Updated Monday 14th March 2019!
This week's Cheltenham Festival is the showpiece event of the National Hunt season packed full of the best jump horses around!
We summarise the key Cheltenham information you should be aware before you head into the biggest horse race betting week of the year!
When is Cheltenham Festival 2019?
Cheltenham Festival takes place over 4 days. Tuesday 12th March 2019 until Friday 15th March 2019. Racing starts at 1:30pm on each of the four days.
How can you watch Cheltenham Festival 2019?
ITV 1 will broadcasting the major races (first five races of the day) at Cheltenham Festival 2019. Racing TV will be showing every race over the four days of racing action.
The Cheltenham Festival Course
The racing is split between the old and new course. The old course is used for day 1 and 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. The new course is used for day 3 and 4. Day 1 & 2 is all about speed, where as day 3 & 4 is about stamina!
What are the major races at Cheltenham Festival 2019?
All races at Cheltenham are prestigious, however the really big races are:
- Champion Hurdle (Tuesday 12th March at 3:30pm)
- Champion Chase (Wednesday 13th March at 3:30pm)
- Ryanair Chase (Thursday 14th March at 2:50pm)
- Stayers Hurdle (Thursday 14th March at 3:30pm)
- Gold Cup (Friday 15th March at 3:30pm)
Cheltenham Festival 2019 Schedule
|
Tuesday 12th March 2019 (Champions Day) |
|
|
Time |
Race |
|
1:30pm |
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y |
|
2:10pm |
Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f |
|
2:50pm |
Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m 1f |
|
3:30pm |
Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) 2m 87y |
|
4:10pm |
OLBG Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 3f 200y |
|
4:50pm |
National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders' Novice Steeple Chase) (Grade 2) 3m 7f 147y |
|
5:30pm |
Close Brothers Novices's Handicap Chase (Listed) 2m 4f 44y |
|
Wednesday 13th March (Ladies Day) |
|
|
1:30pm |
Ballymore Novice's Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 5f |
|
2:10pm |
RSA Chase (Grade 1) 3m 80y |
|
2:50pm |
Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Grade 3) 2m 5f |
|
3:30pm |
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 99y |
|
4:10pm |
Glenfarcles Cross Country Chase 3m 6f 37y |
|
4:50pm |
Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 87y |
|
5:30pm |
Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) 2m 87y |
|
Thursday 14th March (St Patrick's Day) |
|
|
1:30pm |
JLT Novices's Chase (Grade 1) 2m 3f |
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2:10pm |
Pertemps Network Final (Grade 3) 2m 7f 213y |
|
2:50pm |
Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f 127y |
|
3:30pm |
Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y |
|
4:10pm |
Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (Grade 3) 2m 4f 166y |
|
4:50pm |
Trull House Stuf Mares Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 179y |
|
5:30pm |
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase 3m 2f |
|
Friday 15th March (Gold Cup Day) |
|
|
Time |
Race |
|
1:30pm |
JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 179y |
|
2:10pm |
Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 179y |
|
2:50pm |
Albert Bartless Novicess Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y |
|
3:30pm |
Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) 3m 2f 70y |
|
4:10pm |
St. James's Place Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup 3m 2f 70y |
|
4:50pm |
Johnny Hendrson Grand Annual Handicap Chase 2m 4f 56y |
|
5:30pm |
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey's Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 62y |
When are the Final Declarations?
Since 2018 Cheltenham Festival has a 48 hour declaration stage. It was also announced in February 2019 that horses will not be able to be declared for a race at the Cheltenham Festival if that horse already been declared or run another race at the event. Keep an eye out as news can drop at any minute!
Favourites for the Major Cheltenham Races
Best priced odds. All odds are correct at the time of publishing (12:00 3rd March 2019) and are subject to change.
Champion Hurdle (Tuesday 12th March at 3:30pm)
Buveur Dair - 2/1 with Betfair!
Champion Chase (Wednesday 13th March at 3:30pm)
Ryanair Chase (Thursday 14th March at 2:50pm)
Monalee - 5/1 with William Hill!
Stayers Hurdle (Thursday 14th March at 3:30pm)
Paisley Park - 7/4 with Coral!
Gold Cup (Friday 15th March at 3:30pm)
Presenting Percy - 4/1 with William Hill
Top Festival Trainer Winner
Best priced odds. All odds are correct at the time of publishing (22:00 13th March 2019) and are subject to change.
Nicky Henderson - 7/4 with Betfair!
Willie Mullins - 2/1 with Betfair!
Gordon Elliot - 5/2 with William Hill!
Paul Nicholls - 14/1 with Coral!
Joseph O'Brien - 40/1 with Coral!
Henry De Bromhead - 33/1 with Betfair!
Dan Skelton - 50/1 with Betfair!
Phillip Hobbs - 66/1 with William Hill!
Colin Tozzard - 66/1 with William Hill!
Current Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) & Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG):
- Betfair Sportsbook - NRNB on all races & BOG
- Betfred - NRNB on all races & BOG
- Bet Victor - NRNB on all races & BOG
- Boylesports - NRNB on all races & BOG
- Coral - NRNB on all races & BOG
- Paddy Power - NRNB on all races & BOG
- Sportingbet - Yet to be announced
- Unibet - NRNB on all races & BOG
- William Hill - BOG
Useful Information - How to Bet!
What are the best betting offers for Cheltenham Festival 2019?
If you like a betting offer then you'll love the Cheltenham Festival. The four day spectacular is a great time for making the most of your betting. Our comprehensive article on the latest and best Cheltenham Festival 2019 Betting Offers has everything you need to know! Check it out!
Enjoy the Festival! Good luck all!
Francois is one of Howtobet4free’s co-founders and has written many of Howtobet4free’s popular Betting Guides. Francois also helps run the @howtobet4free_ Twitter account
