How To Bet On Cheltenham 

By Alex Smith, Last updated Mar 23, 2024

Cheltenham is one of the world’s most famous horse races, and if you’re looking to bet on Cheltenham, this post is designed for you. At Cheltenham, plenty of action and different ways to place bets exist. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process so you feel confident when you put your money down!

We’ve got you covered, from learning the basics to understanding the odds. So, whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just starting out, this blog is your one-stop resource for Cheltenham betting tips and advice. Let’s get started!

History Of The Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival has a long and rich history. It started way back in 1860 as the National Hunt Meeting. It was a much smaller event back then – and it’s pretty much incomparable to the event we see today. The event is set in England’s small town – of the same name.

Over the years, the Cheltenham Festival has seen some incredible moments. One of the most famous races, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, began in 1924. It has produced some awe-inspiring champions, like Golden Miller, who won five times consecutively in 1930! Another iconic race is the Queen Mother Champion Chase, which began in 1959 and honors the late Queen Mother.

Today, the Cheltenham Festival is a four-day event that attracts the best horses, trainers, and jockeys worldwide. It features 28 races and offers a fantastic experience for horse racing fans and bettors. As the festival continues to evolve, its history remains vital to what makes it special.

How To Bet On Cheltenham

Whether you want to place Cheltenham bets online or in person, we’ve got you covered. This section will walk you through the steps to placing a bet. From finding a trustworthy sportsbook to choosing the right horse and betting market, we will cover all parts of the betting process – starting by looking at finding the most reputable horse racing sportsbook.

#1: Find A Reputable Horse Racing Sportsbook

To bet on Cheltenham, you first need to find a good sportsbook. However, with so many online betting sites today, this task can prove easier said than done. Generally speaking, we’d advise choosing one of the online casinos here at Casinomeister that also had a sportsbook. These sites have all been hand-picked by our team of online gambling experts and have passed a rigorous number of checks by our team.

However, if you want to find a site yourself, there are several things you should look at. Firstly, you should look for a reputable site; ensure a trustworthy online gambling regulator licenses it. Look at reviews and check what people are saying online. The Casinomeister has thousands of reviews from real players, so our forum is a great place to start!

#2: Find A Horse You Like

Once you’ve found an online betting site you like – or if you’re planning on live horse racing betting – it’s essential to research and choose a horse you like. Check out recent performances, trainers, jockeys, and the horse’s history at Cheltenham. 

Look for a horse with a strong track record, but also consider factors like the ground conditions and distance of the race. Trust your instincts, but don’t forget to use the information you’ve gathered. Many resources, like The Racing Post, offer a detailed analysis for free, letting you make informed decisions on which horse to pick!

#3: Choose Your Preferred Market

There are many ways to bet on Cheltenham, so pick the one that suits you best. You can bet on a horse to win or place a bet that a horse will finish in the top few positions. Placing an each-way bet is a solid option for those who want to minimize their risk. Other options include forecasts and tricasts.

We will cover the different ways of placing bets shortly, so don’t worry too much about figuring this out now, as we’ll walk you through all the different horse racing bets available step-by-step.

#4: Select How Much To Bet

Decide how much money you want to bet on a race. Betting should be fun; never risk more than you can afford to lose. Set a budget and stick to it. If you’re new to betting, start with small bets, and avoid chasing your losses.

Once you’ve selected how much you want to bet, input the amount onto your bet slip. You will then see the potential returns (if your bet is a winner) and the current odds. Be aware that odds can change quickly, so it’s best to confirm your bet quickly.

#5: Confirm Your Bet Selection

Before placing your bet, double-check your selection, the odds, and the amount you’re betting. Ensure everything is correct, and then confirm your bet. Keep track of your bets. Thankfully, all online betting platforms allow you to track and monitor all of the bets you’ve placed. Where applicable, you will also see cashout options available.

Different Types Of Horse Racing Bet

Betting on horse racing can be a lot of fun, but without understanding the different types of bets, you can place – markets – you’ll struggle to get the most out of your betting experience.

In this section of our guide, we will explain several popular types of bets you can place. By learning about the different betting options, you can choose the right one for you and place bets you feel comfortable with.

Win Bet

A win bet is the simplest type of horse racing bet. You simply pick a horse you think will win the race. If your horse finishes first, you win. The payout depends on the odds offered by the sportsbook for that horse. All betting shops will let you place win bets, although on-course bookmakers often give worse odds than those you’d find at online betting sites. Please note that Ante Post betting often offers better odds, although this can go both ways.

Place Bet

Place bets are similar, but a bit different from win bets. Instead of betting on a horse to win, you bet on a horse to finish in one of the first three, four, or five positions. The exact number of places depends on the race and the sportsbook. If your horse finishes within the specified positions, you win – although the payout will be lower than if you placed a standalone win bet.

Each-Way Bet

An each-way bet combines a win bet and a place bet on the same horse. It’s essentially two bets in one. You’re betting on your chosen horse to win and to finish in a top position. If your horse wins, you receive payouts for both parts of the bet. An each-way bet is usually recommended for high-risk bets, as it prevents losing out on a win when your horse finishes close second.

Exacta Bet

An exacta bet is when you predict the first two horses to finish the race in the correct order. It’s much harder to win these types of bets, but the odds – and potential payouts – are much higher.

Please note that if you’re using racecourse bookmakers, they may not always take Exacta bets. They can be quite time-consuming to figure out, odds-wise, and when there are multiple punters trying to place multiple bets at once, these bets can slow things down significantly.

Lucky 15 Bet

A Lucky 15 bet is a combination of 15 bets involving four horses. It’s generally seen offered at UK bookmakers and is often used by punters in soccer matches. A Lucky 15 Bet includes four single bets, six doubles, four trebles, and one four-fold accumulator. You only need one of your chosen horses to win to get a return, but the more winners you have, the bigger the payout.

Offline and online bookmakers offer Lucky 15 bets, although, at Cheltenham Festival races, you’ll usually need to place them online, as, like the Exacta bet, they’re pretty complex to place and can take some time to fill out.

Patent Bet

A patent bet consists of seven bets on three horses. This combination includes three single bets, three doubles, and one treble. With a patent bet, you can win even if just one of your horses is successful, but the more winners you have, the larger your payout will be.

Like the Lucky 15 bet, a Patent bet is usually seen more in the UK than in the US. However, if you bet on horse racing online at US bookmakers, you’ll see that some have started offering this.

Combination Tricast Bet

A combination tricast bet is a bet that involves selecting the first three finishers in a race but without specifying the exact order. It covers all possible orders, increasing your chances of winning. However, the potential payout will be lower than a straight tricast bet, which requires predicting the correct order.

Combination Tricast bets are usually seen in greyhound racing, but they’ve also become more popular in horse racing. It’s a nice alternative to slightly harder-to-predict combination bets – and it offers a much better payout than a straight win, for example.

What Is Ante Post Betting?

In the previous section, you’ll notice we talked about Ante Post betting several times. Ante-post betting, also known as futures betting, is a form of betting long before the scheduled start date. The term “ante-post” originates from the Latin phrase “ante,” meaning “before,” and “post,” meaning “after.” In essence, ante-post sports betting involves placing a bet on a future event, and while it applies to all sports, it’s most commonly associated with horse racing.

This type of betting is often popular with experienced punters as it offers potentially higher odds. That’s because the odds change the closer to an event due to changes in the market and the way bookmakers calculate their odds. If you place Ante-Post bets, you should always choose a bookmaker that offers Best Odds Guaranteed if the price worsens for you.

That’s because ante-post betting also carries a higher level of risk. Various things can change between when you place the bet and the event’s start date. These can include injuries to jockeys/horses, changes in the line-up – or even a total event cancellation. Unfortunately, most Ante-Post bets are subject to “all-in” rules. This means if you place a bet and your horse doesn’t race, you will not be refunded – like you are in almost every other case.

Tips And Strategies For Your Cheltenham Festival Bets

The Cheltenham Festival is exciting for horse racing fans and bettors. However, with so many races and betting options, it can be challenging to know where to start. To help you maximize your chances of success, we will look at some tips and strategies to follow in this section.

From comparing betting odds and researching horses and their jockeys to checking track conditions and monitoring betting markets, these strategies will allow you to make more informed betting decisions.

Compare Betting Odds

To maximize your potential returns, you should spend a fair amount of time looking at betting odds and ensuring you get the best odds. You see, different sportsbooks can offer highly-varying odds, and you’d be amazed at how much the odds can change depending on where you bet.

Naturally, this can significantly affect your potential payouts, which is why it’s so important to shop around and find the best odds available for your chosen horse or betting market. Doing this maximizes your potential winnings, even if you just place a small bet. Remember that odds can change frequently, so do this research when you’re ready to place a bet.

Thankfully, there are tons of free odds-checking websites which monitor the leading bookmakers in real time, scraping their odds information about horses and markets so that you can compare all the options yourself from a single page.

Research Jockey And Horse Form

To make smart bets at Cheltenham, it’s essential to research the horses and their jockeys in advance. We’d recommend starting by looking at recent performances and form to see how well they’ve done in previous races. Pay attention to their track records at similar events or courses – and look at their experience on the same track conditions and track length.

You should also look at the jockey’s experience and success rate. While this may seem like pretty basic information for experienced punters, those who are new to Cheltenham Racecourse, or betting in general, may not know this is important to look at.

Here at Casinomeister, we like the phrase “knowledge is power” when it comes to sports betting. Believe it or not, the previous form can tell you a LOT about how well a horse or jockey is likely to do in upcoming events, so it’s worth looking at.

Check Track and Weather Conditions

Weather and track conditions can significantly impact a horse’s performance in a race. Consider how the conditions may affect your chosen horse when betting at Cheltenham. Some horses perform better on soft ground, while others run better on firmer surfaces. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the weather forecast, as rain or strong winds may influence the outcome of a race. 

Of course, these two factors don’t just affect the horse, they also impact the jockey. This ties into the previous strategy – researching form – but how a jockey has raced in previous races with similar conditions is another good way to indicate how they may perform on the day.

Monitor The Markets

Finally, monitoring the betting markets for significant changes or trends is something more experienced punters can take into account. Sometimes, late-breaking news or a sudden shift in odds can reveal valuable information about a race or a specific horse. 

It can also indicate “money movement” – people wagering a lot of money on a certain horse. Bookies usually lower the odds of favorites to limit their liability when this happens. You can spot potential betting opportunities other bettors may have missed by watching the markets. 

However, this type of technique can be complex and should generally only be used by those who really know what they’re looking at, in our opinion. 

Horse Racing Bonuses and Promotions

When betting on horse racing events like the Cheltenham Festival, it’s essential to make the most of sportsbooks’ various bonuses and promotions. These bonuses and promotions can come in the form of free bets and other incentives, allowing you to place an online bet on the Cheltenham races without risking any (or as much) of your money.

Whether you’re looking to bet on Championship races, steeplechases, or hurdles, choosing the right online sportsbooks with promotions for new customers can be a fantastic way of minimizing the amount of money you personally have to wager!

Below, we will show you some of the most common bonuses and promotions you will find at sportsbooks online.

Free Bets

Free bets are a popular horse racing bonus offered by many sportsbooks. As the name suggests, a free bet allows you to place a bet without risking your own money. They can be offered to new customers or existing punters; most bookies offer special promotions around major meetings like Cheltenham. For example, you may need to deposit $30 to unlock a $10 free bet.

You might need to create a new account, deposit, or wager a set amount to qualify for a free bet. As always, before claiming a free bet and using it, read the terms and conditions of the offer.

We should also note that free and bonus bets don’t usually return your stake. This means it’s only the winning part of the bet you’ll actually get back if your selection is a winner.

Cashback Offers

Cashback offers are another attractive horse racing promotion that can help lessen the blow of losing bets, especially when placing bigger ones. While every bookie has their own cashback promos, generally speaking, it means that a sportsbook will return a percentage of your losses over a set time frame. This could include a day of racing or the entire event.

A cashback offer like this can help you recover some of your losses, especially if the cash is credited to your account as real money instead of bonus funds. If it’s the latter, be aware that you may need to place qualifying bets to ‘unlock’ the bonus and be able to make a withdrawal.

Risk-Free Bets

Risk-free bets are a type of promotion that allows you to place a bet without the risk of losing your stake. If your bet loses, the sportsbook will refund your stake, usually as a free bet. Sometimes, they may credit your account with bonus cash instead, although this is much rarer in our experience.

A risk-free bet is especially appealing to new punters, as it lets them place bets on outsiders – horses that are unlikely to win but have massive odds. Usually, minimum stake restrictions apply, and there’s always a maximum amount of money you can stake.

Matched Deposit Bonuses

Matched deposit bonuses are a common promotion sportsbook offer, and they’re almost always offered to new players only. As the name suggests, a matched deposit bonus means the sportsbook will match your deposit to a certain amount. For example, you’ll see many 100% matched deposit bonuses, up to X amount – which means the amount the bookmaker will double your deposit.

While matched deposit bonuses are much more common at online casinos, it’s not unheard of to see them offered at sportsbooks, too. Bonus funds from matched deposit bonuses can usually be used on all the races at Cheltenham, but sometimes, there may be specific promos that can only be used on a given race.

Another point about matched deposit bonuses is that wagering requirements almost always apply. This means you’ll need to place more bets in order to complete the wagering requirements, which is something not everyone will want to do.

Casino-Combined Bonuses

Some sportsbooks also offer casino-combined bonuses, which combine horse racing promotions with offers related to their online casino. These bonuses are designed to entice new players to begin playing casino games – so it’s a marketing tactic for the casino more than anything else.

However, you can use these to your advantage. You may claim free spins on a video slot or a matched deposit bonus in the casino. If you like to gamble on casino games anyway, it’s a useful offer to look out for.

Other Notable Horse Racing Meetings

In addition to the Cheltenham Festival, numerous prestigious horse racing events are held yearly, attracting the best horses, jockeys, and trainers. These meetings offer tons of entertainment for punters and great betting potential – especially if you can claim Best Odds Guaranteed promotions!

Below, we will look at other major races you’ll find worldwide.

The Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby, known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” is an iconic American horse race held yearly at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Since it started in 1875, the race has been the market leader in the world of thoroughbred racing in the United States. The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown. The second and third legs include the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

The race takes place over a distance of 1.25 miles, and it’s open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. The event is famous for its high-class vibe, and its classy, glamorous atmosphere is iconic in horse racing.

Royal Ascot

The Royal Ascot, held at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England, is a prestigious horse racing event with a rich history dating all the way back to 1711. With its close ties to the British Royal Family, Royal Ascot is seen, by some, as the most upper-class horse racing event in the world. It takes place over five days in June. In total, there are 36 races, including eight Group 1 races.

The Gold Cup is, without a doubt, one of the key highlights of the festival. This challenging 2.5-mile race is one of the hardest, pushing horses and jockeys to their absolute limits. However, the quality is unrivaled – and it’s somewhere to see the best horse racing action in the world!

The Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s best-known horse race, which happens every year on the first Tuesday of November in Melbourne. It’s a 3,200-meter race for horses aged three and up, and since it was first established in 1861, it’s drawn in horse racing fans from all around Australia. In fact, it’s become so popular that it’s even a national holiday in some regions!

The race includes horses from all over the world, making it a big deal. With millions of dollars up for grabs, it’s one of the most financially-backed turf races. While it rarely attracts the attention of US riders, it’s a hotspot of Australian horse racing talent and is well worth checking out if you can get to Melbourne!

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Held at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is considered one of Europe’s most prestigious horse races. Established in 1920, the race is run over a distance of 2,400 meters and is open to thoroughbreds aged three and older. The Arc, as most people call it, takes place on the first Sunday of October and has a massive prize pool, attracting horses and jockeys from Europe and all over the world.

Some of the best racehorses, like Sea Bird, Mill Reef, and Enable, have competed in the Arc. With a beautiful setting and enthusiastic fans, it’s a must-see for horse racing lovers.

The Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup is one of the richest horse races in the world and takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the Meydan Racecourse. The race started in 1996 and is held on the last Saturday of March. It’s a 2,000-meter race on dirt, open to thoroughbreds from the Northern Hemisphere aged four and up and those from the Southern Hemisphere aged three and up.

The Dubai World Cup has attracted some of the best horses in history, including Cigar, Curlin, and Arrogate. Of course, being in Dubai, it’s known for being a luxury event, and celebrities flock worldwide to attend. With a multi-million-dollar prize pool, the event draws top-class international horses, too, and has become a significant fixture on the global horse racing calendar.

Most Popular Races at The Cheltenham Festival

As you already know, the Cheltenham Festival is one of the top horse racing events in the world. However, there’s a lot more than just the Championship Cup. In this section, we will show you five of the most popular races at the festival: The Unibet Champion Hurdle, The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, The Ryanair Chase, The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, and The Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

The Unibet Champion Hurdle

The Unibet Champion Hurdle is the feature race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. This Grade 1 race, run over a distance of 2 miles and 87 yards, includes eight hurdles for the horses to jump. Open to horses aged four years and older, the Champion Hurdle is considered the premier hurdle race of the season, and it’s also one of the oldest, starting all the way back in 1927!

Some of the most famous names in hurdling, such as Istabraq, Hurricane Fly, and Buveur d’Air, have claimed victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle. The race is known for its fast pace and thrilling finishes, and longer odds can often be found at ground-based sportsbooks and their betting partners due to the uncertain nature of the race.

The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase

The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase is the highlight of the second day of the Cheltenham Festival. This Grade 1 race is run over a distance of 1 mile, 7 furlongs, and 199 yards. There are a whopping 12 challenging fences for the jockeys to navigate. As a result, the Champion Chase is open to horses aged five years and above; it’s seen as one of the world’s top steeplechase events.

In fact, this event has seen some of the most legendary chasers in horse racing history, like Badsworth Boy, Moscow Flyer, and Altior, all displaying incredible performances.

The Ryanair Steeplechase

Taking center stage on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival is the Ryanair Steeplechase. This Grade 1 race is contested over a distance of 2 miles, 4 furlongs, and 127 yards, with 17 fences to be jumped. Open to horses aged five years and older, the Ryanair Steeple Chase is a highly competitive race showcasing the best middle-distance chasers. As the name suggests, this race is sponsored by Europe’s leading low-cost airline, Ryanair, based out of Ireland.

It’s a fast-paced, action-packed face, and you can often find high starting price offers, as there are often more than 30 horses racing at once! Daily odds boosts, bonuses, and promotions are also commonly available in this race.

The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 race that takes place on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival. Again, as the name suggests, Paddy Power, one of the UK and Ireland’s largest and most well-known bookmakers, sponsored this race.

Run over a distance of 2 miles, 7 furlongs, and 213 yards, the race features 12 hurdles and is open to horses aged four years and older. The Stayers’ Hurdle is a major test of stamina and determination, as the horses must maintain their speed and jumping ability over a longer distance.

It’s an incredibly tough race for horses and their jockeys, but the large prize pool can make the effort well worth it.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious race at the Cheltenham Festival and one of the most iconic races in the horse racing world. Held on the festival’s final day, the Gold Cup is a Grade 1 race that covers a distance of 3 miles, 2 furlongs, and 70 yards, with 22 fences for the horses to tackle. The race is open to horses aged five years and older, and the winner is often considered the ultimate champion of the National Hunt season.

The Gold Cup has been won by some of the best horses in history, including Arkle, Golden Miller, Kauto Star, and Native River. It also offers the largest prize of any race at Cheltenham.

How To Watch Cheltenham Races Live

Whether you want to watch the Championship Race or check the status of your bets at Cheltenham, watching live has never been easier. Today, thanks to multiple streaming services, viewers can tune in worldwide. Below, we’ll look at some of the best ways to watch the event.

Television Broadcast

Television broadcasts are among the most popular ways to watch the Cheltenham races live. In the UK, ITV holds the broadcasting rights for the Cheltenham Festival, which means those based in the UK or those with an online ITV account can tune in for free.

ITV’s coverage offers expert analysis, interviews, and live racing action. ITV also broadcasts in HD, so if you have a premium TV subscription, you can enjoy the close-up action in even more detail!

Online Streaming

If you prefer watching the races online, several streaming services offer live coverage of the Cheltenham Festival. ITV’s official website, ITV Hub, provides a live stream of their broadcast, although it is only available for UK citizens with valid television licenses.

For international viewers, Racing TV and other dedicated horse racing streaming platforms may offer coverage of the Cheltenham races. However, some streaming services may require a subscription or a one-time payment to access their content.

Bookmaker Websites and Apps

Many bookmakers also provide live streaming of horse racing events, including the Cheltenham Festival, to their customers. To access the live stream, you will usually need to have placed a bet on the event. Thankfully, the minimum bet required to access the live stream is generally just $1.

Major bookies like Bet365, Paddy Power, and William Hill are known for their live-streaming abilities and offer bonuses and promotions to new customers. In our opinion, it’s a great way of watching the action and claiming free bets and other promos!

On-course Experience

Nothing beats the excitement and atmosphere of watching the Cheltenham races live in person! Attending the Cheltenham Festival in person allows you to soak up the unique atmosphere, cash out your winning tickets, and get as close to the action as possible!

However, getting tickets isn’t always easy; many are reserved for members and sponsors, and if you want a box or booth, you should expect to pay thousands of dollars! However, ground entry is available, although we would still recommend booking well in advance as it sells out fast!

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