(2.5 minutes read)
The big day is finally here!
The talking is very much over and most of the bets may be down. Now begins the spectacle of four days of top-class National Hunt championship racing: Cheltenham Festival 2023!
In this fully comprehensive preview, we’ll provide you with everything you need whether you’re sat in front of the sofa or lucky enough to be heading to the track itself! We also preview the five ITV Racing televised races on Day 1 and point you in the right direction for all our latest offers and best Cheltenham Festival bets from our partner firms Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
Are you ready for the Cheltenham roar??
GETTING THERE AND OTHER DETAILS
BY TRAIN AND BUS
If you’re coming in by train from Birmingham New Street, a queuing system will be in operation so as to stop dangerous congestion on the platforms due to the sheer volume of racegoers heading to The Festival. Allow plenty of time.
Shuttle buses at Cheltenham Spa will be available on the station forecourt.
WARNING: There will be some disruption on Thursday 16th March due to scheduled train strikes. Please find alternative forms of transport if applicable.
WEATHER AND GOING
Official going will be Soft (Soft in places), and weather is set to be chilly with a light breeze. Wrap up warm!
TICKETS & GETTING IN
Tickets are now sold out entirely for Day 4 but there are tickets available in Club, Tattersalls and Best Mate at time of writing for Days 1, 2 and 3. Gates open at 1030am with first race at 1330.
ITV LIVE RACING
ITV 1 will be covering the first five races.
1:30
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m½f ITV
14 runners
2:10
Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m ITV
9 runners
2:50
Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 3m1f ITV
23 runners
3:30
Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m½f ITV
7 runners
4:10
Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Registered as The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m4f ITV
9 runners
RACES PREVIEW
1330 The Supreme Novices Hurdle
The Willie Mullins trained Facile Vega was a strong almost unopposed antepost favourite for quite some time. However a poor run in his latest outing has cast some doubt although the trainer is adamant that this is his best chance of the week. We have kept the faith and recommended Facile Vega as one of our best bets of the week.
SELECTION: Facile Vega 5/2 best odds with Bet365, William Hill and Boylesports.
1410 The Arkle
Dominated by the Nicky Henderson trained Jonbon and rising star El Fabiolo: they have been flip-flopping as race favourites all week. Jonbon does seems to have that edge of class however being a full brother to Douvan and producing some useful runs this season.
SELECTION: Jonbon best odds 13/8 with Bet365
1450 The Ultima Handicap Chase
The big stayers handicap chase of the Festival. Very competitive 23 runner first handicap of the week. We fancy Happygolucky to go one better than his second in this race in 2021.
SELECTION: Happygolucky 14/1 best odds with Bet365, William Hill and Betfred
1530 THE CHAMPION HURDLE
Check out our full preview here. The feature race of the day is all about the most talked about horse of the season. Constitution Hill bids to follow up last season’s Supreme Novices win but the pressure is on not just to win, but to win spectacularly.
Only 7 runners declared so not really a betting race but a race to savour. State Man from Ireland the main threat.
SELECTION: Constitution Hill best odds 4/11 bet365, William Hill
1610 The Mares Hurdle
One of the most anticipated Mares Hurdle races of all time. Honeysuckle aims to retire in style with Cheltenham glory but she won’t find it easy with fellow former Champion Hurdler Epatante, last year’s winner Maries Rock and rising talent Brandy Love all in the mix. 
This could be the race of the day.
SELECTION: Brandy Love best odds 5/1 Betfred and Boylesports.
SELECTIONS RECAP
1330: FACILE VEGA 5/2 Bet365, William Hill and Boylesports.
1410: JONBON 13/8 Bet365
1450: HAPPYGOLUCKY 14/1 Bet365, William Hill and Betfred
1530: CONSTITUTION HILL 4/11 Bet365, William Hill
1610: BRANDY LOVE 5/1 Betfred, Boylesports
Our Recommended Cheltenham Festival 2023 Betting Offers!
Bet365
- Bet365 Betting Offer: Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets
New Customers (available throughout Cheltenham Festival 2023)
Key Terms of the Offer:
New Customers only. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. (#Ad)
Join and Claim Offer with Bet365!
Betfred
- Betfred Betting Offer: Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses
New Customers (available throughout Cheltenham Festival 2023)
Key Terms of the Offer:
New 18+ UK customers only. Register using the promo code WELCOME40, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes are not included in any returns. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required. Full T&Cs apply.
Join and Claim Offer with Betfred!
Bet Victor
- Bet Victor Betting Offer: Bet £5 Get £30 in Bonuses
New Customers (available throughout Cheltenham Festival 2023)
Key Terms of the Offer:
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £5 at odds 2.00+ within 7 days of registering, no cashout. Get 2x £10 Free Bets, set events at odds 2.00+. Plus a £10 Slot Bonus, selected games, wager 20x to withdraw max £250. 7 day bonus expiry. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Join and Claim Offer with Bet Victor!
- Bet Victor Betting Offer: Bet £5 Get £20 Rewards
New Customers (available throughout Cheltenham Festival 2023)
Key Terms of the Offer:
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £5 at odds 2.00+ within 7 days of registering, no cashout. Get 2x £10 Free Bets, set events at odds 2.00+. Plus a £10 Slot Bonus, selected games, wager 20x to withdraw max £250. 7 day bonus expiry. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Join and Claim Offer with Bet Victor!
- Bet Victor Betting Offer: £10 in Money Back Free Bets
New Customers (available throughout Cheltenham Festival 2023)
Key Terms of the Offer:
18+ New customers only. Opt in, place your first bet of £10 or more on any horse at the Cheltenham (win single only). Get £10 refund in Free Bets if your 1st bet loses, valid until 17:30 GMT on 15.3.23. No wagering requirements. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply. See below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Join and Claim Offer with Bet Victor!
- Bet Victor Betting Offer: Bet €5 Get €40 in Free Bets
New Ireland Customers (available throughout Cheltenham Festival 2023)
Key Terms of the Offer:
18+ New Customers only Opt in & Bet €5+ (odds 2.00+) on any race at Cheltenham from 10:00 UK time 10.03.23 until 13:30 UK time 17.03.23. Get €40 in Free Bets for Cheltenham, No Cash out. Free Bets expire 18.30 UK time on 17.03.23. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply, See Below. gamblingcare.ie | Please gamble responsibly
Join and Claim Offer with Bet Victor!
Boylesports
- Boylesports Betting Offer: Bet £25 Free Bet Bundle
New Customers (available throughout Cheltenham Festival 2023)
Key Terms of the Offer:
18+. UK Customers (Excluding NI) only. Cash stakes only. Min £10 stake required for initial £5 free bet. Min odds ½. Max £25 in free bets. Subsequent free bets equal 50% average of each 3 £5 max qualifying bets. 13 settled bets required to receive full £25 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed on sportsbook within 30 days of opening account. Cashed out bets will not qualify towards your average stake. One free bet offer per customer, household or IP address only. Free bet expires after 7 days. Payment method restrictions apply. T&Cs apply
Join and Claim Offer with Boylesport!
William Hill
- William Hill Betting Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
New Customers (available throughout Cheltenham Festival 2023)
Key Terms of the Offer:
18+. Play Safe. From 00:001 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad
Join and Claim Offer with William Hill!
- William Hill Betting Offer: Constitution Hill To Win The Champion Hurdle – EVS (Was 1/3)
New and Existing UK Customers (available until 15:30pm on Tuesday 14th March 2023)
Key Terms of the Offer:
18+. Play Safe. Bet up to £10. Available Online & In Shop for Plus customers. Limited availability. Odds may fluctuate. #ad
Join and Claim Offer with William Hill!
MORE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL!
- Cheltenham Festival Betting Offers and Free Bets 2023!
- Champion Hurdle Betting Preview 2023!
- Champion Chase 2023 Betting Preview!
- Stayers Hurdle 2023 Betting Preview!
- Gold Cup 2023 at Cheltenham Festival!
- How To Bet on the Cheltenham Festival!
- How To Bet on Horse Racing!
- How To Win at Cheltenham Festival!
- Beginners Guide to Cheltenham Festival 2023!
- Cheltenham Festival 2023 Events Page!
- Best Each Way Antepost Bets for Cheltenham Festival 2023!
- Cheltenham 2023 Best Handicap Antepost Bets!
- Cheltenham Festival Bankers 2023!
- Top 10 Best Bets for Cheltenham Festival 2023!
Have a great Cheltenham Festival 2023 and have fun!
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (7pm 13th March 2023) and are subject to change.
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 T&Cs apply
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