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How to bet at the Cheltenham Festival 2024.

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How To Bet On The Cheltenham Festival 2024



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(5 minutes read)

Some people work hard all year to create the perfect family Christmas. Some of us look forward to well-deserved long summer breaks in sun soaked tropical resorts. Some of us get excited towards the end of June as the Glastonbury Festival showcases some of the best musical talent in the world.

We all have highlights in the year in which we work and save for. But for some, the whole year is defined by four frantic days in March when like-minded enthusiasts descend on the home of National Hunt racing to enjoy the spectacle of the best winter equine gladiators staking their claim to the top prizes in the sport. It’s also the closest parallel to a betting utopia.

Some even call it The Cheltenham Tank: the pool of cash set aside to do battle with Cheltenham bookies. Urban legend like stories of professional punters checking into Cotswolds hotels with suitcases full of cash are plentiful in the run up to these glorious four days. And these stories are often no exaggeration.

No race meeting over the year attracts such a frenetic and fever pitched atmosphere of race betting ferocity. But for some, it’s fraught with danger. 28 races could potentially be a financial disaster waiting to happen. Cheltenham Festival races are nothing like what you see during the rest of the NH calendar.

Races are run at breakneck speeds, luck in running and jostling for correct positions are vital and then of course you have that finishing hill to contend with. It needs a special punting approach that is patient, shrewd and carefully thought. And that’s why we’re here. We’ll take a look at the kind of races you should latch onto, ones to avoid and where you can find betting value. 

bet365


BETTING AT CHELTENHAM

On Course Bookmakers

There are two main ways to bet at Cheltenham Racecourse. The most exciting way is of course to place a bet with the on course independent bookmakers. You can find them in all of the enclosures.

They can be spotted by their large umbrellas and electronic boards of the horses running in each race. So how do you place a bet at Cheltenham?

All you have to do is approach the bookmaker and tell him/her the number of the horse you want to back (this can be found in the race card program or newspaper) and say the amount you wish to bet.

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The bookmaker will then give you a betting slip which will contain the details of your bet and how much you will win. Remember you can only cash the bet with the bookmaker who took your bet.

There is a minimum bet for these bookmakers which is usually £5, although some may accept as low as £2 but this is very rare especially on Festival days.

Bookmakers accept mainly Sterling although many accept Euros during the Cheltenham Festival week due to the large travelling Irish contingent.

These bookmakers are also increasingly accepting debit card bets although cash is still the preferred currency.

Betting On The Tote

Betting on the Tote is another option available at Cheltenham Races.

The Tote are located all across the racecourse and these appear as conventional betting offices run by staff in red uniforms. Again, you need to tell the member of staff the number of your horse and place at least £2, as this is the minimum bet. 

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However, instead of set prices, the Tote bet works as a pool bet so the final odds depend on how many people bet on that particular horse. Tote accepts cash or card. The Tote also offers different types of bet which are all listed here.

FIND THE BANKER

Finding the Cheltenham Festival banker of the meeting is a challenging task. By definition, a Cheltenham banker is a horse that is absolutely guaranteed to win: it is your idea of the horse most likely to win that week. The odds will almost certainly be very short, perhaps even odds on.

The size of the punt is most likely going to be four or five times your average stake in order for the winnings to be worthwhile. Effectively, it is an insurance policy designed to cover all your losses if you have a bad week on the handicaps or other races. 

The choice of horse is therefore crucial. The key is not always the horse itself. The quality of the opposition must also be taken into consideration. For example, a potential banker race would not be a race where there are two very short priced market leaders in a small field. The banker needs to be head and shoulders above the rest. 


HANDICAPS

A typical blanket finish in The Coral Cup, one of the most competitive and exciting handicaps of the Cheltenham festival..jpgAbove: A typical blanket finish in The Coral Cup, one of the most competitive and exciting handicaps of the Cheltenham festival.

Handicaps during The Festival provide some of the most memorable entertainment over the four days with nearly every race providing a blanket finish and plenty of outsiders getting into the winners enclosure.

However, they must be treated with the upmost caution: you will not find your banker here. Plenty of sources will be lining up to give you the big handicap snip of the week with enticing odds and attractive sound bites from the connections.

Considering that every handicap is 20 runners +, it’s wise to keep your head and do your homework. Therefore, make a checklist. Does the horse have a tendency to laze at the end of races? If it does, leave it.

The Cheltenham Hill doesn’t take prisoners. The horse must have staying credentials. Is it a sound jumper for chases? The Cheltenham fences are the toughest in the business, especially the penultimate straight when approaching the third last, which has a tricky downhill approach:

The sort of horse you should look for in a handicap is one that is on the upgrade, on a winnable mark (carrying no more than 10.7 or 10.8), not too old (6-8 yr. olds best) and has a tendency to perform well in Spring: it’s so common to see horses performing below par throughout the autumn (probably due to the easing ground) and then suddenly burst into form at the Festival with livelier ground.

Finally of course, take full advantage of the generous each way offers: plenty of firms will be offering up to 5 places or even 6 places for each way bets in all of the handicaps.

ANTE POST BETTING: START NOW!

Ante post betting is now a less risky proposition. Up until end of January, most bookmakers only offer full ante post rules which means that if your horse fails to start the race for whatever reason, your stake will be lost. Currently. some of our partner firms are now offering NON RUNNER NO BET which means your stake is returned in the event of the selection being a non runner. Some firms are even offering Best Odds Guaranteed.

Here is a summary of the latest ante post betting offers from our partner firms:

Bet 365 are offering Non Runner No Bet AND Best Odds Guaranteed on all non handicap Cheltenham Festival races.

William Hill are offering NON RUNNER MONEY BACK on all Cheltenham Festival races.

Bet Victor are offering NON RUNNER NO BET on all non handicap Cheltenham Festival races.

Betfred are offering NON RUNNER NO BET on all Cheltenham Festival races.

Boylesports atre offering NON RUNNER NO BET on The Champion Hurdle, The Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase, Stayers Hurdle and The Gold Cup.

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STEAR CLEAR OF THE NOVELTY RACES!

The Cross Country Chase. Great to watch but best avoided as a betting proposition!.jpgAbove: The Cross Country Chase. Great to watch but best avoided as a betting proposition!

The Festival includes a number of races which are designed to attract the floating enthusiast. These are the Cross Country Chase (Wednesday) and The Foxhunters Chase (Thursday). The Cross Country can be particularly dangerous to punters as it often attracts classy 11/12 year olds looking to wind down their careers and offering enticing odds.

In most cases, the gruelling nature of the course with its consistent undulations and madcap fences (including fences in alarmingly quick succession and mini hills) is too much for the uninitiated. If you are going to play with this race, stick to horses which have done the course and stayed.

The Foxhunters should be treated the same way as most of the jockeys have limited experience of the Cheltenham track and considering the time of the race, immediately after The Gold Cup, it’s probably a good time to put the kettle on and relax!

AND FINALLY...

Don’t go mad. So many talking horses have met their nemesis at the Festival. Choose your bankers carefully and keep the handicap punting to a fun level. Be sure to size up the form in the novice hurdle events and be extremely wary of the Irish challenge as Irish owners and trainers are legendary for being economical and shrewd with their information!

Many of the Irish horses have been primed only for Cheltenham and it’s imperative to get a good insight into their form at lesser known tracks such as Down Royal, Dundalk and Thurles where they have been quietly prepped for the big ones at Cheltenham.

Have a wonderful four days, punt carefully and cautiously and remember when the fun stops...stop.

Our Recommended Cheltenham Festival 2024 Betting Offers!

FREE BETS AT CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2024

BET365

  • Bet365 Betting Offer: Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets

New Customers (available before and throughout Cheltenham Festival 2024)

bet365

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. Registration Required. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply.

Join and Claim Offer with Bet365!

BET VICTOR

  • Bet Victor Betting Offer: Bet £5 Get £20 + 20 Free Spins

New Customers (available before and throughout Cheltenham Festival 2024)

Bet Victor Betting Offer Bet £5 Get £20 + 20 Free Spins.jpg

Key Terms of the Offer:

18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £5+ at odds of 2.00+ on Cheltenham. Get £20 in Cheltenham Free Bets & 20 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza. Offer & Bonuses expire at 17:30 UK Time on 15.03.2024. Debit Card/Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. Begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly  

Join and Claim Offer with Bet Victor!

BOYLESPORTS

  • Boylesports Betting Offer: Bet £25 Free Bet Bundle

New Customers (available before and throughout Cheltenham Festival 2024)

Boylesports_Cheltenham_Festival_2024_Betting_Offers.jpg

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 Boylesports!

WILLIAM HILL

  • William Hill Betting Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

New Customers (available before and throughout Cheltenham Festival 2024)

William Hill Betting Offer 30 in Free Bets.jpg

Key Terms of the Offer:

18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 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!

MORE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL!

Have a great Cheltenham Festival 2024 and have fun!

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

Click to Claim
Matt is Howtobet4free's resident Horse Racing expert, writer, tipster and a huge Cheltenham Festival fan. He occasionally dabbles in Golf, Football and anything else you can gamble on!

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