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Latest Cheltenham Free Bets
The greatest horse racing festival on earth deserves the best betting offers! We constantly refresh this page so you can always find the latest offers from all our trusted and reliable bookmaker partners.
Claim your offer and get ready for an unmissable week of racing!
Top Cheltenham Festival Betting Offers for 2026
Finding the best betting offers is easy at Sporting Life, our dedicated team make sure that you can grab the best betting offers for Cheltenham on one simple-to-use page!
Whether you’re on the hunt for a new customer betting sign-up offer or an existing customer looking to grab some generous free bets offers, you can rely on us to bring you the best value from our partners.
Betting Sign-Up Offers for Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival is a huge week for bookmakers, bettors and fans alike. You will find the most generous free bet offers and welcome bonuses in the weeks before and during the festival.
Keep an eye out for our “Recommended Offer” and “Best Offer” tags used by our experts to indicate their favourite betting sign-up offers currently available.
What are the Best Cheltenham Betting Offers?
With so many bookmakers competing it can be difficult to find the best offers that you can trust and rely on. All our bookmaker partners offer complete transparency on their offers, meaning no tricks or hidden conditions that stop you getting your free bets.
We only ever post betting offers from brands that meet our high standards of customer satisfaction, protection, and security.
How to Bet on Cheltenham
Every day of Cheltenham is jam-packed with incredible racing and mean you have loads of opportunities to use your free bets. Making sure you get the most out of your free bets can be difficult with so many options, check out some advice from our tipsters below:
Look for bigger prices to bet each-way on
Each-way betting is a great way to try and land some profits on bigger prices. You don’t need to win the race to get a return!
Competitive Handicaps offer better odds
It is common to see short-priced favourites in Graded races, but handicaps level the playing field with horses carrying difference weights. This helps bettors get some better prices, especially in the races with lots of runners!
Don’t just back the favourites
It can be tempting to just back favourites, but Cheltenham has a rich history of outsiders and upsets! It’s also good to remember your free bets aren’t returned in your winnings so short prices can be a waste of your bonus.
Pay attention to form
All our bookmaker partners show recent form, in their races it can be seen just below the horse’s name and is a series of numbers and letters. Find out how to read form on our Racing Free Bets Page.
How to Claim Free Bets for Cheltenham
Claiming free bets for Cheltenham is easy! Simply look through our best betting offers and find the one that works best for you. Whether you are completely new to betting or an experienced bettor looking for free bets, you can find it all on this page.
Where to Find the Best Cheltenham Betting Offers
You can grab the best betting bonuses and free bets for Cheltenham right here on Sporting Life! This page is your must-have Cheltenham companion to make sure you get the most out of your Cheltenham betting experience.
Making the Most of Your Cheltenham Free Bets
Free bets are a great way to have fun during the Cheltenham Festival without having to stake much of your own money. A generous welcome offer could give you £50 in free bets and set you up nicely for the week.
Most free bets will have an expiry date between 7-30 days, but Cheltenham betting offers may expire at the end of the festival so make sure you check the expiry date to not leave any free bets unused.
Free bets let you bet without staking your own money, but the catch is your free bet value isn’t returned with your stake. This means betting on short prices with free bets can return less than the value of the free bet!
Bettors tend to use free bets for slightly bigger prices or more ambitious accumulators as it allows for a bigger return without risking their own money. Cheltenham is a great opportunity for this with plenty of upsets, in 2024 Stellar Story won the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at 33/1!
Types of Cheltenham Race
With so many races taking place, it can be a bit overwhelming to know the difference in the types of races at Cheltenham. You can check out the different disciplines and types of races below:
What is a National Hunt Flat Race?
A National Hunt Flat Race is run under the same rules and procedures as other jumps races, but without any jumps on the course. It is used to introduce young horses to racing and prepare them for their careers. They are also referred to as “Bumpers”.
The Champion Bumper at Cheltenham is the only National Hunt Flat race during the festival and is the final race on Wednesday.
What is a Hurdle Race in Horse Racing?
Hurdles are one of the obstacles horses can jump during a jumps race. They are smaller and are more forgiving to mistakes than fences, as they simply fall over if hit by the horses.
Most horses start their careers over hurdles, with some progressing to jump larger obstacles in chase races, known as fences, and other remaining as hurdlers, such as Constitution Hill, who is widely regarded as the best hurdler currently in training.
What is a Chase in Horse Racing?
A chase is the next progression for many horses and involves jumping fences rather than hurdles. Fences are taller and made from a mixture of birch or spruce branches. They are more difficult and require greater skill from both horse and jockey.
The most famous jumps races, such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National, are chase races and the distance can vary between around 2 miles and 4 miles. There are plenty of chase races at the Cheltenham Festival, including the Champion Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
What is a Cross Country Chase in Horse Racing?
A cross-country chase is a unique type of chase that involves different obstacles to jump, rather than uniform fences. The Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham involves challenges such as uneven fences, jumps up to higher ledges, or the famous Aintree fences which are made from piled leafy branches rather than bare bunched sicks.
It is a unique test of stamina and is the race with the most jumps at the festival, taking place over 3 miles and 5 furlongs.
Free Cheltenham Betting Tips
Our team of experts are your must-have guides to the Cheltenham Festival. With years of experience picking apart races and finding the best value you can follow all their tips completely free on Sporting Life.
Once you’ve got your free bets head over the Cheltenham Tips Centre to see the latest tips from the team, including antepost selections!
When is the Cheltenham Festival?
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival starts on Tuesday 10th March and runs until Friday 13th March. It takes place every year in March, but the exact week can vary.
Where is the Cheltenham Festival?
The festival takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse, located near the town of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire.
What are the Cheltenham Championship Races?
The Championship races is used to refer to the headline race on each day of the Festival. These races are typically the most valuable and hotly contested, featuring the best horses in each discipline.
Tuesday – Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
Wednesday – Queen Mother Champion Chase
Thursday – Stayers’ Hurdle
Friday – Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase
What is the Best Cheltenham Enclosure?
Cheltenham has three main enclosures, as well as various other hospitality packages and experiences during the Festival. The three enclosures are listed below, with the cheapest enclosure first:
The Best Mate Enclosure – The cheapest enclosure, seen on the other side of the track to the main stand and finishing line. It still offers good views of the finishing line but does not include access to the same bars, betting options, or the parade ring.
Tattersalls Enclosures – Probably the most popular and busiest of the enclosures during the Festival. You get views in front of the main stand from beyond the finishing line and access to the parade ring and ever popular Guinness Village.
Club Enclosure – The most expensive of the main enclosures and offers the most space and best views of the run up the famous Cheltenham hill. Also has access to the parade ring and Guinness Village like Tattersalls.
What Should I Wear to Cheltenham Festival?
The typical Cheltenham attire will vary by enclosure and by day of the Festival. Cheltenham’s official line is “Dress to feel your best” giving racegoers plenty of choice in how they dress.
Throughout the week a smart casual approach wouldn’t look out of place in the crowd but on Style Wednesday and Gold Cup Friday racegoers tend to dress their best, however this isn’t mandatory.
Cheltenham advises breaching the below two rules may result in refused entry:
- No offensive fancy dress
- No club kits or football shirts
For more information or inspiration, you can view the Cheltenham Dress Code guide on the racecourse’s site
Is Cheltenham Festival Expensive?
Cheltenham Festival is the highlight of the jumps racing calendar and as such is one of the more expensive race days in the UK calendar. The price for each day and enclosure varies, with Gold Cup Day the most expensive and popular day to attend.
Overall, food and drink prices are comparable to other sporting events and arena shows. Pints of beer cost between £7-£8, single spirits start from £7 depending on brand, and wine is closer £10 per glass.
With regards to food, options on course are incredibly varied and plenty but again are as expensive as food in stadiums, with a burger and chips likely to cost close to the £15-£20 mark.
How Many Races are There at Cheltenham?
The Cheltenham Festival has a total of 28 races. It was first expanded to 4 days in 2005 and has since grown to have 7 races on each day.
How can I Watch Cheltenham Festival for Free?
ITV typically show 24 of the 28 races at Cheltenham, with the final race of each day typically not covered by ITV – but the exact schedule has not been announced yet. This means streaming through ITVX will also be available for free in the UK.
If you want to watch on the go or to ensure you catch every race, all our bookmaker partners offer livestreaming of races shortly before the race time. In order to do this, you usually will have had to place a bet within the last 7 days, terms for streaming with each bookmaker can be found on their website.
The other way to watch all the racing is through RacingTV, the primary distributor of racing in the UK and will cover every race. Around the Festival you can usually claim a trial period or discount to cover all the action.
Cheltenham Festival Race Schedule*
*Sponsorships and race order may be subject to change
Tuesday 10th March 2026
13:20 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
14:00 – My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
14:40 – The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier handicap)
15:20 – Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
16:00 – Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)
16:40 – TrustATrader Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
17:20 – The Princess Royal National Hunt Novices' Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
Wednesday 11th March 2026
13:20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
14:00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
14:40 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
15:20 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
16:00 – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
16:40 – The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
17:20 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race)(Grade 1)
Thursday 12th March 2026
13:20 – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
14:00 – Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
14:40 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
15:20 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
16:00 – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
16:40 – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
17:20 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amatuers’ Handicap Chase
Friday 13th March 2026
13:20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
14:00 – William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
14:40 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)
15:20 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
16:00 – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
16:40 – St James’s Palace Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
What Does Antepost Mean?
Antepost betting is betting on a race before the declarations are announced, meaning there is no certainty if the horse will run that race at Cheltenham or if the horse gets injured and can’t run.
Antepost markets allow bettors to find much bigger prices than on the day, as they will be able secure a price before any subsequent performances. For example, if you bet on a horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup at 20/1 in September, then it subsequently wins 2 big races the price will shorten with each win.
The markets carry considerably more risk but bettors can be rewarded with significantly bigger prices than available on the day of the race.
What is Non-Runner No-Bet?
Non-Runner No Bet is a promotion growing in popularity among bookmakers. It reduces the risk to bettors and their antepost bets placed after the promotion is live, which is usually in January. If your selection does not run in the race, it is settled as a Non-Runner and you get your stake back (excluding free bets).
For example, if you bet £10 on Lossiemouth to win the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle and instead she runs in the Champion Hurdle, you would get your stake back once both races have been run.
What is Best Odds Guaranteed?
Best Odds Guaranteed is a promotion that helps ensure bettors get the best price possible on their selection. If your bet wins, it will be settled at the starting odds if they are bigger than the odds you placed the bet at.
The promotion is not available for all bookmakers and usually only takes effect on bets placed after 8am or 9am (depending on bookmaker). Of our partners, Paddy Power offers Best Odds Guaranteed as long as you are opted in, while Sky Bet offers it to customers who qualified for Sky Bet Club the week before.
For example, if at 11am you placed a bet on a horse to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at 3/1 and at the time the race starts it has drifted to 7/1, your bet would be settled at 7/1.
It is important to check the terms and conditions with each bookmaker to ensure you aren’t disappointed.
What Does Extra Places Mean?
In horse racing there are industry standards for how many places bookmakers will pay on each-way bets based on the number of runners. As a bonus most bookmakers will offer races where they offer to pay out on more places, sometimes as many as 7 or 8.
One of our partners, Sky Bet, offer the most extra places in the industry and are a favourite of bettors looking to land bigger prices on each-way bets.
What is the Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer?
The Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer award is given to the trainer with the most wins at the Cheltenham Festival each year. Willie Mullins has dominated the award over the last decade, adding the 2024 title with 9 winners.
Below are the last 10 winners of Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer award and how many wins they had that year:
2025: Willie Mullins (10)
2024: Willie Mullins (9)
2023: Willie Mullins (6)
2022: Willie Mullins (10)
2021: Willie Mullins (6)
2020: Willie Mullins (7)
2019: Willie Mullins (4)
2018: Gordon Elliott (8)
2017: Gordon Elliott (7)
2016: Willie Mullins (7)
2015: Willie Mullins (8)
If there is a tie, then number of seconds are counted as a tie breaker.
What is the Top Festival Jockey?
Similar to Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer, this award is given to the jockey who rides the most winners at the Festival. As Paul Townend is Willie Mullins’ stable jockey, he has shared in the success of the trainer.
The last 10 winners of the Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey award are below as well as how many wins they had:
2025: Paul Townend (4)
2024: Paul Townend (6)
2023: Paul Townend (5)
2022: Paul Townend (5)
2021: Rachel Blackmore (6)
2020: Paul Townend (5)
2019: Nico de Boinville (3)
2018: Davy Russell (4)
2017: Ruby Walsh (4)
2016: Ruby Walsh (7)
2015: Ruby Walsh (5)
If there is a tie, then number of seconds are counted as a tie breaker.
What is the Prestbury Cup?
The Prestbury Cup is a competition between the British and Irish trainers at the Cheltenham Festival to see who can have the most winners, with Paddy Power often playing up the rivalry the Irish have dominated in recent years.
Great Britain haven’t won the Prestbury Cup since 2015, the closest they have come was a tie in 2019.
