few horse racing events can match the scale of the Cheltenham Festival or the abundance of betting opportunities it provides. If, like us, you cannot attend the event in person and experience its atmosphere while waiting to see whether your favorite wins, you will need a reliable bookmaker that accepts wagers on the races. To help you choose, we have selected ten bookies that have proven to offer a legitimate and fair horse racing betting environment.

Cheltenham Festival Betting Sites Ranked by Trustpilot Rating

Comparison of Cheltenham Festival Betting Sites

SportsbookSports on OfferMin DepositMin WithdrawalMin BetBonusesBonus Wagering RequirementsIn-Play BettingLicenses
BovadaAmerican Football, Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, and 20+ other sports•$10 - MatchPay; •$20 - card payments; •$50 - Direct Bank Transfer; •0.0001 BTC - Bitcoin; •0.001 BCH - Bitcoin Cash; •0.2827 BSV - Bitcoin SV; •0.01 LTC - Litecoin; •0.002 ETH - Ethereum; •5 USDT - USD Tether; •0.0002 BCL - Bitcoin Lightning•$75 - Bitcoin; •$10 - MatchPay, Voucher, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Bitcoin Lightning; •$50 - Ethereum, USD Tether; •$250 - Check by Courier; •$1,500 - Bank Wire$0.50

• 75% Welcome Crypto Bonus up to $750
• 50% Welcome Fiat Deposit Bonus up to $250

5x deposit + bonus (both types of Welcome Bonus)

Yes

The Union of the Comoros

KarambaFootball, Horse Racing, Tennis, Rugby, Badminton, Boxing, and 35+ other sports€/£/$10€/£/$10€/£/$0.10

Welcome Offer: 100% match up bonus up to £50 + 100 spins
Sign Up Offer: £10 Free Bet

Welcome Offer: 35x bonus amount
Sign Up Offer: No wagering requirements

Yes
bet365Football, Tennis, Speedway, Table Tennis, and 40+ other sports$/€5-10$/€5-10$/€0.10

Open Account Offer

Open an account with bet365 today and bet on a huge range of markets with the world’s favourite online sports betting brand.

Yes
Mr GreenFootball, Tennis, Esports, Horse Racing, and 30+ other sports$/€10$/€30$/€0.10

First Deposit Free Bets

2x€10 free bets must be fully wagered within 7 days

Yes
Sports InteractionBasketball, Football, Tennis, Hockey, Soccer, eSports, and 30+ other sports$10$10$1

$500 No Sweat First Bet
125% Deposit Match Bonus up to $750

$500 No Sweat First Bet: $10 min deposit, bonus is granted if the user’s first bet does not win, bonus bet must be wagered within 7 days after claiming, minimum odds of 1.5
125% Deposit Match Bonus up to $750: WR of 6x the deposit and bonus amount (odds of 1.5), users have 60 days to meet the wagering requirements, $10 min deposit

Yes
BetwayFootball, Horse Racing, Golf, Basketball, Tennis, and 25+ other sports$/€10$/€10$/€0.10
  • €/$30 Welcome Free Bet
  • Betway Sports £10 Welcome Free Bet

 

  • Min deposit €/$10; No wagering requirements on Free Bets; Winnings are paid in cash minus the initial free bet amount; Qualifying bets – single bets at min odds of 1.75, each-ways and system bets at min odds of 1.40; Free bets must be fully wagered within 7 days of account registration
  • Min deposit £10; Debit card deposits only; Qualifying bets – single bets at min odds of 1.75, each-ways and system bets at min odds of 1.40; Validity – 7 days of account registration
Yes
NetBetFootball, Horse Racing, Tennis, Basketball, Virtual Sports, and 35+ other sports$/£/€10$/£/€10€0.07 for pre-live betting and €0.13 for live betting

N/A

N/A

Yes

MGA (MGA/B2C/126/2006)

UKGC (39170)

888sportFootball, Horse Racing, Tennis, American Football, and 20+ other sports$/€10$/€10$/€0.10

Deposit and bet €10 and get €30 in Free Bets on First Bet

  • Min €10 deposit
  • Min odds 1.5 on any sports
  • 3x €10 Free Bet tokens valid for 7 days
Yes
BetUSRFootball, Tennis, Soccer, Golf, Basketball, Cricket, and 23 other sports• Bitcoin - $20 • P2P - $100• Bitcoin - $25 • Bank Wire - $100$1 ($0.50 for Exacta bets)

100% Welcome
Bonus up to
$1,500 plus 25 free spins

• 20x for sports
bonus
• 40x for casino
bonus
• $50 minimum
deposit

Yes

No licensing information

BetOnlineHockey, Tennis, Soccer, Volleyball, and 24 other sports•Cards - $25; •Crypto - $10; •Money Orders - $300; •P2P - $100•Crypto - $20; •Wire Transfers and Courier Checks - $500; •P2P - $50; •Money Orders - $1,000•$1 online •$25 for phone wagers

Welcome Offer: 50% up to $250 in free bets and 100 free spins

•Minimum deposit of $50 with code FREE250
•1x wagering requirement
•Valid for 30 days
•Available to US players only

Yes

Panama Gaming Control Board

Best Cheltenham Festival Betting Sites

  1. Bovada

    Bovada logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    The Union of the Comoros
    Min Deposit
    •$10 - MatchPay; •$20 - card payments; •$50 - Direct Bank Transfer; •0.0001 BTC - Bitcoin; •0.001 BCH - Bitcoin Cash; •0.2827 BSV - Bitcoin SV; •0.01 LTC - Litecoin; •0.002 ETH - Ethereum; •5 USDT - USD Tether; •0.0002 BCL - Bitcoin Lightning
    Min Withdrawal
    •$75 - Bitcoin; •$10 - MatchPay, Voucher, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Bitcoin Lightning; •$50 - Ethereum, USD Tether; •$250 - Check by Courier; •$1,500 - Bank Wire
    Withdrawal Time
    • Bitcoin - Up to 24 hours • Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Tether, and Litecoin - Up to 1 hour • Check by Courier - Approximately 10-15 Business Days • Bank Wire - Approximately 10-15 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Bitcoin logoBitcoin Cash logoTether logoEthereum logoLitecoin logoVisa logoMastercard logoMatchPay logoBank Transfer logoCheck by Courier logoBovada Voucher logoBitcoin SV logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Contact Details
    •Live Chat: Yes •Email: service@bovada.lv •Phone: N/A
    Facebook profileX profileInstagram profileLinkedIn profile
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    • Focus on North American sports
    • Diverse horse racing bet types
    • No upper limit on crypto withdrawals
    • Lucrative promotional offers
    • Accepts punters from the US
    • Multichannel customer support

    Bovada is a Curaçao-licensed gambling operator that has served the US betting market for over two decades. Its platform includes casino, poker, sports, and horse racing sections. Customer support is available 24/7 by phone, email, and live chat. Bovada’s services are accessible to betting enthusiasts in the US, except those residing in DE, MD, NJ, NV, and NY.

    The bookmaker covers numerous American and international sporting events, with some receiving particularly extensive coverage. Horse racing is one example, with a wide range of bet types available on events held in the UK, Australia, Canada, and the US. Racecards contain useful data that can help punters make informed decisions about particular events.

    Bovada offers separate welcome bonuses for its gambling products. Sports bettors can also benefit from another welcome promotion after making their first deposit with an accepted cryptocurrency. Other payment methods accepted by Bovada include Mastercard and Visa credit cards, Bovada vouchers, checks, and Zelle.

  2. Karamba

    Karamba logo
    Review
    Licenses
    Min Deposit
    €/£/$10
    Min Withdrawal
    €/£/$10
    Withdrawal Time
    Pending period: 1-2 days; Up to 3 days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoNeteller logoSkrill logoPayPal logoPaysafecard logoTrustly logoBank Transfer logoPay4Fun logoBoleto logoAstropay logoMiFinity logoecoPayz logoJeton logoNeosurf logoInstant banking logoMuchBetter logoRevolut logoItaú Unibanco logoBanco do Brasil logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes; Email: support@karamba.com
    Chart loading...
    • Licensed by reputable authorities
    • Diverse selection of sports
    • Single, combi, and system bets allowed
    • Extensive selection of racing events
    • Karamba Battle feature
    • Customer support available from 08:00 CET to 00:00 CET

    Having added a sportsbook to its portfolio in 2018, Karamba is still considered a newcomer to online sports betting. However, the quality of its service has attracted a growing number of registered users year after year. The main reasons for this growth are its extensive sports coverage, variety of supported payment methods, and licenses from reputable regulatory bodies.

    Punters who create accounts with Karamba can access the platform through its main betting site and downloadable or browser-based applications. More than 30 disciplines are available, with the most popular including soccer, horse racing, greyhound racing, tennis, basketball, and American football. Most of the featured horse races are held in Europe, although events in the US and other regions also receive solid coverage. Clicking the relevant odds adds a selection to the betslip, which automatically calculates the potential payout after the stake is entered.

    Karamba’s platform is available in seven languages: English, German, Norwegian, Finnish, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Payment providers supported by the bookmaker include Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, AstroPay, and Interac.

  3. bet365

    bet365 logo
    Visit Review
    Licenses
    Min Deposit
    $/€5-10
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€5-10
    Withdrawal Time
    Cards, E-wallets, Paysafecard: 1-4 hours; Apple Pay: instant; Wire Transfer: 1-2 banking days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoNeteller logoSkrill logoSkrill 1-Tap logoPayPal logoPaysafecard logoTrustly logoBank Transfer logoInstadebit logoiDebit logoAstropay logoInterac logoApple Pay logoMaestro logoiDeal logoKlarna  logoMiFinity logo
    Sponsorships
    UEFA Champions League
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes; Email: support.eng@customerservices365.com; Phone: 00 800 1236 5365
    Facebook profileX profileLinkedIn profile
    Chart loading...
    • Widely known betting operator
    • Lots of currencies accepted
    • Fee-free transactions
    • Huge selection of sports
    • Many horse racing events
    • Plenty of bonuses and promotions

    bet365 is a licensed global online bookmaker that accepts transactions in local currencies and offers an extensive sports selection and a strong horse racing section. With over 30 disciplines available for betting and payment solutions tailored to different types of punters, it is easy to see why bet365 attracts betting enthusiasts from around the world.

    The platform provides bettors with convenient tools through a collection of advantageous betting features and allows users to read relevant information in their preferred language. The online sportsbook has 20 language versions and offers features such as Best Odds Guaranteed, Price Promise, Cash Out, and Bet Builder.

    bet365 is one of the few online bookmakers to feature horse races held in South America and Asia, in addition to the usual destinations of the UK and Ireland, Australia, the US, and South Africa. For the Cheltenham Festival, the bookmaker accepts wagers on 18 of the 28 races, including the four showcase events. The Winner market remains open, while other markets are available on request.

  4. Sports Interaction

    Sports Interaction logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    Min Deposit
    $10
    Min Withdrawal
    $10
    Withdrawal Time
    • Bank cards - 3-5 banking days • E-wallets - within 8 hours • Bank Transfers - 3-5 bankig days • Instant Banking - instant
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoecoPayz logoPaysafecard logoNeosurf logoMuchBetter logoInterac Online logoiDebit logoInstadebit logoeCheck logoApple Pay logoInterac logo
    Sponsorships
    NHL
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes email: Contact Us Form Phone: N/A
    X profileInstagram profileYouTube chanelTikTok profile
    Chart loading...
    • Highly ranked online bookmaker
    • Lots of bet types available
    • Strong coverage of sports popular in the US
    • Various payment methods
    • Several gambling products
    • Minimum legal age: 19 years

    Sports Interaction (SIA) is a respected online gambling brand that has served the Canadian market since 1997. Although SIA’s portfolio is broad and includes casino, poker, games, and other sections, its undisputed flagship product is the sportsbook. Given the strong interest in horse racing, the operator allows punters to access events through either the general list of sports or a separate racebook.

    The platform has a clear focus on North American sports. Football, baseball, and golf are listed among its most popular options. The bookmaker also provides solid coverage of other disciplines, particularly soccer leagues and tournaments. The exact horse racing selection is difficult to determine because Sports Interaction only displays races on which it is currently accepting bets. As a result, the racebook may be empty one day and packed with events the next.

    Five of the seven bonuses and promotions offered by SIA relate to sports betting. These include a refer-a-friend offer with no limit on the number of new users you can invite, a generous welcome bonus, and daily odds boosts. The selection of payment methods is also varied. Mastercard and Visa cards, Paysafecard vouchers, ecoPayz, iDebit, Interac, and Instadebit are accepted.

  5. Betway

    Betway logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    Min Deposit
    $/€10
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€10
    Withdrawal Time
    • E-wallets - up to 24 hours • Debit cards and bank transfers - 2 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoNeteller logoSkrill logoPayPal logoPaysafecard logoTrustly logoSofort logoFlexepin logoNeosurf logoInterac logoMuchBetter logoBancontact logo
    Sponsorships
    Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Manchester City FC, Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Atletico Madrid FC
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes; Email: support@betway.com; Phone: varies according to country
    LinkedIn profile
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    • Reputable betting operator
    • Extensive sports coverage
    • Country-specific promotions
    • Detailed statistical information
    • Sponsor of the Queen Mother Champion Chase
    • Accepts US bettors from 7 states

    Betway is a suitable option for avid horse racing punters looking for a bookmaker with a strong focus on the sport. It has compiled an extensive online racebook covering events in the US, Europe, Asia, and South Africa. The brand is also the sponsor of the Queen Mother Champion Chase held on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival. For this major National Hunt racing event, Betway accepts wagers on 11 of the 28 races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Stayers’ Hurdle, the Arkle Novices’ Chase, and others.

    Betway aims to give horse racing punters access to as much relevant information as possible. The sportsbook provides extensive statistical and historical information covering its featured horse races and individual entrants.

    According to Betway’s website, the brand accepts US punters residing in AZ, CO, IN, IA, NJ, PA, and VA. In addition to its licenses from the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, the brand is monitored by regulators in Italy, Denmark, Spain, and other jurisdictions. Betway does not support cryptocurrency transactions but allows deposits and withdrawals through several e-wallets, including PayPal, as well as debit cards, bank transfers, and online banking services.

  6. 888sport

    888sport logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    Min Deposit
    $/€10
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€10
    Withdrawal Time
    • Visa and Apple Pay: up to 6 days • E-wallets and Rapid Transfer: 2-3 days • Wire transfer: 5-8 days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoNeteller logoSkrill logoPayPal logoPaysafecard logoTrustly logoNordea logoBank Transfer logoiDebit logoBoleto logoAstropay logoSofort logoecoPayz logoNeosurf logoWebMoney logoInstant banking logoInterac logoMuchBetter logoApple Pay logoRapid Transfer logoOp-Pohjola logoVerkkopankki logoPankkisiirto  logoLuxon Pay logo
    Sponsorships
    National Football League (NFL), Dundalk Football Club, Cardiff City FC
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes; Email: support@888sport.com; Phone: N/A
    LinkedIn profile
    Chart loading...
    • Well-established betting brand
    • 30+ sports
    • Local payment services accepted
    • $10 minimum deposit
    • Diverse selection of horse races
    • A handful of sports promotions

    Established in 1997, 888sport is a respected gambling brand with many loyal users around the world. Initially known as a casino and poker site, the brand added an online sportsbook to its portfolio in 2008. The sportsbook is backed by three key qualities: reliable licenses, a diverse sports selection, and plenty of payment options. In addition, 888sport has developed individual websites for users in Germany, Romania, Denmark, Ontario, Spain, Italy, and Sweden, along with seven language versions of its international platform.

    Among the more than 30 sports available for betting, several disciplines receive particularly extensive coverage, including horse racing, soccer, and tennis. The daily horse racing selection is very large, with some events scheduled less than five minutes apart. The featured regions include the UK, Australia, and the US. 888sport also allows users to bet on races rarely covered by other online sportsbooks, including events at Funabashi in Japan, Bangalore in India, and Las Piedras in Uruguay.

    Given the number of options, finding a particular horse race may be difficult unless it is a major event such as the Cheltenham Festival. Bettors may also want to find horses that meet specific criteria. In these situations, the Betfinder feature provided by 888sport can be useful. With 18 indicators, it can reduce more than a thousand potential selections to 30 or fewer.

  7. BetUSR

    BetUSR logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    No licensing information
    Min Deposit
    • Bitcoin - $20 • P2P - $100
    Min Withdrawal
    • Bitcoin - $25 • Bank Wire - $100
    Withdrawal Time
    • Bank Wire - 5 to 7 days (plus 2 days processing) • Bitcoin - 48 hours
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoBank Transfer logoBitcoin logoPlayer/Person-to-Person Transfer logoLitecoin logoMoneyGram logoEthereum logoAmerican Express logoTether logoBitcoin Cash logoSolana logoDogecoin logoBinance Coin logoShiba Inu logoCardano  logo
    Sponsorships
    Tramaine Williams at 2020 WBO 122lb World Championship • Jamel Herring in his 2021 fight vs. Carl Frampton
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes Phone: 1-844-444-BUSR(2877) Email: support@busr.com
    Facebook profileX profileInstagram profile
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    • Over 20 sports available
    • Excellent horse racing category
    • Racing and sports-related promotions
    • Very few withdrawal options
    • Three-channel customer support
    • Licensed in Curaçao

    In today’s online sports betting landscape, clean and simple web design without flashy banner ads is relatively rare. Many bookmakers try to display numerous options to their customers but clutter their homepages with information, making their platforms difficult to navigate. BetUS avoids both problems and has a large user base primarily composed of US-based punters.

    The sportsbook’s portfolio is not the largest on the market, but it is broader than those of many other locally focused betting platforms. Considerable attention is given to the NFL, MLB, and NBA, as these leagues attract large numbers of viewers and bettors in the US. Fans of sports that are more popular in Europe are not overlooked, as the soccer and tennis sections can compete with those of leading EU betting brands.

    The same simplicity is evident in the online racebook maintained by BetUS. When entering this section of the platform, users see eight featured races scheduled within the current 24-hour period, along with the next upcoming event. If you cannot find a suitable race, you can check the left column of the screen, which lists horse races in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa, and Sweden.

  8. BetOnline

    BetOnline logo
    Licenses
    Panama Gaming Control Board
    Min Deposit
    •Cards - $25; •Crypto - $10; •Money Orders - $300; •P2P - $100
    Min Withdrawal
    •Crypto - $20; •Wire Transfers and Courier Checks - $500; •P2P - $50; •Money Orders - $1,000
    Withdrawal Time
    •Wire Transfer - up to 15 days; •Courier Checks - Up to 15 days; •Crypto - 1 to 24 hours; •Money Orders - 7 days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoDiscover logoAmerican Express logoBitcoin logoBitcoin Cash logoEthereum logoBank Transfer logoLitecoin logoAvalanche logoBinance Coin logoCardano  logoDogecoin logoPolygon logoPlayer/Person-to-Person Transfer logoTether logoRipple logoShiba Inu logoSolana logoStellar  logoUSD Coin logoTron logoMoney Order logoCheck by Courier logo
    Sponsorships
    La Liga Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) Matchroom Sport Golden Boy
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: YesEmail: help@betonlinecs.agPhone: 1-888-426-3661
    Facebook profileX profileInstagram profileTelegram accountYouTube chanelTikTok profile
    Chart loading...
    • Easy-to-use betting platform
    • International horse racing coverage
    • Cryptocurrencies accepted
    • High withdrawal limit
    • Exclusive promotion for mobile betting
    • Customer support around the clock

    BetOnline is a trustworthy online betting platform with over 25 years of experience. This US-friendly bookmaker offers more than 20 sports, supplemented by Financials, Entertainment, Politics, and Lottery sections. Registered users can switch freely between the classic and modern versions of the brand’s website.

    Account registration takes only a few minutes, after which users can fund their balances through one of several payment methods. These include bank transfers, credit and debit cards, cryptocurrencies, and person-to-person transfers. Unlike many competitors, BetOnline does not restrict access to its financial terms and conditions. On the contrary, the relevant information is readily available to anyone interested.

    Gambling operators that focus primarily on one region do not always offer an extensive sports selection. BetOnline is an exception, accepting wagers on popular disciplines such as baseball, basketball, American football, golf, and soccer, as well as niche sports such as wrestling, darts, and handball. Popular US horse races are not the only events covered by the bookmaker. Punters can wager on most major international racing events, which appear on BetOnline’s website as soon as the bookmaker begins accepting bets.

Cheltenham Festival Betting Overview

Hosting races since 1860, the Cheltenham Festival is the highlight of the National Hunt season in the UK. In its modern form, the event takes place over four days every March at a racecourse in Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. In 2022, the races were attended by more than 280,000 avid fans, while millions watched the live broadcasts.

The Cheltenham Festival follows the general trend in horse racing, with many spectators also placing bets. A look at the winning odds over the years shows that Grade 3 handicaps produce winners with the highest average odds. At the other end of the scale are the most prominent Grade 1 events. The race with the lowest average winning odds is the Champion Chase, at a little over 9/2. The total amount wagered has increased in recent years, which is why bookmakers anticipate every edition of the Cheltenham Festival as eagerly as punters do.

Cheltenham Festival Highlights

Cheltenham Festival HighlightsThe number of horse races held during the Cheltenham Festival has changed many times, eventually reaching 28, distributed evenly over four days. Thousands of horse racing fans attend the event or watch broadcasts of Grade 1, 2, and 3 races, as well as ungraded events. The obstacles include hurdles, fences, and cross-country courses, while the schedule also features the NHF Champion Bumper. With very few exceptions, all races have sponsors, including online bookmakers, whiskey distilleries, investment consultancies, and other businesses.

Landmark Cheltenham Festival Races

Landmark Cheltenham Festival RacesAlthough all four days of the Cheltenham Festival feature high-quality racing, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday each have a showcase event that is more famous than the others and attracts the largest share of bets placed. These landmark events are shown in bold in the table below. First, we will provide a brief overview of each one.

  1. Champion Hurdle

    This is the final leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling and takes place on the first day of the Festival each year. Since its inauguration in 1927, the Champion Hurdle has become the most prestigious hurdling event of the National Hunt season, welcoming many of the most prominent horses in the sport’s history. Some of them, such as Hatton’s Grace and Persian War, have races named after them. The shortest-priced entrant to win the Champion Hurdle was Sir Ken, with starting odds of 2/5 for the second of his three consecutive victories.

  2. Queen Mother Champion Chase

    Initially known as the National Hunt Two-Mile Champion Chase, this Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase received its current name in 1980 in honor of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother on her 80th birthday and in recognition of her support for jump racing. Only one horse has won the race three times: Badsworth Boy, between 1983 and 1985.

  3. Stayers’ Hurdle

    The feature event on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival is one of the leading long-distance races, covering 4,785 m, on the National Hunt calendar. The Stayers’ Hurdle is probably the Festival showcase event with the most eventful and dynamic history. It was dropped from the program twice, from 1928 to 1929 and from 1939 to 1945, and has changed its name several times due to sponsorship requirements. The most successful partnership in the history of the Stayers’ Hurdle is that of Big Buck’s, one of the greatest staying hurdlers, and jockey Ruby Walsh, who won the race four times. Walsh has one more title to his name, having ridden the small horse with a big heart, Nichols Canyon, to victory in 2017.

  4. Cheltenham Gold Cup

    Sometimes referred to as the Blue Riband of jump racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is undoubtedly the most prominent National Hunt event. This steeplechase covers 5,294 m and includes 22 fences. It is also the non-handicap horse race in the UK with the highest prize fund: £468,750 in 2021. Golden Miller, the most successful horse to compete in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, was so dominant before his fifth successive victory in 1936 that bookmakers gave him starting odds of 1/10, meaning £1 in profit for every £10 wagered.

    2022 Cheltenham Festival Races
    TuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
    Supreme Novices’ HurdleBaring Bingham Novices’ HurdleGolden Miller Novices’ ChaseTriumph Hurdle
    Arkle Challenge TrophyBrown Advisory Novices’ ChasePertemps FinalCounty Handicap Hurdle
    Festival Trophy Handicap ChaseCoral CupFestival TrophySpa Novices’ Hurdle
    Champion HurdleQueen Mother Champion ChaseStayers’ HurdleCheltenham Gold Cup
    David Nicholson Mares’ HurdleCross Country ChaseCraft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate Handicap ChaseFoxhunter Chase
    Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap HurdleJohnny Henderson Grand Annual ChaseDawn Run Mares’ Novices’ HurdleLiberthine Mares’ Chase
    National Hunt Challenge CupChampion BumperFulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge CupMartin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

The Cheltenham Roar

The Cheltenham RoarEach of the major horse races in the world has its own distinctive atmosphere and traditions that are not directly related to the horses. At the Grand National and Melbourne Cup, these include extravagant hats, elegant dresses, and various culinary and musical events. Such factors also contribute to the spirit of the Cheltenham Festival, especially in the Guinness Village. However, the feature most likely to remain in the memories of those who attend or watch the races at Prestbury Park is the so-called Cheltenham Roar.

Around 70,000 avid horse racing fans attend each of the four Festival days. The Cheltenham Roar is the cry they make when the starter raises the tape just before the opening race of the annual event. Traditionally, this is the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, run on Cheltenham’s Old Course on Tuesday. The roar, which resembles the sound of a jumbo jet flying overhead, has become the unofficial starting signal of the Cheltenham Festival. It is an essential part of the event, although it is a display by the fans rather than something that affects the competition.

Tips for Successful Cheltenham Festival Betting

Tips for Successful Cheltenham Festival BettingBetting odds are not random numbers. They are based on bookmakers’ analyses, betting activity, and other relevant factors. However, your wagering approach and ability to consider factors specific to the event can improve your chances of making accurate predictions on a particular horse race. Below, we have listed some Cheltenham Festival betting tips to help you develop a suitable strategy. The more you know about the entrants, the better prepared you will be to make informed betting decisions.

  1. Do not put all your money on the first short-priced favorite that appears on the Festival schedule. This is not a single race but a four-day event, so it is more like a marathon than a sprint. As the Festival progresses, new and potentially valuable betting opportunities may emerge. Set a wagering budget based on the amount you can afford to lose and distribute it so that you can react to opportunities on each day of the event. Remember that the Cheltenham Gold Cup is held on Friday.
  2. It is worth keeping an eye on preliminary races. Cheltenham’s racetracks have unique characteristics, including the famous hill leading to the finish line. The Festival also has an intense atmosphere, with thousands of loud spectators eagerly supporting their favorites. For a horse to win, both physical and mental endurance are required. Watching how entrants perform on the same track before a showcase event can provide useful insight. Their form throughout the season leading up to the Cheltenham Festival is also important. Some bookmakers publish detailed statistics, so read the available information before placing your bets.
  3. Champions are not always bred in power yards. This advice emphasizes how important it is to know the horses and jockeys you are betting on. Large, well-funded stables probably provide better training facilities, but in handicap racing, talented small-scale trainers can produce surprising winners. As mentioned above, this horse racing category has the winners with the highest average odds.
  4. Pay attention to big market moves. In horse races of the caliber featured at the Cheltenham Festival, a significant amount of money usually needs to be wagered on a horse before its odds shorten noticeably. The event’s recent history includes many examples of winners that attracted increased interest from punters.
  5. Take advantage of the competition between online bookmakers. Rivalry among modern bookmakers is always intense, but it becomes even fiercer during a major sporting event such as the Cheltenham Festival. This competition can result in exclusive promotional offers and enhanced odds for specific horse races. Such features include Best Odds Guaranteed and additional each-way places.

Cheltenham Festival FAQ

  1. What is the difference between fences and hurdles in National Hunt racing?

    Both fences and hurdles are obstacles that horses must jump during a race. However, they differ in construction, height, and rigidity. Fences are used in steeplechase races and are larger and more solid than hurdles. Hurdles are usually made of brush, are relatively flexible, and have a minimum height of 3 ft 6 in. The height of fences ranges from 4 ft 6 in to 6 ft 6 in, with the maximum used in the Grand National and at the Cheltenham Festival.

  2. What is the oldest race in the Cheltenham Festival?

    The oldest race held within the current format of the Cheltenham Festival is the Stayers’ Hurdle. It was first run in 1912, with the winner receiving just £100. In 2021, the corresponding prize was £135,048.

  3. How can I know if I am wagering with the best possible Cheltenham odds?

    Some leading online bookmakers provide a feature called Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG). If a BOG-protected bet wins and the starting price is higher than the price available when you placed the wager, the bookmaker will calculate your payout using the more favorable price. If the odds shorten before the race begins, you will be paid according to the more beneficial odds available when you confirmed your bet.

  4. Which is the most successful horse in the Cheltenham Festival history?

    Until recently, the horse holding the record for the most consecutive wins at the Cheltenham Festival was Golden Miller. He won five Gold Cup titles in a row between 1932 and 1936. In 2014, this impressive achievement was surpassed by Quevega, who won the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle for the sixth time, ridden by Ruby Walsh.

  5. Is it possible for one horse to win both a Cheltenham Festival race and the Grand National?

    It is possible, but such an accomplishment is extremely rare. In nearly a century of coexistence between these two prominent UK horse racing events, the only entrant to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same year was the legendary Golden Miller in 1934.

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