Best Cheltenham Festival Betting Sites

If you’re looking for the best Cheltenham betting sites, you’re in the right place. This guide will show you handpicked Cheltenham betting offers from reliable UK betting sites with great odds on Cheltenham races. I’ll be highlighting the best welcome bonuses and free bets and telling you how to access them.

Best Betting Sites for Cheltenham Festival

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Betting Site
Promotion
Bet Here
1
Betfred casino_120x120
BetFred
5.0
Bet £10 Get£40 in Bonuses when you sign up using WELCOME40
UK new betting sites
UK Licensed
Competitive Odds

New UK 18+ only. Register with promo code WELCOME40, Bet £10+ on Sports in one transaction. Get £30 Free Bets & £10 free spins within 10hrs of bet settlement. Bonuses expire 7 days after issue. Min odds, eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

2
BoyleSports_Logo_120x120
BoyleSports
5.0
£25 Bet Bundle
UK new betting sites
UK Licensed
Competitive Odds
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
3
Betzone_120x120
Betzone
5.0
Up To £60 In Free Sports Bets + Free Casino Spins
UK new betting sites
UK Licensed
Competitive Odds

To welcome all new Betzone customers we are offering three welcome bonuses of up to £60 in free sports bets together with free casino spins and the opportunity to join the Betzone Reward Zone. Bonus 1: £10 worth of free sports bets after first five settled sports bets placed of £10 or over. Bonus 2: Up to £50 worth of free sports bets.

4
Bet365_120x120
Bet365
5.0
Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets
UK new betting sites
UK Licensed
Competitive Odds
Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
5
888Sport_120x120_transparent
Hot
888sport
4.8
Bet £10 & Get £30 + £10 Casino Bonus
UK new betting sites
UK Licensed
Competitive Odds
New costumer only. 🔞. BeGambleAware - https://www.begambleaware.org/ .T&Cs: Minimum deposit of £10 using deposit code 30F - A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 placed on any sports market - Minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) - Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days - Free bet stakes not included in returns - Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager bonus amount x40 within 14 days • Wagering req. vary by game • Withdrawal restrictions and Full T&C’s apply: read here https://www.888sport.com/spt/betget-offer.htm#fullTerms
6
10BetCasino_120x120
10bet
4.8
50% up to £50
UK new betting sites
UK Licensed
Competitive Odds

New bettors; Code PLAY10; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+

7
mrplaycasino_120x120
New
Mr.Play
4.6
Bet £10 & Get £10
UK new betting sites
UK Licensed
Competitive Odds

18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible.

8
betway_120x120
Betway
4.6
Get £10 in Free Bets
UK new betting sites
UK Licensed
Competitive Odds
New UK customers only, €10 Min Deposit. 100 % matched free beton your first deposit of €10.1 x wagering at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bets. Debit Card & Paypal deposits only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Full Terms apply.
9
Unibet_green_120x120
Unibet
4.6
Money back as a bonus up to £40 if your first bet loses + £10 Casino
UK new betting sites
UK Licensed
Competitive Odds
18+ begambleaware.org. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. No deposit required for NI customers. Call 08081699314 to claim. Full T&Cs apply. #AD
10
BetUK Black-120x120
Betuk
4.6
BET £10 GET £30 IN FREE BETS
UK new betting sites
UK Licensed
Competitive Odds

T&Cs apply. New customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. Opt-in required. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.

About Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Festival is a four-day feast of horse racing which takes place annually in March. It’s held in the UK, usually at the same time as St. Patrick’s Day, which is the perfect recipe for major celebrations!

You’ll find lots of free bets for Cheltenham as it’s such a famous series that it attracts new players as well as seasoned veterans. The four days are divided into Champions Day, Festival Wednesday, St. Patrick’s Thursday and Gold Cup Day, which features one of the most exciting races of the event.

Cheltenham Festival 2022 Results

To take advantage of the best Cheltenham sign up offers, it makes sense to look at recent results. This can help you identify trends and patterns which can then dictate where your betting strategy sits for Cheltenham 2023.

Horse racing fans will remember the first day of Cheltenham Festival 2022 when Constitution Hill executed a memorable victory in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, with female jockey Rachel Blackmore securing her second Champion Hurdle in as many years while riding Honeysuckle. And she’d go on to win the Gold Cup on the final day, too.

On the Wednesday, fan favourite Tiger Roll ran his last race, and only narrowly missed out on victory when Delta Work snatched it at the death. Cheltenham betting sites will have been relieved at that, with Tiger Roll heavily backed by amateurs and experts alike.

Not all racers will remember Cheltenham 2022 with such fondness; Galopin Des Champs will want to forget a horrible fall with the Turner’s Novice Chase there for the taking.

Cheltenham Festival 2024

In recent years the Cheltenham Festival has continued to grow, adding more races and even more days over time. It originally began as a two-day event, maturing to three days and then its current incarnation as a four-day series started in 2005. 

The 2023 Cheltenham festival is already set in place, and you can see the individual dates at all the best Cheltenham betting sites. It’s set to take place from Tuesday, 14th – Friday, 17th March 2023 as follows:

  • Champions Day – Tues, 14th March
  • Festival Wednesday – Weds, 15th March
  • St Patrick’s Thursday – Thur, 16th March
  • Gold Cup Day – Fri, 17th March

Some horses and riders are already confirmed. For example, Al Boum Photo is locked in to run in the Gold Cup, and will be looking to win it for a third time. In 2022, he came third after winning it in his two previous attempts. 

A Plus Tard will have something to say about that, though. Last year’s Gold Cup runner up will be back in 2023, and will be a hot selection on many Cheltenham betting offers. 

How We Rank Cheltenham Betting Sites?

Our experts have many years of placing wagers at Cheltenham betting sites. Personally, I have developed a list of criteria which I use to find the very best Cheltenham sign up offers, including a large number of free bets for Cheltenham.

UK Horse Racing Betting Sites

Here are five things to look for in the top Cheltenham betting sites:

  • Free bets for Cheltenham: There are lots of Cheltenham betting offers every year, and it would be shortsighted not to consider these in your betting strategy. By looking for the best free bets and sign-up deals, you can increase your potential winnings while lowering your risk.

  • In-play betting: If you’ve ever placed in-play bets on horse racing, you’ll know the odds change incredibly quickly – and only the best, most up-to-date Cheltenham betting sites will have the technology required to keep up with this.

  • Best odds guaranteed: The best Cheltenham betting sites may offer something called best odds guaranteed. This means that you will either get the odds at the time you place your bet or the starting price. You’ll always receive the longer odds, which is a great perk.

  • Historic Cheltenham betting sites: One clue to finding the best Cheltenham betting sites is its history. If a bookie has years of experience in delivering top-tier deals and providing big odds, it’s reasonable to assume they could be one of the best betting sites for Cheltenham.

  • Early details: Certain Cheltenham betting sites will make bets available much earlier than others. This can be a great way to get higher odds before they drastically change closer to race time, and so you should focus on sites which regularly deliver odds on Cheltenham as early as possible. 

Of course, this isn’t the full list. When looking for the top Cheltenham betting sites I also consider markets, bet types, mobile apps and mobile compatibility, payment options and speed, licensing, security, customer service, user experience and site layout, and so on.

Top Features at Cheltenham Betting Sites

Unique features are what help selected Cheltenham betting sites stand out from the competition. So, when you’re looking for the best betting sites for Cheltenham, this is something which you’ll want to think about.

Here are five features to look for:

  • Excellent odds: One of the most fundamental and important features of any top Cheltenham betting site is the odds. Only choose bookies which consistently deliver very competitive odds when compared to other sites.

  • Wide range of markets: There can be quiet a high degree of variance between Cheltenham betting sites. Some focus on the winner market, while others give you all sorts of handicap and side betting options. The more markets, the better.

  • Big race coverage: Does your Cheltenham betting site only cover the major races, or do they offer markets on the smaller races too? Ideally, you want one site which covers all kinds of races (for Cheltenham and elsewhere), so you won’t need to keep creating new accounts at new bookies all the time.

  • Live streaming: A lot of Cheltenham betting sites will allow you to watch the race live after placing a relatively small wager on the outcome. Whether it’s for Cheltenham horse racing or live football, this can often be a smart way to watch live sport as it can work out cheaper than a television subscription!

  • Virtual racing: If a day of races at Cheltenham doesn’t cut it for you, choose a Cheltenham betting site which also has virtual racing, This gives you round-the-clock access to racing and is an important feature for many. Just remember that it’s computer-generated, and can’t be analysed in the same way as real-life races. 

Best Cheltenham Betting Sites

Now that you know what to look for in a Cheltenham betting site, it’s time to give you my breakdown of some of the best around.

Here are 12 of my favourite Cheltenham betting sites:

Betzone

Betzone_120x120

Although the name might not be quite so famous, Betzone is actually a betting site from the same people behind Stan James. That name will be instantly recognisable to players in the UK, and this instills a sense of trust at Betzone. Their horse racing odds are solid and players willing to make multiple bets can unlock some juicy welcome bonuses.

Up To £60 In Free Sports Bets + Free Casino Spins

To welcome all new Betzone customers we are offering three welcome bonuses of up to £60 in free sports bets together with free casino spins and the opportunity to join the Betzone Reward Zone. Bonus 1: £10 worth of free sports bets after first five settled sports bets placed of £10 or over. Bonus 2: Up to £50 worth of free sports bets.

10bet

10BetCasino_120x120

If you follow my reviews, you’ll have seen a pattern that 10bet is quickly emerging as one of my go-to betting sites. The simple reason is that they have great odds, even on some of the biggest markets, and are therefore forcing their way onto my list of the best Cheltenham betting sites.

50% up to £50

New bettors; Code PLAY10; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+

Betuk

BetUK Black-120x120

Another site which has quickly become one of my favourites is Betuk. They have lucrative welcome bonuses which often change based on the biggest events at the time. For example, to celebrate the 2022 World Cup, they awarded new players £66 in free bets. Similarly, you can expect some generous deals for Cheltenham – along with those impressive odds I mentioned. 

BET £10 GET £30 IN FREE BETS

T&Cs apply. New customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. Opt-in required. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.

Bwin

bwin_120X120

Having had their company name embossed on the Real Madrid shirt during the Galacticos era, Bwin is probably more synonymous with football than horse racing. But I’ve noticed some terrific deals around the time of Cheltenham. This is an incredibly experienced and trusted site where you know your funds will be completely safe.

Get £20 Back-Up Bet
T&Cs: Min deposit £10, Max stake £10, Min Odds 1/1 (2.0). Max free bet £10; New players only; +18; T&Cs. If a player loses their first bet (on minimum odds of 2.0), we will offer a matching free bet (of up to £10). Neteller and Skrill excluded.

888sport

888Sport_120x120_transparent

888 has a famous poker room and a top-class casino, but it’s 888sport which has caught my interest more recently. They have competitive odds, especially on horse racing and football, and they’re uniquely able to create Cheltenham new customer offers which cross over between the platforms. For example, you might get some free poker tickets when you sign up and bet on horse racing!

Bet £10 & Get £30
New costumer only. 🔞. BeGambleAware - https://www.begambleaware.org/ .T&Cs: Minimum deposit of £10 using deposit code 30F - A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 placed on any sports market - Minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) - Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days - Free bet stakes not included in returns - Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager bonus amount x40 within 14 days • Wagering req. vary by game • Withdrawal restrictions and Full T&C’s apply: read here https://www.888sport.com/spt/betget-offer.htm#fullTerms

Betfred

Betfred casino_120x120

As is the case with Bwin, Betfred is probably more closely associated with football, as they’re the official betting partner of Manchester United. But their horse racing markets are not to be overlooked; you’ll get great odds in a very user-friendly layout which makes it easy to see and bet on the latest odds.

Bet £10 Get£40 in Bonuses when you sign up using WELCOME40

New UK 18+ only. Register with promo code WELCOME40, Bet £10+ on Sports in one transaction. Get £30 Free Bets & £10 free spins within 10hrs of bet settlement. Bonuses expire 7 days after issue. Min odds, eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

Coral

Coral_120x120

There are few UK bookies you’ll find which have had as big of an imprint on horse racing as Coral. You can hardly watch any of the major race meets without seeing Coral adverts or even having a race officially sponsored by them, such as the Hennessy Gold Cup. Excellent odds and a modern platform increase the appeal of Coral, along with some top Cheltenham betting offers.

Bet £5 & Get £20
18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply

BoyleSports

BoyleSports_Logo_120x120

Boylesports is an independently owned UK bookies which has terrific odds on a wide range of races including Cheltenham. Sign up offers are common and you can frequently pick up a number of free bets and other goodies when you first join the site. 

£25 Bet Bundle
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

Betway

betway_120x120

A no-nonsense UK bookie with plenty of offers around Cheltenham, Betway is a smart choice for those of you who want solid odds and extra value. Best odds guaranteed is one of the promotions which runs frequently, and should prove invaluable if you’re placing multiple bets at a single Cheltenham betting site.

Get £10 in Free Bets
New UK customers only, €10 Min Deposit. 100 % matched free beton your first deposit of €10.1 x wagering at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bets. Debit Card & Paypal deposits only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Full Terms apply.

Unibet

Unibet_green_120x120

Another of the Cheltenham betting sites on this list which is pretty famous for its poker offering, Unibet also has a strong horse racing section with plenty of in-depth markets on Cheltenham and other major race circuits. The ‘Naps & Tips’ section is a good way to get a glimpse of upcoming races and see who the experts are tipping for victory.

Money back as a bonus up to £40 if your first bet loses + £10 Casino
18+ begambleaware.org. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. No deposit required for NI customers. Call 08081699314 to claim. Full T&Cs apply. #AD

Bet365

Bet365_120x120

This is a household name in the UK which has celebrity endorsements, but is just as famous for delivering consistent odds that beat out rivals in the market. This alone makes it worthy of consideration as one of the best Cheltenham betting sites. If you’re a new customer, you can expect a generous package of goodies from Bet365 which will likely include free bets to use on major races. Even existing players could earn free bets.

Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets
Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Ladbrokes

Ladbrokes_120x120

Ladbrokes have markets on all sorts of horse races in the UK and internationally, which includes every race at Cheltenham. Betting sites sometimes offer boosts on selected horses and selected races, but Ladbrokes uniquely allows you to get a boost on any odds you like. This can be really lucrative on outside shots, as their odds can spiral.

Bet £5 & Get £20 In Free Bets
18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Cheltenham Festival Betting Offers

There are all sorts of betting offers available, with free bets for Cheltenham accessible for both new players and existing customers. But it’s important to understand the difference between the types of Cheltenham betting offers so that you can take full advantage.

Here are some of the best Cheltenham betting offers:

  • Welcome offer: This could encompass one or multiple offers in a single package, with free bets likely to feature around the time of Cheltenham.

  • Free bets: Free bets allow you to win real money without risking your own funds, but make sure you check the wagering requirements first.

  • Money-Back Offers: Similar to free bets, you’ll sometimes be offered your money back on Cheltenham bets. For instance, money back if your rider falls.

  • Price Boost Offers: Selected horses and races will receive boosted odds for a limited time.

  • Matched Deposit Offers: Get extra funds which you can use on Cheltenham horse racing when you make a qualifying deposit.

  • Enhanced Places for Big Races: If you’re placing an each-way bet, look out for Cheltenham betting sites which pay out on extra places in comparison to the majority of sites.

Horse Racing Betting in the UK 🏇

horse racing in uk

At most UK bookies, horse racing ranks alongside Premier League football as one of the two most popular sports to bet on. But why is this?

Horse racing is a sport which combines skill, luck, and proper judgement (on the part of both jockeys and punters), which makes it a very appealing prospect to players. If you do enough research, you can massively increase your chances of being successful.

Here are three of the most important areas of horse racing betting:

Most Popular Markets

Here are some of the most popular horse racing betting markets for Cheltenham:

  • Outright winner: A single bet on a horse to win a race. The most common bet for most new players.

  • Gold Cup each-way: Each-way bets reward you when your horse narrowly misses out on a win, and this is popular choice for the much-watched Gold Cup.

  • Double/treble/Trixie: Multiple bets on horses to win various races combined into a single bet in order to boost the odds – but all selections must come in for it to be declared a winner.

  • Ante-Post: Ante-Post betting is extremely popular with horse racing aficionados, with many placing bets on their chosen runners months in advance. Races such as the King George, which takes place at Kempton on Boxing Day, usually offer plenty of clues in the run-up to the Festival and many punters aim to get ahead of the pack and secure the value.
    Many online bookmakers as recommended by BetonSports including 888sport operate a ‘Non-Runner Insurance’ policy, as some horses will be entered into multiple races with trainers hedging their bets. For example, if you back a horse in the Ryanair Chase and it pulls out on the day and features in the Champion Chase instead, your stake will be returned.

  • Accumulators: Accumulator betting is extremely popular throughout the Festival, with racing enthusiasts selecting their best bets for each day of the event. Doubles and trebles are another popular way of keeping across the action. In order for these bets to pay out, all of the selections must win their respective races. Other multiple bets such as Lucky 15, Lucky 31 and Canadians are also an option – these are permutations of a number of selections and will return some profit even if you miss out on a full house by one or two selections.

Most Popular Horse Racing Bet Types

You can bet on a horse to win a race, or you can bet on each-way. The latter means you will still win if the horse finishes second or in a lower position (which varies depending on the race), but at lower odds.

If you’re confident that a horse will win conclusively, you can bet on them to win by a certain amount of lengths. This can massively boost the odds and make it more worthwhile, especially is the horse is a hot favourite.

Horse Racing Betting Odds

Most Cheltenham betting sites will allow you to place a bet in fractional odds, which are common in the UK.

One key thing to note is that each-way bets pay out differently to outright winners bets. Let’s say a horse is 10/1 to win. If you put £10 on the win, you’ll receive £110, which is £100 profit plus £10 stake back.

If you bet £10 total on the same horse to win each-way, this will be a £5 each-way bet (you’ll pay £10 in total). In other words, it’s £5 on the win and £5 on the horse to place. The odds will be displayed at the time of your bet, but expect something like ‘each-way pays 1/5’.

How to Place a Bet on Cheltenham Festival?

Placing a bet on Cheltenham betting sites is a simple process. Here’s how to do it:

  • Select a bookie. You can find my recommended choices on this page
  • Create an account
  • Make a deposit
  • Choose ‘Horse racing’ from the A-Z of sports
  • Click on ‘Cheltenham’
  • Select the race you want to bet on
  • Click on the odds of the market you want to bet on to add it to the bet slip
  • Input your stake
  • Click ‘Bet’/‘Confirm’ to lock it in

Things to Consider Before Betting on The Horses

When placing bets on Cheltenham, take every piece of information available into consideration. For example, what is the current form of the horse? Have they been winning their recent races? What is the form of the trainer, and do they have experience at major events like Cheltenham?

Look at the weather. Heavy rain or intense sunshine could alter the ground conditions. And look out for horses that have run a particular race before, as repeat runners are always a good thing. You can also look into a horse’s record at a festival or track, the strength of the other horses, breeding, and the draw basis for further analysis.

Cheltenham Betting Strategy

Set yourself a budget and stick to it. Avoid races where you have no strong insight, and consider a horse to win by X amount of lengths if you’re very confident in a winner. And, importantly, get ready to adjust your Cheltenham betting strategy at any moment based on the weather, results and other factors that could come into play at the last minute.

Are Cheltenham Festival Betting Sites Legal in the UK? 🔒

It is 100% safe and legal to place real-money wagers at Cheltenham betting sites in the UK. Horse racing is very popular in the UK and you can place bets at physical stands located all along the racetrack, so there’s no reason that you can’t do the same thing online, via desktop or mobile. Just make sure you use a fully licensed site, like those recommended in this guide.