
FREE 1 month full trial of TipMan Elite which includes the full service, no limits. Cancel anytime and no obligations to continue or pay!
The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest and most competitive week in National Hunt racing, and for bettors it represents the most intense and opportunity-rich betting event of the entire season.
Held over four days in March 2026, the Festival features 28 races, including multiple Grade 1 contests and some of the deepest handicaps run all year. The combination of elite horses, maximum pressure, full fields, and aggressive market pricing makes Cheltenham unlike any other meeting.
Cheltenham Festival betting requires:
-
An understanding of course form and track demands
-
A clear approach to handicaps vs Grade 1 races
-
Discipline with staking and market timing
-
The ability to separate hype from genuine Festival contenders
This guide is designed to provide Cheltenham Festival 2026 tips, betting insight, and strategic guidance, all in one place — from early ante-post angles through to Gold Cup Day.
Cheltenham is not a meeting where casual form reading is enough. Festival winners often come from very specific profiles, and understanding those patterns is essential.
Our Cheltenham analysis focuses on:
-
Cheltenham course form – the undulating track, stiff finish and unique fences place extreme demands on balance, stamina and jumping
-
Festival experience – horses proven under the Cheltenham atmosphere consistently outperform those attending for the first time
-
Trainer and jockey Festival records – some yards target Cheltenham relentlessly, others do not
-
Race tempo and field size – particularly crucial in handicaps where position and jumping under pressure decide outcomes
-
Market behaviour – identifying when hype horses are overbet and where genuine value remains
Cheltenham is about finding the right bets, not betting every race.
New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Football on odds of min 1.5 (1/2), get £50 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifying bet has been settled. Rewards valid for 90 days. Only deposits via cards & Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Registration required. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware.org Please gamble responsibly.
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. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply, 18+. BeGambleAware.org.
The Cheltenham Festival runs across four days, each with its own character and betting angles.
Day 1 – Champion Day
-
Champion Hurdle
-
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
-
Arkle Trophy
Typically features high-intensity Grade 1 races where speed, class and Festival temperament are vital.
Day 2 – Ladies Day
-
Queen Mother Champion Chase
-
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
-
Cross Country Chase
Often a mix of elite races and complex handicaps, requiring discipline and selectivity.
Day 3 – St Patrick’s Thursday
-
Stayers’ Hurdle
-
Ryanair Chase
-
Paddy Power Plate
Traditionally one of the best days for handicaps, with Irish-trained runners heavily involved.
Day 4 – Gold Cup Day
-
Cheltenham Gold Cup
-
Triumph Hurdle
-
County Hurdle
The most prestigious day — and often the most emotional betting environment.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the pinnacle of staying chase division racing.
Historically, Gold Cup winners tend to:
-
Be proven stayers over three miles
-
Have strong Cheltenham form
-
Show accurate jumping under pressure
-
Peak in March rather than earlier in the season
Gold Cup betting markets include:
-
Win & each-way
-
Place betting
-
Forecasts & tricasts
Discipline is essential — this race attracts huge public money.
Ante-post betting becomes increasingly popular in January and February, but it comes with additional risk.
Pros:
-
Bigger early prices
-
Ability to beat market moves
Cons:
-
Non-runner risk
-
Uncertain race targets
Ante-post Cheltenham betting works best when:
-
A horse has a clear Festival target
-
Connections have stated intentions
-
The price compensates for risk
Not every Festival bet should be ante-post.
Cheltenham offers more betting options than any other meeting.
Key markets include:
-
Win & each-way betting (with enhanced place terms in handicaps)
-
Handicaps vs non-handicaps
-
Forecasts & tricasts
-
Multiples and accumulators
Understanding race type and field size is critical before selecting markets.
Cheltenham is a high-variance betting environment.
Best practice includes:
-
Flat staking across the week
-
Avoiding emotional “get-out” bets
-
Treating each race independently
-
Accepting losing runs as part of Festival betting
Cheltenham rewards patience far more than aggression.
Cheltenham results should always be viewed in long-term context.
-
Festival betting involves deep fields and fine margins
-
Short-term outcomes can be misleading
-
Transparency and tracking matter more than single-week results
A structured approach beats reactionary betting every time.
When is Cheltenham Festival 2026?
The Cheltenham Festival takes place over four days in March 2026.
How many races are at Cheltenham Festival?
There are 28 races across the four days.
Is Cheltenham hard to bet on?
Yes — competitive fields and market pressure make it challenging but rewarding with the right approach.
Are Cheltenham handicaps profitable?
They can be, but they require discipline, strong race reading and price sensitivity.
Cheltenham Festival betting is available through UK-licensed bookmakers. You must be 18+ to place bets. Always gamble responsibly, set limits, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
- Free Football Betting Tips – Daily football tips, accumulators, and previews across the Premier League, Champions League, EFL, and Europe’s top leagues.
- Free Horse Racing Tips – Today’s NAPs, Lucky 15s, ITV Racing previews, and big-race festival insights.
- Latest Sports News & Previews – Stay ahead with the latest previews, betting stats, and multi-sport coverage from across the world of sport.
- Free Bets & Bookmaker Offers – Unlock the best free bet deals, enhanced odds, and bookmaker promotions to maximise your betting value.
- Premium TipMan Subscriptions – Upgrade to Premium and access exclusive betting strategies, expert tips, staking plans, and profit-tracking tools from the TipMan team.
- NFL Betting Tips – NFL betting tips and predictions are expert-led analyses designed to uncover value across the most popular NFL betting markets, including point spreads, totals (over/under), player props, same-game bet builders, and futures. Unlike casual picks, professional NFL betting tips focus on probability, price and long-term edge, rather than simply predicting winners.
- World Cup 2026 Betting Tips – The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest and most complex World Cup ever staged, featuring 48 teams, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and running throughout June and July 2026.
- Cheltenham Festival 2026 Betting Tips – The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest and most competitive week in National Hunt racing, and for bettors it represents the most intense and opportunity-rich betting event of the entire season.
Join TipMan Ultimate Today
Take your betting to the next level with TipMan Premium. Trusted by thousands of members for profitable football and horse racing tips every day. Get expert analysis, exclusive offers, and insider strategies proven to boost your winning edge.
-
Cheltneham 2026 Racing Tips
-
Daily Football & Racing Tips
-
High-Value Accas & Multiples
-
Tracking Record of Proven Profit
The Latest News
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa Bet Builder Tips and Predictions
Free Football Tips Today – Wednesday 7th January 2026
TODAY’S 72/1 Mega Acca Tips – Bet365 Football Accumulator (Wednesday 7th January)
Burnley vs Manchester Utd Prediction and 6/1 Bet Builder Tip | Premier League
Free Horse Racing Tips Today – Wednesday 7th January 2026
FREE 1 month full trial of TipMan Elite which includes the full service, no limits. Cancel anytime and no obligations to continue or pay!
Free to play. Cash prizes, free bets or Free Spins available. New and eligible customers only. Game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply.
1 month free of TipMan's Ultimate subscription service. Full access, no limits. Rolls onto Subscription.
New customers only. Free bets credited following registration. Must be wagered 1x at min odds of 1/2 (1.5). 7-day expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional terms apply. 18+. Gambleaware.org
18+ New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. £40 in FREE Bets (FB) as £30 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply
18+ New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet min £5 (up to £40) on Sports at 1/1+ odds within 3 days of registration. Should your first bet lose, get your initial stake up to £40 Free Bets for set markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on any NFL market at odds of min 1/2 (1.5) and get £50 in free bet builders & multiples. Free bet rewards valid for 90 days. Only deposits via Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
New customers only. Free bets credited following registration. Must be wagered 1x at min odds of 1/2 (1.5). 7-day expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional terms apply. 18+. Gambleaware.org
18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. 1st Deposit & Bet £/€10+ at min odds 1/2 on Sports within 14 days of account reg & Get 4x £10 Free Bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days) Max 1 Free Bet per player. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
18+. New UK & ROI customers only . Certain deposit methods & bet types excl . Min first £10 win or E/W bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 & get 4 x £10 free bets . Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&C apply .
New customers only. To qualify for free bets, the new user must place and settle £20 on easyBet markets. The user must bet on at least 2 different events to qualify. The user must place and settle bets at odds of 2.0 or more. An event is classed as two different sporting events. Bets can be placed on singles, multiples and Bet Builders. The user must place and settle bets before the closing date of the promotion to qualify. Users making their first deposit by Skrill, Neteller or PaySafe card will not qualify for this promotion. T&C's Apply. Gamble Aware. 18+
New Customers Only. Sign up to Matchbook with bonus code: GET100. Bet and Settle 5 x £10 Bets on 5 different Horse Racing markets at odds of 2.0 or more. Qualified users will get 5x£10 Free bets within 48 hours of qualifying. Qualified users will receive any commission paid between Registration and December 22nd 2025 23:59GMT as free bet tokens. E.g. if a user pays £35.83 in commission they will receive 3 x £10 free Bets, 1 x £5.83 Free Bet. 18+ Only. T's and C's Apply. Be Gamble Aware.
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet £10+ (odds 2.00+) on any Sports market within 7 days of registration. No cashout. Get £30 Sports Free Bets for specified markets & £10 Casino Bonus (40x wagering, max withdrawal £250). All rewards expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Registration required. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware.org Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. £40 in FREE Bets (FB) as £30 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.
18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile or app and bet £10 on any sport market (odds of 2.00+) within 7 days of registration. Get 3x£10 Free Bets on selected sport markets, which expire in 7 days. Scroll for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
New customers only. Football Accas only. 5 legs or more. Odds 1/1 or greater. 5 x £10 bet tokens. Free Bet stakes not included in returns. Free Bets for Football Accas (5+ legs) only. Free Bets non withdrawable. Free Bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
18+ New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. £40 in FREE Bets (FB) as £30 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.
No fluff. No gimmicks. Just solid tips — delivered straight to you.
Use discount code 'HALFPRICE' at the checkout and Join over 2,300 savvy bettors who are already profiting from expert football and horse racing tips. Tipman Tips offers you unparalleled insights, backed by a tipster team with a 9-year winning track record.
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply.
To activate your 50% Back as a Free Bet up to £25 Welcome Offer, simply deposit and bet £10+ on any sports market at minimum odds of evens (2.00) or greater, during your first day's activity.At least 3 bets must be placed to qualify for 50% back, two of which must be 50% in value of the largest bet you place. All qualifying bets at minimum odds of evens. New UK customers only. 18+ GambleAware.
Join a limited group of elite bettors enjoying our most profitable service to date. TipMan Elite uses state-of-the-art, in-house betting software and a precision value betting strategy to deliver consistent long-term success.
Join over 2,300 savvy bettors who are already profiting from expert football and horse racing tips. Tipman Tips offers you unparalleled insights, backed by a tipster team with a 9-year winning track record.
Headline Terms: 18+. New customers only. Place a minimum £40 bet on any selection with minimum odds of Evens (2.00) and receive a 4x£5 Free Bets. Free bets expire after 24 hours. BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs & Maximum Pay-Outs Apply. #ad
Available to verified customers residing in the UK. Opt-in is required. Place your first bet of £10 at minimum odds of 1/1 on any sports market within 7 days of registering. Get £30 in Free Bets (2 x £10 Horse Racing Free Bet + 1 x £10 Football Acca Free Bet) T&Cs apply. 18+ Please gamble responsibly.
18+. New Customers Only. Opt in and bet £10 on football (odds 2.00+) within 3 days. No cash-out. Get 3x£10 Free Bets for set markets and a £10 Slot Bonus for Big Bass Splash, 30x wagering, to withdraw max £250. Rewards expire in 10 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
*New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accepted in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+ †Members only.Use Free Bet on any Bet Builder market for the selected football match by kick-off (EVS min odds). Free Bet: login & accept via pop-up, max 1/ Member. Free Bet varies from £1 - £20 per Member. Stakes not returned T&Cs apply. Click here for full T&Cs. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+
New members only. Any new account registration or bets settled on 5 April 2025 are not eligible for this Welcome Offer. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+
18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
18+ New customers only. Opt in, deposit & bet £10 (odds 2.00+) within 7 days of registration. Get £30 in Free Bets for selected markets, 7 days expiry. T&Cs apply, see below. gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
New customers only. Deposit min £10 (PayPal & PaySafe excluded) for 50 Free Spins at 10p on selected games + 100% odds boost token (Max £10), Max win from spins £1000. T&Cs apply.
New bettors. Select bonus at signup or use code SPORT. Wager deposit & bonus 8x. Max qualifying bet = bonus. Valid 60 days. Odds, bet & payment limits apply. T&Cs apply. 18+.
Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. Place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 Race Index spread bet.
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. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply, 18+. BeGambleAware.org.
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. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply, 18+. BeGambleAware.org.
Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Registration required. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware.org Please gamble responsibly.
New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Football on odds of min 1.5 (1/2), get £50 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifying bet has been settled. Rewards valid for 90 days. Only deposits via cards & Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile or app and bet £10 on any sport market (odds of 2.00+) within 7 days of registration. Get 3x£10 Free Bets on selected sport markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
New customers only. Football Accas only. 5 legs or more. Odds 1/1 or greater. 5 x £10 bet tokens. Free Bet stakes not included in returns. Free Bets for Football Accas (5+ legs) only. Free Bets non withdrawable. Free Bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
Free to play - win cash prizes or Free Spins. Only available to new & eligible customers. Game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply.
New Customer offer - Use promo code YSKAST. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £30 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly
New customers only. Football BuildABet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 5 x £10 Bet tokens. Free Bet stakes not included in returns. Free Bets for Football BuildABets only. Free Bets non withdrawable. Free Bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
