Cheltenham Tips, Free Bets, Runners And Races

• 2023 Cheltenham Tips
• What Is The Cheltenham Festival?
• When Was The First Cheltenham Festival Held?
• Cheltenham Festival Races
• Cheltenham Festival Betting Tips
• What Can I Bet On At Cheltenham Festival?
• Cheltenham Festival Betting Markets
• Is There A Dress Code At Cheltenham Festival?
• Cheltenham Festival Summary

If you’re keen to learn more about the famous Cheltenham Festival, then we’ve compiled this guide to teach you all you need to know.

The bright lights, swanky outfits, and eyebrow-raising bets are part-and-parcel of this iconic horse racing event. However, just like when looking for Grand National tips, new bettors can understandably find Cheltenham a daunting event.

To help ease your worries, we’ll discuss the basic bets you’ll find at Cheltenham Festival, as well as some betting tips to keep in mind.

2023 Cheltenham Tips

Find Cheltenham 17th March tips for this year's festival.

Without further ado, let’s talk more about Cheltenham Festival - starting with the basics.

What Is The Cheltenham Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival is perhaps the most famous horse racing event in the United Kingdom. As the name suggests, the event takes place in the town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, attracting fans from all over the country.

Cheltenham Festival usually coincides with St. Patrick’s Day, which partly explains the festival’s popularity in Ireland. Casual and seasoned fans alike flock to the event in the hopes of landing a lucrative bet.

When Was The First Cheltenham Festival Held?

Cheltenham Festival dates back to 1860, during the reign of Queen Victoria. Over the last 160 years, the event has cemented its claim as the UK’s premier horse racing event.

The event went on hiatus during the World Wars, and was cancelled in 2001 due to an illness outbreak. The festival has a capacity of 67,500 people - making it an enormous spectacle for the local area.

Cheltenham Festival Races

There are several cups available at Cheltenham - including the ‘Big Four’ Grade I races which we’ll list down below.

Gold Cup

Perhaps the most famous race at Cheltenham Festival, the Gold Cup takes place at Cheltenham’s New Course - a track measuring 3 miles of 2 ½ furlongs.

You’ll find a significant number of Cheltenham bettors looking for reliable Gold Cup tips, and the chances are if you want to bet at this event, you’ve already had the Gold Cup in mind.

Champion Hurdle

Horses four years or older can compete in the famous Champion Hurdle - a Grade 1 National Hunt race taking place on Cheltenham’s Old Course.

The Champion Hurdle is a popular betting event for both casual and experienced bettors.

Queen Mother Champion Chase

The Queen Mother Champion Chase features horses over five years of age, and is another event that takes place on the Old Course.

Stayers’ Hurdle

The third day at Cheltenham Festival features the Stayers’ Hurdle - the leading long-distance hurdle event in the National Hunt’s calendar.

The Stayers’ Hurdle is the oldest event at Cheltenham Festival - dating back to 1912.

Now that you know the basics of the Cheltenham Festival, let’s talk about its famous betting scene.

Cheltenham Festival Betting Tips

Almost every fan is looking for reliable racing tips and Cheltenham is somewhat of a bettor’s paradise as it allows the punter to get highly creative with their bets. Millions upon millions of pounds are wagered across the 28 races, and the atmosphere of the festival is renowned.

Hundreds of bookmakers descend on the Cheltenham Festival every year, as this is an extremely busy time for them. For the new punter, the prospect of betting at Cheltenham can seem daunting, but, after reading our tips, you should feel much more confident.

What Can I Bet On At Cheltenham Festival?

Though most bettors will opt for an outright winner bet, there are several more betting markets available at Cheltenham - some more complicated than others.

Let’s explore the betting options you have, and you can decide which ones best suit you.

Cheltenham Festival Betting Markets

Let’s explore some of the many betting markets at your disposal at Cheltenham Festival.

Each-Way Bets

Each-way bets are popular at Cheltenham, and horse racing in general, as they allow the punter to make two separate bets on the same horse.

This betting market entails the punter betting their chosen horse to win outright in addition to finishing within a select number of places.

For example, you can bet that a horse finishes third, or finishes in the top three. That way, if your chosen horse is the runner-up in its race, then your each-way bet will still be a success.

Forecast Bets

Forecast bets aren’t as common as outrights or each-way bets, but they can be effective if you know how to use them.

They involve selecting two horses and deciding where they’ll finish. Forecasts are risky and they require a deep knowledge of the respective horses, but the longer odds on these bets makes them appealing to bettors.

Doubles

Using a doubles bet requires you to choose two selections for two different races. If all’s well and your bet comes in, then the odds will double as you’re making two bets.

Earnings can be lucrative, but risk is high in this market.

Is There A Dress Code At Cheltenham Festival?

The colourful and regal outfits at Cheltenham Festival have become well-known. As you can probably guess, a dress code is required for both men and women.

Gentlemen are encouraged to wear suits, whilst women are encouraged to wear formal dresses. Keep in mind, however, mud is commonly found underfoot due to the time of year, and that rainy days are more common than we’d all like.

It’s encouraged that you wear your best outfit possible, but don’t feel as though you need to spend a fortune on your attire.

Cheltenham Festival Summary

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the biggest horse racing events of the year, and it’s perhaps the quintessential betting event. With over 150 years of history behind it, its profile seems to grow from strength to strength

No matter what your knowledge level is, you can find a betting market suiting you. Keep in mind that a good chunk of the bettors there are casual fans, so there’s no need to feel daunted should you choose to place a bet.

Like any other sports event, betting on Cheltenham Festival should feel like a pleasure, not a chore. If, at any point, you find yourself panic-betting, then take a step back from the betting process and enjoy this historic event purely as a fan.