Cheltenham Free Bets

Popular Cheltenham Betting Markets

There are 28 races that take place during the Cheltenham Festival, but there's no doubting the showpiece races on both the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are the feature events of the week and are the most popular betting events. On the opening day the Champion Hurdle is the feature race as the premier two-mile hurdlers do battle, while on day two the Queen Mother Champion Chase is the highlight as the elite two-mile chasers do battle.

Swiftly turning attentions to day three of the Cheltenham Festival, the Stayers' Hurdle is an extremely popular betting market, but it goes without saying that the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the major betting heat of the entire four-day National Hunt extravaganza and the Cheltenham odds for the race offer fascinating insight to the blue riband event. the premier staying chasers do battle in the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup, which has been won by some of the biggest names in the history of horse racing.

For each of the 28 races there will be a host of markets available with various betting sites, but the standout betting markets will be the win markets as punters look to back the winner of the race. Meanwhile, those looking for a little safety net could snap up the each-way market where you have to pick a selection to place. With some big-runner fields taking place throughout the Cheltenham Festival then the each-way betting is hugely popular. Other bets that can be placed and are popular are the forecast markets as you look to pick out the first and second past the post, while the Placepot and Jackpot are another brace of popular betting markets.

What is a Free Bet?

A free bet is a sportsbook bonus that gives players a specified amount of money to bet on the races when they make a qualifying bet or deposit. This bonus is usually offered to new customers, but can also be offered to existing customers, especially in the lead up to big events like the Cheltenham Festival.

As an example, both 888sport and William Hill offer new players £30 in Cheltenham free bets when they make an initial deposit of £10. 

How Does a Free Bet Work?

Free bets work sort of like tokens. Once you’ve made your qualifying bet – which will usually be a minimum £10 stake – you will receive a free bet token worth an amount that will vary depending on the bookie. That free bet can certainly be placed on the Cheltenham races, but you can also explore other markets or sports that aren’t restricted from the bonus, which you’ll be able to find out in the terms and conditions. 

How to Choose Your Free Bet

There’s a lot to consider when deciding which Cheltenham free bet to go for. Let’s break down the most important elements of free bet bonuses, so that you know what to look out for when choosing which sportsbook to sign up with.

• Qualifying bet – A qualifying bet is the amount that you will have to wager – or sometimes just deposit – of your own money in order to receive your free bets. This is usually £10, but can sometimes stretch to £20, so make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
• Minimum odds – Bookmakers will also stipulate that your qualifying bet must adhere to minimum odds requirements. These exist to prevent players from placing exceedingly safe qualifying bets, however, they are generally still rather modest. For example, at 10bet, the minimum odds for your qualifying bet is 4/5, whereas William Hill’s stands at 1/2. 
• Time limits – Your free bets will expire after a specified period of time, meaning you may not have long to use them. Free bets usually last 30 days, but some bookies – like 10bet – give new players 90 days to place their free bets however they like. If you plan on using your free bets at Cheltenham, don’t sign up for the offer too soon, as they may expire by the time March comes around.
• Available markets – Some bookies will only allow you to use your free bets on certain markets. For example, each way and permutation bets are often excluded, and if a bookmaker is offering an events-based promotion, as they will for the Cheltenham Festival, you may only be able to bet on a specific market for that particular event. 
• Wagering requirements – Wagering requirements refer to the amount that you will need to wager before you can withdraw any real cash from your free bet. For example, if your £30 free bets came with wagering requirements of 5x, you would have to wager £150 before you could make any cash withdrawals. Luckily, though these are so often the bane of online casino bonuses, you will rarely come across them at the bookies, but it’s important to be aware of them nonetheless. 
• Stake contribution – Stake contribution refers to the amount that different markets and stakes will contribute to your wagering requirements. As wagering requirements are quite rare in sports betting, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter differing stake contributions, but if you do, they will usually declare that lower stakes contribute less to your wagering requirements. Despite being uncommon, terms like these can cause confusion when stumbled across in the terms and conditions, so it’s best to be in the know. 
• Money back bet – Some bookies provide free bets in the form of a ‘money back bet’. This simply means that when you make your qualifying bet, rather than rewarding you with free bet tokens, the bookmaker will refund you if you lose. If you win, you simply keep your money. Therefore, a money back bet is a good opportunity to bet big on an outside horse, knowing full well that you’ll get your money back if it doesn’t come through.
• Payment method exclusions – Bookies will sometimes limit the payment methods you can use to make your qualifying bet, the most commonly excluded options being e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller. Just in case, always check to see if your preferred option is included.

How to Claim a Free Bet

1. Sign up to one of the bookies on our list of the best Cheltenham free bet offers, but be sure to read through the various terms and conditions beforehand;
2. Make a qualifying bet that adheres to both the minimum odds and the payment exclusions;
3. Check your account to see if you’ve received your Cheltenham free bet;
4. Explore the various markets available to you;
5. Place your first bet.

Free Bets Terms and Conditions Explained

Though it’s no fun, checking the bonus terms and conditions is very important when choosing between Cheltenham free bet offers, as they can make all the difference between one offer and the next. Here are some of the terms you need to be on the lookout for:

Win limits

Win limits – or ‘caps’ – are restrictions on how much money you can win from your free bet. Not every betting site will impose this restriction, and withdrawing the maximum amount from your bonus would be an impressive feat regardless, so this shouldn’t significantly impact your overall gambling experience. They do vary from bookie to bookie, however, so make sure you’ve checked the terms and conditions before accepting an offer. 888sport’s bonus winnings are capped at £500, for example.

Minimum odds 

Your qualifying bet must adhere to the declared minimum odds in order to receive your free bet. These will usually be low – often falling around the evens or even 1/2 mark, as it is with William Hill – so there shouldn’t be too many problems here, but it’s worth double checking just in case you fancied betting on the favourite and their odds aren’t high enough.

For a free bet promotion, we recommend you go for the safest odds possible for your qualifying deposit, and are more bold with your free bets, so that you’re not risking too much money in the pursuit of your free bet privileges. If you were playing with a money back bet, however, it might be worth going for the longer odds from the off, as you’re sure to be refunded if it doesn’t come through.

Wagering requirements 

Wagering requirements are the amount that you’ll have to wager before you can withdraw any real cash from your free bets, and as such have the frustrating ability to nullify your bonuses. 

While these are more prominent in the world of online casinos, you might still come across them at various bookies. If you do, you usually only have to wager one or two times the value of your Cheltenham free bet, which is much less than they tend to be at the casino. Therefore, wagering requirements shouldn’t make it too difficult for you to make cash returns from your free bets at online bookmakers, but even the slightest wagering requirements can present difficulties, so keep an eye out for them.

Time limits

Every bookie will declare how much time you have to place your free bets – be it one week, one month or three months. If you don’t like feeling rushed, or don’t want to have to spend quickly in order to clear any wagering requirements you might have, go for the offer with the longest shelf life. However, if you’re a frequent gambler, even one week is likely plenty of time to use all of your free bets, as long as there aren’t any wagering requirements attached. 

Market restrictions

Free bets will often be restricted to certain markets. Many free bets can only be spent on horse racing, while others allow users to explore a number of different sports and markets. Browse through the different offers and choose whichever free bet package suits you best, whether it’s one that caters specifically to the Cheltenham festival, or one that will allow you to branch out. 

Cheltenham Free Bet Offers

Pretty much all horse racing betting sites offer Cheltenham free bets, most commonly in the form of a welcome bonus. Here’s a quick look at some of the best promotions currently on offer.

BetMGM

Signing up and betting £10 at BetMGM will unlock £40 worth of bonus bets: a £10 horse racing bet to use on Cheltenham or other markets; a £10 acca; a £10 football bet; and a £10 bet builder.

bet365

bet365’s welcome bonus is one of the most flexible, giving new punters £30 of bet credit when they stake £10 at the site. Whether you’re using it on Cheltenham or something else, you can stake it however you like — all in one, or split across multiple bets. 

BoyleSports

New customers at BoyleSports can dive into both sides of this betting site, with a £10 stake unlocking £20 of free bets plus a £10 casino bonus. 

Sky Bet

We’re big fans of Sky Bet’s betting bonus, which can of course be used on Cheltenham. Once you’ve signed up and deposited £10, you have to stake just 5p on any market at 1/1 or greater and you’ll receive three £10 bet credits. 

Cheltenham Gold Cup Free Bets

The highlight of the Cheltenham Festival is undoubtedly the Cheltenham Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious National Hunt races in the world. While the festival schedule is packed with thrilling contests, the Gold Cup is not to be missed. It’s also a great time to pick up some Cheltenham free bets, particularly with additional promotions such as extra place payouts.

Horse Racing Betting Site Payment Options

To take advantage of Cheltenham free bets, you’ll usually have to make a qualifying bet at your chosen bookmaker — and to do that, you’ll need some funds in your betting wallet. Below is a rundown of some of the different payment options you might come across. But before you claim, be sure to check the T&Cs for payment exclusions. 

PayPal

One of the most popular e-wallet services, PayPal is a great choice for bettors looking to keep all their funds in one place. With a free PayPal account, you can hold a balance or link different payment cards. Then, simply use your registered email and password to log in and complete the transaction — no sharing of your financial info with the bookie is required. Along with convenience and security, withdrawal speed is another major benefit of PayPal and you’ll often receive your money within an hour or so of making the request.

Debit Cards

Still favoured by the majority of users, debit cards are a quick and simple way to make your deposit and they’re always eligible when claiming a bonus. Deposits land instantly, although withdrawals may take a few days to arrive. 

Trustly

Open Banking payment solution Trustly acts as an intermediary between your bookie and your bank account. There’s no need to sign up to use the service — instead, you connect it with your online bank account using the secure Trustly portal. From there, instant deposits and withdrawals can be made with ease, and the service is usually eligible for bonuses too.

Paysafecard

If you’d rather keep your financial details off the net altogether, a prepaid card like Paysafecard is a fantastic option. These vouchers can be bought at retail locations like newsagents or supermarkets, and the 16-digit code can then be used to deposit at Cheltenham bookies. The main drawback is withdrawals are rarely supported via this method.

Skrill

Skrill is another e-wallet popular among bettors. Benefits include strong security, convenience, and transaction speed. However, Skrill is often disqualified when claiming Cheltenham free bets, and there are also a few fees attached when moving money between your Skrill balance and a bank account. 

Neteller

Neteller is owned by the same company as Skrill, and its service is incredibly similar. As with all e-wallets, you’ll be able to complete transactions without sharing financial info with the bookmaker, but you’ll likely be disqualified from claiming any Cheltenham free bets.

Horse Racing Betting Site Bonuses

Many bookies offering Cheltenham free bets will let you use your welcome bonus on other events, or feature other promotions for existing customers. Curious what else you might find at our partner sites? Read on to find out.

Free Bets

While welcome free bets are the most common kind of offer you’ll find, they’re often dished out to existing customers too. Free bet clubs are one way in which you can get some more bang for your buck, with rewards usually landing in the laps of those who bet a certain amount within a week. Other free bets you might find are given as a ‘refund’ if your qualifying bet loses, or those that are handed out through the sportsbook’s marketing. 

Matched Deposits

Matched deposits are more often associated with online casinos, but you do occasionally find them at horse racing betting sites as well. Here, your qualifying deposit is matched by a certain percentage and up to a certain amount. A 100% match up to £20, for example, would see you get £20 in additional bet credit when you deposit £20. 

Cashback

If you’re a regular bettor, cashback promotions can be a great way to get more from your budget. Typically, cashback is given based on your total bets or losses during a certain period — say 5% on your net losses each week. The cashback will usually be given as bet credit that can’t be withdrawn, but you can still use it to bet on Cheltenham or something else.

Promo Codes

Some bonuses can be claimed with a promo code that’s entered when you sign up or make a deposit. Rewards can include things like free bets, matched deposits, and odds boosts. Where can you find these codes? Sometimes it pays to opt into marketing emails or follow your bookie on social media, but you can also receive them directly through your sportsbook account. 

Enhanced Odds

Enhanced odds or odds boosts are a fantastic way to increase the profit on winning bets. Often, specific markets are given an enhanced price, but you might also get a token to use on a market of your choice. The price is boosted — say from 2/1 to 3/1 — and if your bet wins, you’ll benefit from the uplift.

Free Spins

Many horse racing betting sites double up as online casinos, and free spins are an excellent way to get a taste of the slots without betting your own money. Sometimes, these are bundled in with a betting bonus or offered as a separate welcome package to use at the online casino. Keep in mind these deals usually come with wagering requirements which prevent you from withdrawing the bonus and resulting winnings until they’re fulfilled. 

Cheltenham Results

Our site is a one-stop shop for all things Cheltenham, and that includes results for every single race over the four days. As soon as the horses are across the line and the winners are confirmed, you’ll find the finishing order published on our page along with more details about each runner. Simply head over to our Cheltenham results page to get started, where we have historic results going all the way back to 2010. 

Cheltenham Odds

Not all betting sites are created equal when it comes to how they price their markets. Fortunately, our extensive coverage of Cheltenham odds will let you find the best odds across every race at the festival. Simply click through and select your race to compare odds on Cheltenham.

Cheltenham Tips

It always helps to do a little research before placing your bet, but with so many high-quality races over the four days it can be hard to keep up. Our Cheltenham tips have you covered — we’ve got plenty from around the web as well as our resident tipster Raceolly to help you make your selections on every race at Cheltenham. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cheltenham Free Bets