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Terms & Conditions: 18+ ; New customers only ; Place a qualifying £25 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater ; No early cashout ; Free bets must be claimed within 28 days of opening ; Free bet stake not included in any winnings; Full T&Cs Apply ; 18+ begambleaware.org Full terms apply.
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Terms & Conditions: Valid for new customers aged 18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. No wagering required with Free Bet winnings. Maximum win with Free Bets is £500. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org. Full terms apply.
Claim Free Bets for Cheltenham Festival 2022
First, let’s discuss Cheltenham free bets. We know it’s what many of you are looking for. After searching for Cheltenham Festival free bets and reviewing the terms and conditions of each offer, we have compiled a list of the top offers for new customers.
Below we have more information on the best Cheltenham free bets. We encourage you to take advantage of each offer, if you don’t already have an account with the bookmaker in question.
bet365 Cheltenham Free Bets
There has never been a better time to join bet365! Sign up, deposit and bet at least £5 or £10, and you will receive five times that value in free bets. This means a qualifying deposit of £5 equals £25 in free bets, while a qualifying deposit of £10 equals £50 in free bets.
Once you meet the qualifying conditions, you can use your free bets by selecting ‘use bet credits’ in the bet slip. Although returns exclude your bet credits, these bet365 Cheltenham free bets will give you even more betting opportunities throughout the four-day festival.
Valid for new customers aged 18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org.
SportNation Cheltenham Free Bets
Founded in 2017, SportNation has emerged as one of the best horse racing betting sites in recent years. If you don’t already have an account, they’re giving you 25 reasons to get one. As a new customer who signs up and bets £25+ on any sport at minimum odds of Evens, you will receive five £5 free bets.
Your bets are split as follows: two £5 free bets are valid to use on horse racing, one £5 free bet is valid to use on enhanced odds/specials, one £5 free bet is valid to use on a bet builder, and one £5 free bet is valid to use on an accumulator.
Valid for new customers aged 18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. No wagering required with Free Bet winnings. Maximum win with Free Bets is £500. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org.
Cheltenham Festival Free Bet Offers Explained
It isn’t hard to find Cheltenham free bet offers, but the key is identifying those which offer the most value. That means bets which don’t require a deposit, those with low wagering requirements, and so on. To get maximum value when betting on Cheltenham Festival races, you need to know the difference between the various types of Cheltenham free bets.
Here are six types of free bets available for Cheltenham Festival 2022:
Risk-Free Bet
When it’s done right, a risk-free bet is the best option. A risk-free bet is one whereby you can place a bet without having to use any of your own money. In the best-case scenario, this means you win real money with no withdrawal restrictions. However, some bookmakers may instead award bonus credits, which you must wager a certain number of times before being eligible to withdraw.
Matched Free Bet
A popular incentive for new customers, you can expect to see lots of matched free bet offers during Cheltenham. This offer means the bookmaker matches your bet to a certain amount. For instance, a £50 bet on Sharjah to win the Champion Hurdle may mean you qualify for a £50 free bet. Make sure you read the small print when claiming matched free bets, as some offers have strict terms and conditions.
Bet Refunds
Bet refunds are like a moneyback guarantee, where certain events mean you get your stake back either as cash or, more commonly, as a free bet. For Cheltenham betting offers, you may see a bet refund such as ‘money back if your horse falls’. If you bet £10 on a horse that falls, you will receive a £10 free bet.
Qualifying Free Bet
Qualifying bets are like matched free bets, except not necessarily on a 1:1 ratio. Instead, you must place a qualifying bet to unlock a free bet. For Cheltenham betting offers specifically, you may see something like ‘Bet £10 on the Cheltenham Gold Cup and get a £5 free bet’. Once you place a £10 bet on the biggest race of the week, you qualify for a £5 free bet.
Stake Returned as Free Bet
This is an increasingly common promotion, working in a similar way to bet refunds. However, with this type of free bet, bookmakers return your stake as a free bet. Again, this is usually based on an event. For instance, you may receive an offer such as ‘Stake returned as a free bet if your horse finishes second’. These offers are often available for the biggest Cheltenham races.
Stake Not Returned
Most free bets follow the ‘stake not returned’ model but are known asother terms such as ‘bet credit’ or ‘free betting token’. With these types of free bets, you only receive the profit on your winning bet, but not the stake itself. It’s a popular offer at UK horse racing betting sites, as it sways customers away from backing hot favourites and instead encourages them to take a punt on longshots.
Cheltenham Festival Betting Offers for Existing Customers
Now that you’re familiar with Cheltenham Festival free bet offers, you’re in prime position to get started. However, you may also be interested in learning about other types of Cheltenham betting offers you can take advantage of after creating an account and claiming a free bet.
Here’s an overview of six Cheltenham betting offers for existing customers:
Best Odds Guaranteed
When you make a Cheltenham bet with best odds guaranteed, you don’t need to worry as much about timing the market. Instead, you can place your bets and the bookmaker compares your price with the starting price. Whichever pays more is the price the bookmaker uses to calculate your return. This is great if you bet on a favourite whose odds drift as it edges closer to the start time.
Faller & Fail to Finish Insurance
When a bookmaker offers faller insurance or fail to finish insurance, it means they return your stake if your horse fails to make it across the finish line. For instance, if the horse pulls up or falls at a fence. This is a good backup, particularly if you’re betting a large amount on a favourite. But check the terms and conditions, as these insurance bets often have a maximum bet in place. And you may receive the insurance back as a free bet, instead of cash.
Enhanced Offers
Bookmakers use enhanced offers, or odds boosts, to encourage customers to bet on the biggest Cheltenham races. For instance, you may see an offer for a hot favourite like Tiger Roll to win at 20/1 instead of 2/1. These offers can seem too good to be true, so check the terms and conditions to review the strict betting limits and confirm whether your return will be cash or a free bet.
Extra Places
If you know when to bet each way, one of the most lucrative betting offers for Cheltenham and other major racing festivals is the ‘extra places’ offer. Depending on the bookmaker you choose and the number of runners, you may win when your selection places fifth, sixth, seventh and beyond. This increases your odds of betting on an outsider to place and winning some cash.
Through the Card
If you’re looking to stretch your balance and find something to keep you interested throughout Cheltenham, this betting offer is for you. Place a bet on the first qualifying race and the bookmaker will give you free bets on subsequent days throughout the festival. If you’re just starting out and have concerns about investing too much but still want to be involved each day, this is the perfect promotion for you.
Non-Runner No Bet
It might not sound like the most exciting prospect, but a non-runner no bet offer at Cheltenham could save you a lot of money. If you bet on a horse that fails to race, the bookmaker returns your stake – which is only fair, if you ask us.
Cheltenham Festival 2022: Day-by-Day Betting Guide
There are few festivals more highly anticipated than Cheltenham. From the famous Cheltenham roar to the Gold Cup, there’s so much to get excited about during one of the biggest horse racing events in the world.
This year’s festival runs Tuesday through Friday in the third week of March. That’s four days of elite-level horse racing in what is certainly the highlight of the jumps racing calendar – and we have expert betting tips for every race.
Day One Races – Champions Day (Tuesday 15th March)
The first day of the festival, also known as Champions Day, is always packed with plenty of excitement and entertainment on and off the racecourse. The highlight of the day is the Champion Hurdle, which has previously been won by history-making superstars like Hurricane Fly and Istabraq.
Want a tip for Champions Day? Read our Cheltenham Festival 2022: Day One betting tips.
Day Two Races – Ladies’ Day (Wednesday 16th March)
Known as Ladies’ Day, the feature race on day two of Cheltenham has a fitting name: the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Just shy of two miles in length and open to horses of five years or over, the race always features National Hunt superstars and presents ample betting opportunities.
Want a tip for Ladies’ Day? Read our Cheltenham Festival 2022: Day Two betting tips.
Day Three Races – St Patrick’s Day (Thursday 17th March)
To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style, why not take advantage of one of the many Cheltenham betting offers available from the best UK betting sites? The Ryanair Chase and Stayers’ Hurdle are the highlights on day three of the festival. As if the quality of racing wasn’t reason enough to tune in, the crowd is always in good spirits and many Irish-inspired visitors dress from head to toe in green.
Want a tip for St Patrick’s Day? Read our Cheltenham Festival 2022: Day Three betting tips.
Day Four Races – Gold Cup Day (Friday 18th March)
Day four of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival features the race you’ve all been waiting for: the Cheltenham Gold Cup. First run in 1924, the Gold Cup is one of the most anticipated races in the UK horse racing calendar, often referred to as the Blue Riband of jumps racing. Bookmakers always offer generous Cheltenham betting offers on day four of the festival, so keep your eyes peeled for a great offer.
Want a tip for Gold Cup Day? Read our Cheltenham Festival 2022: Day Four betting tips.
Our Top Tips for Cheltenham Festival Betting
If you’re looking for individual tips for each day of Cheltenham festival, you can follow the links to our daily betting guides above. But we know many of you will want to pick your own winners. So, here are four Cheltenham betting tips to help you profit from the four-day festival.
Cheltenham Course Form
Many horses return to Cheltenham year after year, and anybody who isn’t paying attention to a horse’s previous form is missing out on crucial information.
You only have to look at recent results in the Gold Cup to see how important this can be: Al Boum Photo won back-to-back in 2019 and 2020, then came third in 2021. Kauto Star won the Gold Cup in 2007 and 2009 (coming second in 2008), while Long Run took two consecutive third-place finishes directly after winning in 2011.
Cheltenham Handicaps
Picking a horse based on previous Cheltenham form alone isn’t enough; you must consider its current handicap. If a horse is perceived to have a far superior ability and terrific form over its competitors, it is more likely to receive a higher handicap and therefore will need to carry a higher weight, slowing it down during the race.
This keeps races competitive, helping to stop a select few horses blowing the rest away. Make sure you check out the list of handicaps, which are traditionally announced a couple of weeks before the festival.
Find Value Bets
Some races won’t offer much value. For instance, there may be only three or four horses with one being a red-hot favourite. For more value, bet on races with more horses. You can also take advantage of Cheltenham betting offers like ‘extra places paid’, then bet on a horse with longer odds to place. You may receive a better return than backing the outright winner.
Check the Weather Forecast
Certain horses perform better in adverse conditions, and the weather can have a major impact on the outcome of races. The British weather is notoriously unreliable, so keep an eye on weather reports right up until the day of the race. If there’s a hot favourite who prefers dry ground but will suddenly have to navigate a number of fences on a soaking wet course, you may want to consider backing an outsider to cause an upset.
Cheltenham Festival Betting Trends and Statistics
They say numbers don’t lie. We’ve put that theory to the test by highlighting some of the most telling Cheltenham trends and statistics for the four biggest races of the week over the past decade. Who knows, they might help you pick a winner?
Champion Hurdle Betting Trends
- All winners aged 5-9, with seven-year-olds being most successful
- All winners had previously run in a Grade 1 race
- In the last 10 years, the favourite has gone on to win 50% of the time
- Willie Mullins is the most successful trainer of the last decade (four winners)
- All bar one of the last 10 winners had no headgear
Champion Chase Betting Trends
- 7-10 is the average age of winning horses, with nine-year-olds claiming the most wins
- All bar one winner had run four races or less that season prior to the Champion Chase
- All winners had a Grade 1 victory under their belts
- All winners had raced at Cheltenham two or more times previously
- Only one horse took down the Champion Chase as their first win of the season
Stayers’ Hurdle Betting Trends
- All winners aged 6-9
- Most winners (8/10) had already run a race of three milesor more
- 50% of winners last ran in the Cleeve Hurdle
- Trainer Willie Mullins has won two of the last five races, and placed another four over 11 years
- All winners had won at least two hurdle races, having raced in four or more
Gold Cup Betting Trends
- All winners aged nine or under
- All winners had already won at least one Grade 1 race
- All winners had previously raced at Cheltenham
- Most (9/10) had already won in a race of three milesor above
- All bar one winner wore no headgear
Cheltenham Festival Trainer and Jockey Betting Trends
Trainer and jockey trends are also worth reviewing when betting on the Cheltenham Festival, as the most powerful stables bring out the big guns for the highlight of the jumps season.
Here’s a table listing the top trainer and jockey for each Cheltenham Festival since 2012:
Cheltenham Festival Results and History
As discussed, looking at previous results can help with future predictions in major races. The following four tables list the winners of the four biggest races during the four-day festival. Besides listing the winning horse, trainer and jockey, we include the horse’s age and odds to help you identify any trends.
2022 Cheltenham Festival Tickets and Hospitality
Racegoers sink over 200,000 pints of Guinness at the Cheltenham Festival, pop more than 10,000 bottles of champagne, and consume over 30,000 hospitality meals. It’s about much more than just horse racing.
The Jockey Club offer a whole range of hospitality packages, including hotel stays and even helicopter transport to the racecourse. There are several Michelin star restaurants on the festival grounds and a boutique shopping village, with live entertainment from famous artists.
The cheapest single day tickets to the festival are £40, which gives you access to the Best Mate enclosure. From £65 you can get into the famous Tattersall’s enclosure where you’ll get a better view of the winning post. And from £80, you can get access to the more exclusive Club enclosure with prime viewing positions of both parade ring and winning post. These cheaper prices are accessible when you book for a group.
Alternatively, you can enjoy fine dining in a private box with a perfect view of the racecourse. However, the top private boxes go for around £900 per person, so you might need to back more than a few winners to pay for it!
Claim One of the Best Cheltenham Betting Offers
Now that you’re familiar with the biggest Cheltenham races, it’s time to claim one of the best Cheltenham betting offers.
Take your pick from any of the horse racing betting sites on this page, follow the link, and open an account to claim your offer. Then it’s time to pick a winner.
FAQs
It’s easy to bet on Cheltenham. First, join an online bookmaker with Cheltenham betting offers for new customers. Depending on the bookmaker, you may need to deposit to claim an offer. Next, navigate to the horse racing section and find the latest Cheltenham betting odds. Then pick a horse and watch the race.
All the best horse racing betting sites offer Cheltenham free betsto celebrate one of the biggest eventsin the racing calendar. Many Cheltenham free bets are exclusive to new customers, but you’ll also find special offers like odds boosts, extra places paid and other promotions for both new and existing customers.
Best odds guaranteed is always a great Cheltenham betting offer, as it ensures you get bigger odds if your horse begins to drift down the pecking order close to race time. Extra places is another lucrative offer, as it gives you a higher chance of getting paid when betting on an outsider to place.
The first official Cheltenham Festival was held in 1911. It was originally named the National Hunt Meeting and had regularly changed venue since the first National Hunt Chase was run in 1860. The meeting settled at Cheltenham in 1911 after an agreement between the National Hunt Committee and the Steeplechase Company, and it has remained at Cheltenham’s Prestbury Park ever since.
