Cheltenham Festival 2024 | Cheltenham Races

Cheltenham Major Races

Cheltenham Free Bets

Here at HorseRacing.net, we’ve looked far and wide for some of the best Cheltenham free bet offers. Here’s a sneak preview of some of our favourites, but head over to the main page to see the full menu. 

BetMGM

New customers at BetMGM can land £40 of free bets when they sign up and bet £10. The £40 is split into a £10 horse racing bet (which you can use on Cheltenham), a £10 football bet, a £10 bet builder, and a £10 acca. 

bet365

Sign up and wager £10 at bet365 and you’ll unlock £30 of free bet credit, which can be used on a huge range of markets, including Cheltenham racing. 

BoyleSports

You’ll get the best of both worlds at BoyleSports — sign up and bet £10 and you’ll bag a £20 bonus which you can use to bet on Cheltenham, along with £10 bonus credit to use at the site’s online casino. 

Sky Bet

Sky Bet has one of the most accessible welcome offers around. All you have to do is place a bet of at least 5p at odds of evens or greater and you’ll bag 3 x £10 bet credits.

SBK

Slick, modern sportsbook SBK is a great spot for betting on Cheltenham races on your mobile. New customers can land £30 in free bets in return for staking £10 at odds of at least 1.5. This is split into three £10 free bets — one given straight away, one after 7 days, and one after 14.

Cheltenham Results

If it’s simply the winners you’re looking for, check out our Cheltenham results page, featuring results dating all the way back to 2010. For each year we have a detailed breakdown of who finished where, as well as information on each runner. 

Cheltenham Odds

Before you bet on Cheltenham festival, it’s wise to check the odds. Whether you’re doing a bit of research on which horse to back, or simply looking for the best price for your chosen runner, you can use our Cheltenham odds to compare every race during the festival. Once you’ve found your best odds, you can click through to sign up to one of our top bookies.

Cheltenham Tips

Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or are looking to make your first wager on the festival, be sure to consult our Cheltenham tips, featuring a range of picks from around the web alongside our resident tipster, Raceolly. 

Cheltenham Racecourse Guide

Cheltenham Racecourse features two different courses — the ‘old’ course and the ‘new’ course — which allow the four-day festival to host a greater variety of races. 

Unsurprisingly, the Old Course is the original track. It’s shorter and less demanding than the New Course, and is often favoured by faster horses. Races that take place on Tuesday and Wednesday use the Old Course, and the tight turns and upward slope of the last half mile can make for some exciting finishes.

The New Course offers a wider track for races taking place on Thursday and Friday. A substantial climb means races on this course are better suited to the strongest and most durable stayers. 

Cheltenham Festival Race Schedule

With four days of phenomenal National Hunt racing to look forward to, there’s plenty of opportunity to bet on Cheltenham. But when do specific events take place? Here’s a breakdown of each day of the festival. 

Day 1: Champion Day

Opening the festival is Champion Day, bringing together both reigning and future champions. The highlight of the first day is the Unibet Champion Hurdle, a Grade 1 race that’s two miles long. All seven races you can enjoy are:

• Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race;
• Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase;
• Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase;
• Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy;
• Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race;
• Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race;
• National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup.

Day 2: Festival Wednesday

Watch out for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase on the second day of Cheltenham. This Grade 1 race sees runners jump 12 fences over roughly two miles. Festival Wednesday is traditionally known as Ladies’ Day and includes the following races:

• Ballymore Novices' Hurdle;
• Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase;
• Coral Cup Hurdle;
• Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase;
• Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase;
• Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase;
• Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday

Cheltenham features a strong Irish presence throughout the festival, which is only heightened on St Patrick’s Thursday. The Grade 1 Ryanair Chase is the highlight of day three, including 17 fences over 2 miles, 4 furlongs and 127 yards. The full list includes:

• Turners Novices’ Chase;
• Pertemps Network Final;
• Ryanair Chase;
• Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle;
• Magners Plate;
• Jack de Bromhead Mares Novices’ Hurdle;
• Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.

Day 4: Gold Cup Day

Closing out the festival is Gold Cup Day, named after the most prestigious contest in jump racing — the Cheltenham Gold Cup. There’s plenty more action to tune into, including:

• JCB Triumph Hurdle;
• McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle;
• Albert Bartlett  Novices’ Hurdle;
• Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup;
• St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup;
• Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase;
• Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

Cheltenham Racecourse Visitor Guide

Thinking about making the trip to Cheltenham yourself? Check out our visitor guide below for all you need to know in order to plan your visit. 

Different Enclosures Available

Cheltenham has three different enclosures:

• The Club Enclosure is the most premium option. Ticket holders can access all public areas and are guaranteed fantastic views from the lawn, winning post, and main grandstand. Other areas included with the ticket are the Princess Royal Stand, the Village, and the Orchard. Tickets for the Club Enclosure also provide the best choice in terms of food and drink, and you can get a close look at the runners thanks to paddock viewing access.
• The Tattersalls Enclosure offers a middle ground between Club and Best Mate tickets, with up-close access to the Parade Ring, the Winner’s Enclosure, and the winning post — not to mention great views from the Tattersall Grandstand. There’s also a variety of food and drink options. 
• The Best Mate Enclosure is the cheapest option, but is by no means lacking in atmosphere. Positioned opposite the main grandstand, punters in this area will get an excellent view of the action plus access to a range of bars, food stalls, and betting facilities. 

Parking and Accommodation

Cheltenham Racecourse has an abundance of on-site parking. It’s advised to pre-book during the festival if you want a good spot, but this isn’t necessary — just be prepared for a bit of a walk! You’ll have to pay for parking during the festival or the Saturday of the November Meeting, but it’s free the rest of the year. 

If you’re going for multiple days, there’s plenty of accommodation. The racecourse is just five minutes from Cheltenham town centre, where you’ll find everything from budget-friendly chains like Travelodge and Premier Inn, to cosy B&Bs and five-star luxury at the Cotswold Grange. 

Where is Cheltenham Racecourse?

Cheltenham Racecourse is located at Prestbury Park, a short distance outside of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. It’s right next to Cheltenham Spa station, so it’s easy to visit by train. 

Those travelling by car should use the postcode GL40 4SH for directions. As well as on-site parking, there’s a dedicated bus service that runs between the station, the town centre, and the racecourse. 

If you’re coming from further afield, Birmingham and Bristol airports are both roughly 50 miles away. 

Vital Information on Visiting Cheltenham

Before you visit, keep in mind Cheltenham Racecourse is a cashless racecourse. You can use cash at the bookmakers, but be sure to bring what you need with you as there are no cash machines on site.

There’s no official dress code at Cheltenham, with the only guidance being ‘dressed to feel your best’. The organisers believe everyone and anyone should be able to enjoy racing — for a more casual look, we recommend a smart sweatshirt, jeans, and clean trainers. If you’re dressing to impress, why not go with a suit or dress? Just remember, the weather can be a little unpredictable in early March so be sure to dress accordingly!

Frequently Asked Questions About The Cheltenham Festival