Best Cheltenham Betting Offers in 2025

Types of Cheltenham Betting Offers

Free Bets 

Free bets are a popular promotional tool in horse racing betting, offered by bookmakers to attract new customers or incentivise existing ones. These credits allow you to place a bet without risking your own funds. Free bets can be awarded in various ways, such as welcome bonuses for new customers, matched deposits, or as part of ongoing promotions. While they provide an opportunity to win without initial investment, it’s crucial to remember that free bets often have terms and conditions, such as minimum odds requirements or restrictions on how winnings can be withdrawn.

Enhanced Odds 

Bookmakers often offer Enhanced Odds promotions in horse racing, significantly boosting the odds on selected horses or races. This allows bettors to win bigger payouts compared to the usual odds. These offers are frequently used to attract new customers or to encourage existing ones to bet, especially during major racing events. While Enhanced Odds can lead to substantial winnings, it’s important to carefully review the terms and conditions of the offer, which may include limitations like maximum bet amounts or restrictions on how winnings can be withdrawn.

Tote 

Tote betting in horse racing is a unique form of wagering in which bettors pool their money together. The tote operator deducts a percentage of the total pool as a commission. The remaining amount is then distributed among those who successfully backed the winning horse. Tote betting offers a variety of bet types, including win, place, each-way, and exotic bets like trifectas and forecasts. The amount of money determines the odds of tote betting on each horse, creating a dynamic and constantly changing market.   

Money Back Guarantees 

Money Back Guarantees in horse racing betting provide a safety net for your wager by offering refunds under specific conditions. These can include receiving your stake back as a free bet or cash if your horse finishes second, or even third or fourth in some cases. Some promotions even refund your stake if a short margin, such as a head or a nose, narrowly beat your horse. These offers mitigate the disappointment of near-misses and enhance the overall betting experience.

Popular Cheltenham Betting Markets 

Win 

The easiest way to bet on the Cheltenham Festival in the UK is by placing Win bets. Win bets are when players bet on which horse they believe will win. If the horse you back wins the race, your selection will be paid out as a winner. Your winnings are determined by the odds of your selection at the time you place your bet, although you can return at SP if you wish, which gives you the starting price of the horse before the off.

Each Way 

An each-way bet consists of two separate bets. The first bet is a win bet, like the above-mentioned selection. The second bet is a place bet. A place bet is when you place a bet on a horse to finish inside the allocated placings for that specific race. This could be 1st and 2nd, although for many races, it covers the first three, and in some cases, it covers the first four. Each-way betting is usually reserved for bigger horse racing events, such as The Grand National, Royal Ascot, and, of course, Cheltenham! 

Forecast/Tricast 

In simple terms, a forecast or tricast bet is when you bet on the correct order for the top 2 or 3 finishing positions in the race. Therefore, if you place this bet before the race has begun and your predictions are correct, you will be paid out as a winner! These bets usually come with higher odds than just regular win bets. 

Accumulators

Accumulator bets consist of four or more selections on horses combined into a single bet. These can be place bets, win bets, forecast bets, and tricast bets, all put under one bet. You simply make one wager, and the odds are combined. However, all selections must come in for your bet to be successful. Even if one of the four or more selections lets you down, the bet is lost. 

Non-Runner No Bet

If a bet is placed on the day of the race and the horse selected does not run in the race, the bookmaker will usually void this bet. This ensures the customer does not lose their wager for something out of their control. The stake used on the original bet will then be deposited back into the customer’s account and can be staked again on another betting market. 

Placepot Bet 

A placepot is a pool bet that involves selecting a horse to finish in the places in the first six races of a race meeting. This means that the horse does not have to win the race, but simply finish within the places stipulated. For example, you can bet on a horse to finish within the first 6 places of a race. If this horse finishes anywhere from 1st to 6th, the bet is won. However, if the horse finishes anywhere from 7th and beyond, the bet is lost. 

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Schedule 

The Cheltenham Festival takes place between Tuesday, 11 – Friday, 14 March 2025, and it promises to be an event to remember. Below, we have provided a full schedule for the event so you can keep up to date with all the latest races!

Day 1: Champion Day – Tuesday 11 March 2025: 

Seven races are scheduled for Day One of the Cheltenham Festival. The feature race of the day is the Unibet Champion Hurdle, a 2-mile Grade 1 race. This takes place at 16:00.

Day 2: Style Wednesday – Wednesday 12 March 2025

On the second day, the highlight is the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase. Runners in this Grade 1 event jump over 12 fences over the course of 2 miles. It is the highlight of the traditionally known ladies’ day and is off at 16:00.

Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday 13 March 2025

One of the key dates for Cheltenham Festival 2025 is St Patrick’s Day, which marks the third day of racing. Today’s championship races are the Ryanair Steeple Chase at 15:20 & Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at 16:00.

Day 4: Gold Cup Day – Friday 14 March 2025

The day’s focus will be The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, as the name suggests. Over three miles and two furlongs long, this is the premier race of the event. It will begin at 16:00, and the winner will take home the Gold Cup.

*Please note the timings are subject to change.

Cheltenham Live Streaming 

Many UK betting sites offer live streaming of the Cheltenham Festival. This allows bettors to watch the races unfold in real time, enhancing their betting experience.

To access these streams, you typically need to have an account with the bookmaker and often meet certain requirements, such as placing a bet on the race

Live streaming provides an immersive experience, allowing you to witness the thrill of the races firsthand and make informed betting decisions based on what you see. It’s important to remember to gamble responsibly and within your means.

Responsible Gambling

We understand that gambling can be fun, but it’s important to gamble responsibly. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, please do not hesitate to ask for help. There are people who can help you get on the road to recovery.

Here are some resources that can help you:

• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
• GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware: https://www.gambleaware.org/

Cheltenham Festival FAQs 

When Is the Cheltenham Festival? 

The Cheltenham Festival will take place from Tue, 11 Mar 2025, 1:20 pm – Fri, 14 Mar 2025. 

Can I Earn Real Money From Free Bets? 

Yes! You are able to stake any free bets claimed or earned on any sports betting market, including horse racing. Any winnings made from these bets can be withdrawn as real money! 

How To Get Free Bets? 

Free bets are incredibly easy to claim and earn, especially around Cheltenham! Simply click the link to any of the above-mentioned betting sites, and follow the on-screen instructions in order to claim yourself some fantastic free bets!