FEW racing events hit like the Cheltenham, and this year is shaping up to be more exciting than ever. 2026 is leaning heavily into the increasingly popular social and spread betting formats, but there is plenty for traditional punters, too.
This guide will highlight the best Cheltenham Festival 2026 free bet offers, walk you through everything you need to know about the races, and explain how pool and spread betting work, if you want to get involved. We’ll also provide you with a race schedule and briefly touch upon new regulatory measures in the UK and how they may affect your betting experience.
🏇 Best Cheltenham Festival betting offers for 2026
🌟 Best bookies and offers for Cheltenham Festival 2026
The Cheltenham Festival is the one week a year when every horse racing betting site unleashes their best Cheltenham offers and free bets.
Below, we have taken the hard work out of finding some of the best Cheltenham free bets and offers so you can concentrate on finding your next Cheltenham Festival winner.
1. Betway
- Offer: Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets + Build Your Cheltenham Pot
- Significant terms: New players only. Place a £10+ bet at min. odds of 2.0 for 4 x £10 in free bet tokens on bet settlement. 7-day expiry. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply).
Betway leans heavily into major racing events like Cheltenham with regular promotions and race-focused specials. In addition to the welcome offer, new customers can opt in for the Countdown to Cheltenham Free Bet Club.
By spending at least £25 on trebles, accumulators or Bet Builder bets in a week, you’ll get two £5 free bets, and with Countdown to Cheltenham, an extra £10 free bet added to your Cheltenham Free Bet pot every week that you qualify for Free Bet Club.
2. SBK
- Offer: Bet £10, get £40 in free bets
- Significant terms: New UK customers. Min £10 first deposit. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 2.0 and get £40 in Free Bets within 48 hours
SBK is a strong Cheltenham pick if you care about squeezing maximum value from favourites. Their model is built around exchange-style pricing, which typically produces slimmer margins than traditional bookies in the UK. On top of that, the Best Price feature transparently compares SBK’s odds against leading UK bookies to see how they stack up.
The combination of low-margin exchange pricing and real-time price benchmarking ensures you’re almost guaranteed to get one of the best Cheltenham offers available on the market.
3. Betrino
- Offer: Get up to £30 in Free Bets + £500 Cashback across Cheltenham Week
- Significant terms: Daily offers (10/03-13/03). Min qualifying bets of £20/£25/£30 vary by day. Min odds 1/2. Reward issued as Free Bets or Cashback on deposit losses. Maximum winnings £200. Valid 7 days.
Betrino is taking a totally different approach to this year’s Festival with a multi-day promotional calendar designed to keep the action rolling all week. Rather than a standard one-off sign-up bonus, using the promo code FESTIVAL unlocks a new offer every single day you deposit and bet.
You can grab £10 Free Bets on Tuesday and Thursday, a massive 15% cashback safety net up to £500 on Wednesday, and a £30 Free Bet option for Gold Cup Friday. It’s a brilliant setup for punters planning to have a flutter across the whole four days, topped off with a very fair 1x wagering requirement on your free bet winnings (capped at £200).
4. Jeffbet
- Offer: Bet £20, Get £40 in Free Bets
- Significant terms: Code: CHELT40. Valid 06/03/26 – 15/03/26. Min £20 qualifying bet at odds 1/2+. Free bet issued as one-time £40 stake. Max winnings £200. Valid for 7 days.
Another solid option running on the reliable ProgressPlay network is Jeffbet. Unlike the multi-day promotional calendars seen on some of its sister sites, Jeffbet keeps things beautifully simple for Cheltenham with a classic, high-value welcome offer.
By registering and depositing with the promo code CHELT40, you just need to place a £20 qualifying bet at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater. Once that bet is settled, your account will be credited with a £40 free bet to use on the Festival. The best part? Just like other bookies on this network, the wagering requirement is an incredibly fair 1x on your free bet winnings, meaning you get to keep what you win as cash (up to a generous £200 limit).
5. bet365
- Offer: Bet £10, get £30 in free bets
- Significant terms: New players only. Qualifying deposit of £5 or more. Free Bets paid as Bet Credits available upon settlement of qualifying bets. Must contain at least one selection at odds of 1/5 (1.20) or greater.
bet365 is an industry giant, and with good reason. Best Odds Guaranteed deals have been consistently applied on key races like Cheltenham for years, while Position Payout offers provide extra flexibility in big-field handicaps.
Racing Value promos pay out early prices on UK horse and greyhound races, and even payouts on disqualified racers. Finally, if you love watching live streams of all the races you’re betting on, bet365 offers some of the best and most reliable live streams in the industry.
6. Monster Casino
- Offer: Unlock up to £30 in Free Bets + £500 Cashback across Cheltenham Week
- Significant terms: Daily offers (10/03-13/03). Min qualifying bets of £20/£25/£30 vary by day. Min odds 1/2. Reward issued as Free Bets or Cashback on deposit losses. Maximum winnings £200. Valid 7 days.
While Monster Casino is best known for its slots, its sportsbook is pulling no punches for this year’s Cheltenham Festival. They have rolled out an incredibly generous, multi-day promotional calendar that gives punters a reason to log in every single day of the races.
Using the code FESTIVAL, you can claim a £10 free bet on Tuesday, grab a 15% cashback safety net (up to £500) on Wednesday, and bag another £10 free bet on Thursday. For Gold Cup Friday, loyal players who claimed the previous offers get a free £10 bet just for logging in, while newcomers can parachute in with a £30 qualifying bet to instantly receive a £30 free bet. Backed by a brilliantly fair 1x wagering requirement on winnings (up to £200), this is one of the best retention offers of the week.
7. Betfred
- Offer: Bet £10. Get £50 in Free Bets
- Significant terms: New users only, min. odds 2.0, get three £10 free bets (any sport) and two £10 free bets accas. Bets expire in 7 days & cannot be cashed out.
Betfred is a household name among UK punters, famous for its generous Best Odds Guaranteed offers and numerous racing specials. These include Extra Place payouts on select races and up to a 25% cash bonus when placing a Lucky 15, 31 or 63 bet.
In addition to getting the best odds on Cheltenham races, players are also protected by Betfred’s Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) offer, ensuring that if their horse does not run, they’ll get their money back in cash.
8. Tote
- Offer: Bet £10, get £40 in free bets for new customers
- Significant terms: Bet a min. of £10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing within 7 days of registration. Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet, 2 x £5 Football Acca.
Tote is a great choice for Cheltenham and horse races in general because it’s built around pool betting rather than fixed odds. That means dividends are driven by how other punters bet, which can lead to bigger returns in competitive Festival fields.
The Tote Guarantee also takes care of the potential downside, promising to pay at least the industry SP if the pool dividend comes in lower, providing a safety net while still having all the advantages inherent to pool betting.
9. talkSPORT Bet
- Offer: Get £30 in free bets when you bet a tenner
- Significant terms: 18+ New customers only. Opt in, deposit and bet £10 on any sports market at 1/1+ odds within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 in Free Bets for set sports markets. Free Bets expire in 7 days.
While it’s only been around since 2022, TalkSPORT Bet has done a lot to attract the attention of UK punters. From customised betting slips with Bet Builder and an extensive Bet Calculator to competitive odds across all major sports markets, there’s a lot to like here.
For horse racing lovers, Racing Odds Boosts offer great deals on select events like Cheltenham, while the site’s extensive blog section features numerous handy articles with the latest news, predictions, tips, and more.
10. BetMGM
- Offer: Get £40 in free bets when you bet £10
- Significant terms: New customers only. Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Minimum odds of 1/1 (2.0) and any each-way bet must have a £10 stake each-way. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports bet). Not valid on e-sports & non-UK/IE horse racing.
BetMGM is a great all-around option for horse betting, particularly for punters who want a modern sportsbook with regular horse racing promos and price boosts for the big events like Cheltenham.
The app interface is clean, markets are clearly laid out, and you can expect everything from BOG and NRNB deals to daily 10% profit boosts during this year’s three racing days. Last year, there were even two separate £250,000 cash prize draws, so you know BetMGM doesn’t skimp out.
11. PricedUp
- Offer: Bet £40, Get £20 in Free Bets (4 x £5 Horse Racing Singles)
- Significant terms: Code: HR20. Place a min £40 bet on any selection with min odds of Evens (2.0). Reward issued as 4 x £5 Free Bets for Horse Racing Singles (min odds 3/1). Free bets credited over 4 days. Free bets expire after 24 hours. Winnings paid as cash (stake not returned).
PricedUp is one of the newer kids on the block, having launched in 2024. Operating on the popular Playbook platform—the same tech behind brands like Planet Sport Bet and AK Bets—it has quickly built a solid reputation for its excellent UK and Irish horse racing coverage.
For this year’s Cheltenham Festival, new customers can unlock a £20 free bet package. By signing up with the promo code HR20, depositing, and placing a £40 qualifying bet at Evens (2.0) or higher, you’ll receive four £5 free bets. These are staggered over four days (one credited instantly, and the rest every 24 hours), which is absolutely perfect for pacing yourself across Festival week.
Just keep an eye on the clock—each free bet expires 24 hours after being credited and must be used on Horse Racing Singles at minimum odds of 3/1 (4.0). Armed with daily “PricedUp Pushes” (price boosts) and free live streaming for all UK and Irish racing, it’s a superb platform to add to your Cheltenham betting arsenal.
12. Spreadex
- Offer: £60 in free bets when you bet £10
- Significant terms: New player offer. Place a £10 fixed odds single or £10 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets, 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets, and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet.
The main thing that differentiates Spreadex from most UK bookies is that the site offers two distinct products: a traditional Fixed Odds sportsbook and a higher-risk Spread Betting platform. Fixed odds work like any other Cheltenham offer with win, each-way and multiples, with profits and losses both capped.
Spread betting, by contrast, lets you “buy” or “sell” performance-based markets (like race indices or winning distances), meaning returns can be much bigger, but losses can also exceed your stake if you’re wrong.
13. Coral
- Offer: Get £30 in free bets when you bet £5 on sports
- Significant terms: 18+ New UK + ROI customers only. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account registration at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £5 free bets, valid for 7 days only.
Coral is another legendary British bookie that turns a century old this year. You can count on Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) and Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) deals for major events like Cheltenham and worthwhile promotions like the Racing Super Series.
Finally, if you join the Coral Racing Club, you’ll be able to enter the 2026 Cheltenham Festival prize draw for a chance to win valuable prizes like event admission tickets, food vouchers, and access to the Racing Breaks Legends Lounge.
14. CopyBet
- Offer: Bet £20, get £20
- Significant terms: New users only, single or acca bets at odds 1.9 or higher and settled within 7 days of opting in. £500 max payout & no cash-out on free or qualifying bets.
Copybet’s unique angle makes it attractive to both new and experienced punters: the former can use the vast knowledge of expert tipsters to copy their selections at Cheltenham, while experts will, in turn, earn a small portion of the profits made by everyone who copied their winning predictions.
While there haven’t been any major Cheltenham announcements yet, the site traditionally offers Best Odds Guaranteed and Extra Place deals and has a large selection of expert race betting tips.
Special betting offers for Cheltenham 2026
In the table below, we’ve listed the special horse racing offers from all of the best Cheltenham 2026 bookies in the UK. Use the table to see at a glance who offers Best Odds Guaranteed, Non-Runner No Bet, and Enhanced/Extra Places deals.
| Bookie | BOG | NRNB | EP |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBK | No (Offering Best Price instead) |
Yes | Yes |
| bet365 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Betfred | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tote | Yes | N/A (Pool) | Yes (World Pool) |
| talkSPORT Bet | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BetMGM | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Betway | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spreadex | No | Yes | No |
| Coral | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CopyBet | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Betrino | No | Yes | Yes |
📋 How we rank the best Cheltenham free bets
To make sure you get the absolute most out of your Cheltenham Festival bankroll, we’ve put the top UK bookies to the test. Here is exactly what we look for when ranking the best free bet offers for 2026:
- Biggest bang for your buck: The more ammo you have, the better. We prioritise bookmakers handing out the largest free bet bundles—like the classic “Bet £10, Get £40” or £50 offers—giving you multiple tokens to spread across different races throughout the four-day festival.
- Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG): Nobody likes missing out on a bigger payout. We heavily favour betting sites offering BOG (or Best Price like SBK). If you take an early price on a horse and its Starting Price (SP) ends up higher, you get paid out at the bigger odds. It’s an absolute must-have for punters.
- No-nonsense terms and conditions: Free bets shouldn’t feel like a trap. We read the small print so you don’t have to, focusing on fair play. We look for realistic minimum qualifying odds (like 1/2 or Evens), standard 7-day or 30-day expiries, and zero ridiculous wagering requirements, meaning you can easily withdraw your cash winnings.
- Top-tier extra perks: The best bookies go the extra mile during Festival week. Beyond the welcome bonuses, we look for sites offering daily price boosts, Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) guarantees, extra places on massive each-way handicaps, and money-back specials if your horse finishes second.
By weighing up all these factors, we’ve built the ultimate shortlist of Cheltenham offers that deliver genuine value, fairness, and a brilliant betting experience.
Types of Cheltenham offers explained
Cheltenham week means bookies are throwing offers at punters left, right, and centre. If you’re a casual bettor, the jargon can feel a bit like a minefield. Here’s a breakdown of the most common Festival promos so you know exactly what you’re claiming:
- Free Bets: The bread and butter of Festival week. Bookies give you a token (like £10 or £20) to stake on a race without touching your own cash. If your horse wins, you keep the profit (though the free bet stake itself isn’t returned).
- Enhanced Odds (Price Boosts): Bookies will massively pump up the price on a hot favourite—or a popular accumulator—to give you a bigger payout. Think getting 10/1 on a horse that’s normally Evens.
- Deposit Bonuses: A classic welcome perk. You deposit a certain amount of cash into a new account, and the bookie matches it with bonus funds or extra free bets to kickstart your Cheltenham bankroll.
- Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB): The ultimate safety net for early-bird punters. If you back a horse weeks or months before the Festival and it ends up pulling out due to injury (or running in a different race), you get your stake refunded in full. No run, no damage.
- Money Back Specials: Exactly what it says on the tin. Bookies will often refund your losing stake (usually as a free bet) if your horse suffers a bad beat—like finishing second to the Starting Price (SP) favourite, or losing by a length or less.
- Extra Each-Way Places: A lifesaver for those massive 20-horse Cheltenham handicaps. Instead of just paying out on the standard top three or four finishers, bookies will stretch the payout to five, six, or even seven places. It gives your each-way longshots a much better chance of landing a return.
- Tote Betting: Forget fixed odds; this is pool betting. Everyone’s stakes go into one massive pot, and if you back the winner, you get a share of the pool. If a shock outsider crosses the line first, the Tote payout can be absolutely massive.
- Faller Insurance: Cheltenham’s fences take no prisoners. With this offer, you might take slightly shorter odds on your horse, but if it falls, unseats the jockey, or gets brought down, you get your betting stake refunded.
New trends: Spread betting vs fixed odds
With operators like Spreadex and the Tote featuring prominently around Cheltenham, it’s important to understand how the three main betting formats offered by the UK bookies differ. So here’s a short primer to get you up to speed.
Fixed Odds (Standard)
This is the traditional bookmaker model used by operators such as bet365 and Betfred. You take a price when placing your bet, and your potential return is locked in. For example, if you back a winning horse at 5/1, you’re guaranteed $5 in profit, plus the $1 stake back for a $6 total payout.
Pool Betting (Tote)
Pool betting works differently. All player stakes go into a collective pool, and the final dividend is calculated after the race once deductions have been made. Your return will depend on how many other punters backed the same outcome, so payouts aren’t fixed at the time of betting.
Spread Betting (Spreadex)
Spread betting focuses on performance rather than simply picking the winner. For example, in a “Winning Distance” market, you are buying or selling a predicted winning margin for your horse. Your profit or loss will thus depend on how accurate your prediction is: the more right you are, the more you will win, but the more you get it wrong, the bigger the loss will be.
Risk Disclaimer: Spread betting carries significantly higher risk than fixed-odds wagering because losses are not capped at your initial stake. It is only suitable for experienced bettors who fully understand the volatility and risks involved.
👉 How to claim and use your Cheltenham free bets
The Cheltenham Festival is hands-down the best time of year to grab free bets. Bookies are practically giving away betting ammo to get your attention, from massive sign-up bundles to daily money-back specials.
If you want to build a serious bankroll for the four-day spectacular, here is your guide to doing it right:
- Pick the perfect offer: Don’t just click the first link you see. Compare the top-rated bookies on our list and look for the biggest free bet bundles (like £40 or £50) with the lowest minimum odds required to qualify (usually 1/2 or Evens).
- Sign up and opt in: Hit “Join” or “Sign Up” on the bookie’s homepage. Fill in your standard details and make absolutely sure you tick the box to opt into the welcome promotion.
- Use the right payment method: This is a classic rookie mistake. Many bookies will completely void your welcome bonus if you deposit using e-wallets like PayPal or Skrill. Play it safe and stick to a standard debit card or Apple Pay for your first deposit.
- Don’t forget the promo code: Keep your eyes peeled. If an offer requires a specific code (like “CHELT40”), make sure you pop it into the box during registration or when dropping in your first deposit.
- Place your qualifying bet: Time to put your money where your mouth is. Place your first real-money bet on a Cheltenham race. Just double-check that your horse meets the minimum odds requirement stated in the T&Cs!
- Unleash your free bets: Once your qualifying bet settles—whether it wins or loses—your account will be loaded with free bet tokens. You’ll usually see an option to “Use Free Bet” pop up right in your betslip when you pick your next horse.
- Beat the clock: Free bets don’t last forever. Most expire within 7 days, so make sure you fire them all off before the final race on Gold Cup Friday.
- Chase up missing bonuses: If your free bets don’t drop into your account straight away, don’t panic. Jump straight onto the bookie’s live chat—their customer support teams are usually blazing fast during Festival week and will sort it out in minutes.
Understanding 2026 affordability checks
The UK regulatory landscape around betting in 2026 is centred on increased player protection and financial risk monitoring, and the UK Gambling Commission plans to crack down hard. Under the new regulations, operators will have to run a light-touch financial vulnerability check when a customer reaches £150 in net deposits during a rolling 30-day period (down from £500 previously).
These checks typically use publicly available data (such as credit indicators or insolvency records) and are designed to flag potential financial risk early, usually without requiring manual action from the players.
That said, higher or unusual spending patterns can lead to requests for verification (e.g. proof of income or source of funds), and, in some cases, accounts can be temporarily restricted while these checks are completed.
Additionally, from June 30, operators will be mandated to offer deposit limit functionality to their players, along with reminders every six months to review their account and transaction information.
Advice: prepare before the festival week
Cheltenham is one of the busiest betting periods of the year, so if you expect to get heavily involved:
- Ensure your ID and address documents are verified in advance
- Keep your payment methods consistent
- Avoid large last-minute deposit spikes that could flag automated reviews
Taking these steps will reduce the risk of delays, stake limits, or account freezes during Festival week and ensure you have a seamless betting experience.
How to pick a winning horse at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival
Picking a winner in the Cheltenham cauldron is no walk in the park. But if you stick to these five golden rules, you’ll be well on your way to bashing the bookies and finding your next big payout:
- Study the form (and the hill): It’s not just about who won their last race; it’s about where they ran. Cheltenham’s infamous uphill finish eats horses alive if they lack stamina. Always look for runners with proven course form at Prestbury Park or those who have smashed it in the major winter trial races.
- Check the going: The ground conditions are an absolute dealbreaker. Some horses fly on quick, ‘Good’ ground, while others are mudlarks who only turn up when it’s ‘Soft’ or ‘Heavy’. Always check the official track conditions on the morning of the race to make sure the turf actually suits your pick.
- Follow the top jockeys: A brilliant ride can be the difference between cashing in and tearing up your betting slip. Stick with the proven heavyweights. Paul Townend is a machine around this track (already boasting over 30 Festival wins), while the likes of Mark Walsh and Harry Skelton are masters in the saddle.
- Track the master trainers: Certain yards target the Festival all year round and peak their horses perfectly for March. Willie Mullins is the undisputed King of Cheltenham—sitting comfortably clear as the most successful trainer in history with well over 100 winners. Also, keep an incredibly close eye on the Irish raiding party led by Gordon Elliott, plus British heavy hitter Nicky Henderson.
- Listen to the tipsters: Why do all the heavy lifting yourself? Respected tipsters spend all year studying the gallops, the clock, and the stable whispers. Finding a trusted racing brain can give you the edge you need to spot a massive 20/1 each-way blinder that the bookies have completely overlooked.
Popular markets for Cheltenham betting
The Cheltenham betting board can look like the Matrix if you’re a newcomer, and the sheer number of markets can leave casual punters scratching their heads. But don’t panic—sticking to the bread-and-butter bets is the best way to protect your bankroll.
Here is a breakdown of the top markets you need to know before the tapes go up:
- Win: Exactly what it says on the tin. You pick a horse, and if it crosses the finish line first, you get paid. It is the simplest, most popular, and most direct way to have a flutter.
- Each-Way (E/W): A brilliant safety net, especially for those massive 20-runner Festival handicaps. In fact, each-way bets account for approximately 25% of all wagers placed at Cheltenham! You are actually placing two equal bets: one for the horse to win, and one for it to “place” (finish in the top 3, 4, or sometimes even 5 or 6, depending on the bookie). If your horse wins, both bets pay out. If it only places, you lose the win bet but still get a tasty return on the place bet. It’s the smartest way to back a longshot.
- Betting Without The Favourite: Cheltenham is famous for “odds-on” hotpots—superstar horses so heavily backed they are deemed practically unbeatable. If a short-priced favourite is ruining the value of a race, this market simply removes them from the equation. If your pick finishes second behind that red-hot favourite, or manages to pull off a shock victory and finish first, you win your bet!
- Distance Betting: Got a sneaky feeling a horse isn’t just going to win, but completely obliterate the field? This market lets you bet on how far they will win by. If you back a horse to win by “over 3 lengths” and it bolts up the famous Cheltenham hill to win by 5, you get paid out at much juicier odds than the standard win market.
Critical update: The 2026 schedule changes
There have been several changes to the racing schedule at Cheltenham this year, with the key switch involving two well-known races trading places. The Grade 1 Close Brothers Mares Hurdle, traditionally staged on Champion Day (Tuesday), has officially been moved to St Patrick’s Thursday. In its place, the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase shifts forward from Thursday.
That change gives Day 1 an additional major handicap, while Thursday gains another Grade 1 to sit alongside the Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase. The intention here is clear: distribute top-level races more evenly across the four days of the event.
This reshuffle makes Tuesday noticeably more difficult for acca players. Champion Day now leans a bit more toward competitive handicaps, rather than the cleaner Grade 1 structure punters prefer when building accas. With the Plate joining races like the Ultima and Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, variance increases, and short-priced multiples will become harder to land.
Conversely, Thursday becomes a far stronger card. The addition of the Mares’ Hurdle alongside the Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase gives the day three Grade 1 events, making it arguably the most balanced elite racing day of the Festival.
There are a few other smaller changes, including shifting the Ryanair Chase back to a 4:00 pm start, following the Stayers’ Hurdle at 3:20 pm, reversing the order from previous years when the Ryanair was run first.
2026 Cheltenham Festival schedule (confirmed)
Here’s a complete schedule for all four days, with all the confirmed races so far.
Day 1 – Champion Day – Tuesday, March 10
| Time | Race | Grade | Race Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20pm | The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle | 2m 87y |
| 2.00pm | The Arkle Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 | Chase | 1m 7f 199y |
| 2.40pm | The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Premier Handicap | Hurdle | 2m 87y |
| 3.20pm | The Ultima Handicap Chase | Premier Handicap | Chase | 3m 1f |
| 4.00pm | The Unibet Champion Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle | 2m 87y |
| 4.40pm | The TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase | Premier Handicap | Chase | 2m 4f 44y |
| 5.20pm | The Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase | Novices’ Handicap | Chase | 3m 5f 201y |
Day 2 – Ladies Day – Wednesday, March 11
| Time | Race | Grade | Race Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20pm | The Turners Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle | 2m 5f |
| 2.00pm | The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 | Chase | 3m 80y |
| 2.40pm | The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle | Premier Handicap | Hurdle | 2m 5f |
| 3.20pm | The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase | Cross Country | Chase | 3m 6f 37y |
| 4.00pm | The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase | Grade 1 | Chase | 1m 7f 199y |
| 4.40pm | The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase | Handicap | Chase | 2m |
| 5.20pm | The Weatherbys Champion Bumper | Grade 1 | NH Flat | 2m |
Day 3 – St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday, March 12
| Time | Race | Grade | Race Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20pm | The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 2 | Hurdle | 2m 1f |
| 2.00pm | The Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase | Handicap | Chase | 2m 4f |
| 2.40pm | The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle | 2m 4f |
| 3.20pm | The Stayers’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle | 3m |
| 4.00pm | The Ryanair Chase | Grade 1 | Chase | 2m 5f |
| 4.40pm | The Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle | Handicap | Hurdle | 3m |
| 5.20pm | The Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase | Handicap | Chase | 3m 2f |
Day 4 – Gold Cup Day – Friday, March 13
| Time | Race | Grade | Race Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20pm | The JCB Triumph Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle | 2m 1f |
| 2.00pm | The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle | Handicap | Hurdle | 2m 1f |
| 2.40pm | The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase | Grade 2 | Chase | 2m 4f |
| 3.20pm | The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hurdle | 3m |
| 4.00pm | The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup | Grade 1 | Chase | 3m 2½f |
| 4.40pm | The St James’s Place Festival Hunter Chase | Hunter Chase | Chase | 3m 2½f |
| 5.20pm | The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle | Handicap | Hurdle | 2m 4½f |
FAQ: Cheltenham betting 2026
Listed are some of the most searched questions on Cheltenham Festival betting and free bets, with answers to make your experience more enjoyable.
1. Has the Cheltenham 2026 schedule changed?
Yes. The Grade 1 Close Brothers Mares Hurdle has moved from Tuesday to Thursday, switching places with the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase. This makes Day 1 more handicap-heavy and tougher for accas, while Thursday now has a stronger card with three Grade 1 and two Grade 2 races.
2. What is the difference between Tote and Fixed Odds?
Fixed odds lock in your price when you place the bet, so your returns are guaranteed at that rate if the horse wins. Tote betting uses a pool system, in which odds are calculated after the race based on total stakes, meaning the payouts can be both higher and lower than expected.
3. Can I use Spreadex for normal betting?
Yes. Spreadex offers both spread betting and a standard fixed-odds sportsbook, letting punters place traditional win and each-way bets like at any other bookie.
4. Are Cheltenham free bets available for existing customers?
For the most part, no, as these are most often used to lure in new players. That said, you’ll sometimes find daily Cheltenham free bets as surprise drops, and many UK bookies like Coral run several other worthwhile promotions for existing players.
Some notable ones are Non-Runner No Bet (ensures your stake is returned if your horse does not run), Best Odds Guaranteed (you get the best payout if your selection wins, regardless of whether the odds increase or decrease after you place your bet) and Extra Place Races (which increase the number of winning places paid out for each-way bets).
About the author
James Anderson
James Anderson is a Betting & Gaming Writer at The Sun. He is an expert in sports betting and online casinos, and joined the company in November 2020 to work closely with leading bookmakers, casinos, and online gaming companies to curate content in all areas of iGaming and sports betting. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter and Head of Live Blogs/Events at the Daily Express and Daily Star, covering football, cricket, snooker, F1 and horse racing.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – GambleAware.org
Read our guide on responsible gambling practices.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
