Your Guide to Cheltenham Betting Odds and Tips (2021)

Cheltenham Betting Odds, Tips, and Predictions

The 2021 Cheltenham Festival is scheduled to begin on March 16 (Tuesday) and end on Marchtok 19 (Friday). This means four action-packed days of uninterrupted horse racing (and a whole lot of betting)!

In the following sections of this guide, you will find updated Cheltenham betting odds for 2021, tips, and Cheltenham Festival predictions. We've also published schedules of all the Cheltenham races, along with leading contenders for the 2021 edition, and our favourite trainers.

Cheltenham Betting Odds 2021

Below are the updated odds for the upcoming Cheltenham races.

2021 Champion Hurdle Challenge Winner Odds

(Cheltenham Festival Day One, Tuesday, March 16, 2021)

2021 Champion Chase Winner Odds

(Cheltenham Festival Day Two, Wednesday, March 17, 2021)

2021 Cheltenham Ryanair Chase Winner Odds

(Cheltenham Festival Day Three, Tuesday, March 18, 2021)

2021 Stayers’ Hurdle Winner Odds

(Cheltenham Festival Day Three, Thursday, March 18, 2021)

2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner Odds

(Cheltenham Festival Day Four, Friday, March 19, 2021)

You will find odds for all Cheltenham races at the best India horse racing betting sites.

Cheltenham Betting Predictions 2021

With a total of 28 races rounding off the festival, we have compiled our predictions for the five most popular (once can argue, of course) below. These are the Champion Hurdle Challenge, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Cheltenham Betting Predictions for the Champion Hurdle Challenge

Race day – March 16 (Day 1)

Time – 15:30

Surprisingly, the 2021 Champion Hurdle is now a lot more unpredictable than it previously was, thanks to the shock defeat that last year’s winner Epatante suffered over Kempton around Christmas. Of course, there was a valid excuse for the upset, and the mare will certainly be primed by trainer Nicky Henderson this time in a bid to redeem her reputation, thankfully on suitable conditions.

Bet on Epatante @ 2.25 with bet365

Bet on Sharjah @ 8 with bet365

Cheltenham Betting Predictions for the Queen Mother Champion Chase

Race day – March 17 (Day 2)

Time – 15:30

A spectacle unfolds over two miles at the Champion Chase. This storied event has produced some notable photo finishes over the last few years. In 2020, Politologue won the race that almost fell apart. This time around, the 10-year-old grey gelding stands vulnerable in front of the younger Chacun Pour Soi as he attempts to defend his crown.

Bet on Chacun Pour Soi @ 1.10 with bet365

Bet on Altior @ 8 with Unibet

Cheltenham Betting Predictions for the Ryanair Chase

Race day – March 18 (Day 3)

Time – 14:50

The Grade 1 Ryanair Chase is the perfect platform for runners who are just shy of top-class and would probably not cut it at the Cheltenham Gold Cup. At a distance of 2m 4 ½f, this Cheltenham race has produced a few memorable finishes of its own since its inauguration in 2005. The 2021 chapter looks all the more exciting, with last year’s winner Min the current favourite again.

Bet on Min @ 5 with 888sport

Bet on Allaho @ 6 with bet365

Cheltenham Betting Predictions for the Stayers’ Hurdle

Race day – March 18 (Day 3)

Time – 15:30

The 2021 Stayers’ Hurdle will witness one of the most eagerly awaited clashes in Jump racing, as old foes Thyme Hill and Paisley Park get ready to leave each other behind as they stampede across the energy-sapping three-mile trip. Paisley Park won in 2019, but suffered a heavy defeat last year when Lisnagar Oscar pulled off a shock victory.

However, Paisley has returned in good form since, with rival Thyme Hill closing in on the nine-year-old gelding. 2021 should certainly be their season.

Bet on Paisley Park @ 3.3 with bet365

Bet on Thyme Hill @ 4 with bet365

Cheltenham Betting Predictions for the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Race day – March 19 (Day 4)

Time – 15:30

Cheltenham Festival’s highlight reel for sure! The 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup is set to be riveting as usual, as spectators wait with bated breath to see if Al Boum Photo can register a remarkable three wins on the trot. At current odds of 3.5, he cuts a profitable proposition for punters. That said, the real value could lie somewhere else.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead appears bullish about the chances of his A Plus Tard. The seven-year-old bay gelding landed an impressive victory at Leopardstown and is reportedly heading straight to Cheltenham, fresh and battle-ready.

Bet on Al Boum Photo @ 3.5 with bet365

Bet on A Plus Tard @ 10 with bet365

So those were our predictions for the five more popular Cheltenham races. That said, the other 23 races are exciting in equal measure, with significant win potential for bettors. However, keep in mind that, while you can always turn to our Cheltenham betting predictions, you should also do your own research on the side.

Alternatively, if you are more of a cricket enthusiast and would like to bet on the flurry of international matches happening throughout the year, we’ve got you covered. Check out the best cricket prediction in the world on our site, as well as the top cricket tournaments and the best cricket betting sites out there.

Cheltenham Betting Tips 2021

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to liken the Cheltenham Festival to a pilgrimage for all followers of this beautiful sport. The best horses from Ireland and Britain line up for a four-day carnival of top-class racing – and betting.

Because this extravaganza bears such significance within the top echelons of horse racing, Cheltenham lures both new and season punters every year. Thankfully, our free Cheltenham betting tips are everything you’ll need for the 2021 edition. Let’s begin:

Take a Look at Last Year's Races

Surely Cheltenham betting tip#1. The previous year’s showing is always a true indicator of things to come at the Cheltenham Festival. Watch the races that took places the year before online and refresh your memory. Pay attention to factors like the horses in handicaps, or who made a mistake at a bad time, or who ran on the wrong side of the track.

PRO CHELTENHAM BETTING TIP

Instead of only focusing on the winners, try and assess how the races panned out, and find out the lesser-known angles. The festival places unique demands on horses, considering Cheltenham races are run faster compared to the everyday contests. Also, the field sizes are larger compared to your usual Monday-Friday races. Remember, the bigger the field size, the more significant the effect in performance.

Wager Only With Longer odds

Your discipline will be put to the litmus test at the Cheltenham Festival; with a bevvy of A1 races lined up every day, it is easy to go overboard. Therefore, it is crucial you stick to the best prices rather than your fancies. Your mantra should be only to bet when the odds are in your favour.

Steer clear of any sentiment – for instance, an affinity for a horse you might have backed last year.

PRO CHELTENHAM BETTING TIP

Bet during the early morning of race days, when the margins are still not set (or are very low). Wager at the best price available, or bet each-way if the place terms appear profitable, and utilise the cashback offers. These are what constitute that fine line between profit and loss over the four days.

Avoid the Short-Priced Big Names

You will find the biggies almost invariably under-priced. They could be over-fancied as well, but we aren’t getting into that. The point we are making here is that the bigger names (or as we like to call them, the ‘public horses’) have benefitted bookmakers for decades. There is no point in backing them as bookie margins are incredibly high, thanks to the hundreds of thousands of punters putting their money on them.

PRO CHELTENHAM BETTING TIP

The best way to go about Cheltenham betting is to avoid the obvious under-priced selections (unless, of course, you have wagered ante-post and secured a hefty price). There is little to no point weighing in at an 11/10 on a fancy bigwig, especially if there are other smaller, in-form horses on the up without a massive following.

Bet Early

We’ve already mentioned this Cheltenham betting tip briefly above. By showtime, markets have already settled, and all early errors ironed out. Avoid just-in-time betting altogether – go about all your betting business early in the morning to get the best odds possible. The idea is to shop around and compare prices from multiple bookies.

PRO CHELTENHAM BETTING TIP

Use an odds-comparison website. You will get the best prices there, coupled with any ongoing offers at any point in time.

Irish Over English

Well, at least in the handicaps. It’s out there for everyone to see – Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins have had the maximum impact in recent years, both priming battle-ready teams for consistent Cheltenham Festival successes.

PRO CHELTENHAM BETTING TIP

Runners from the other side of the channel are safer bets, particularly when it comes to handicaps.

Have Faith in Upcoming Trainers

Far too many punters put their money on horses that the top jockeys choose. Instead, watch out for lesser-known but promising names like Kevin Brogan and Jack Tudor. Young jockeys like them are expected to display excellent low-profile rides across the Cheltenham Festival.

PRO CHELTENHAM BETTING TIP

What is Cheltenham betting if you can’t find any value? Top jockeys play the Pied Piper to punters, with everybody wagering almost mindlessly on these riders. Stay focused and don't follow the crowd!

Cheltenham Horse Racing Live Streaming on bet365

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Cheltenham Betting Markets 2021

The best sports betting India sites (at least most of them) should offer a mix of Cheltenham betting markets. Stated below are some ways you can go about wagering on the festival:

Ante-Post Betting

Simply put, ante-post Cheltenham betting (also called the Futures market) means you bet on a race far ahead of its actual schedule. The benefit is that you get enhanced odds, considering there is also that greater degree of risk you decide to shoulder. That’s because, should your selection not run at the Cheltenham festival, your bet would be deemed a loser, instead of your stake being voided.

Unless of course, you get lucky with the Non-Runner No Bet promo, which we shall address later on in this article.

Recommended bookie for Ante-Post Cheltenham Betting: bet365

Each-way betting

This is two separate wagers rolled into one, where the stake is doubled. While one half of the bet will return a payout at full odds (if your selection wins), the other half serves as an insurance that pays out even if your selection doesn’t win (but places). Let us explain.

Suppose you place an each-way bet worth Rs.50. In this case, your stake doubles to Rs.100 (since there are two parts to the wager). If your selection wins, both halves of the bet pay out. However, if the horse doesn’t win (but finishes within the top three or five), the second half of the bet will kick in, paying out at a fraction of the odds. Usually, it is ⅓, ¼, or ⅕ of the actual odds, unless the bookie is running a promotion.

Whether the horse must finish within the top three or five spots is a decision that rests on the bookie. However, it isn’t arbitrary, and it depends on the field size and the number of contenders in the race.

Recommended bookie for Each Way Cheltenham Betting: 888sport | Unibet | bet365

Forecast and Reverse Forecast

Forecast betting is easy to understand. Here, you simply predict the top two selections in a race and the specific order in which they finish. Suppose you place a forecast bet on Al Boum Photo and A Plus Tard at the Cheltenham Gold Cup:

• Placing a straight forecast means you back these two horses to finish at the top two spots (for instance, Al Boum Photo to win and A Plus Tard to come in second). Your bet wins only if the race finishes in that order.
• A reverse forecast is more straightforward, and hence, carries shorter odds. Consider the same selections. Placing a reverse forecast means the race must finish with Al Boum Photo and A Plus Tard occupying the top two positions, irrespective of the specific order of finish. This bet is essentially two straight forecasts, and hence, twice the stake.

Forecast betting, though commonly associated with racing sports, is becoming increasingly popular in football as well.

Recommended bookie for Forecast Cheltenham Betting: 888sport | NetBet

Placepot

The Tote Placepot is a hot favourite among UK and Ireland’s horse racing enthusiasts. This kind of bet allows you to win big from a small stake, and you don’t even have to choose a clear winner! Placepot betting is available across horse races of the world, including the Cheltenham Festival.

Here’s how this Cheltenham betting market works. To win the Tote placepot at the Cheltenham Festival, for instance, you must pick a selection to place in the first six races. The number of places on offer will depend on the field size (number of contenders in a particular race). Now, suppose one of the races is particularly difficult to call or has a large field size. In that case, it is worth picking more than one selection.

How do you calculate your total stake? Simple, just multiply the number of selections in each race. For example:

• Race 1: 2 selections
• Race 2: 1 selection
• Race 3: 2 selections
• Race 4: 3 selections
• Race 5: 1 selection
• Race 6: 2 selections

Therefore, total lines = 24. Your stake will be determined accordingly.

Recommended bookie for Placepot Cheltenham Betting: bet365

Accumulators

Known popularly as ‘acca’ in horse racing circles, accumulator bets are arguably the most popular of the lot. These roll multiple selections (four or more, in most cases) into one bet, offering punters the chance to scoop massive payouts. However, remember that all the selections must win for a payout. Even if one fails, the bet would be a loser.

Besides Cheltenham betting, football betting enthusiasts have warmed up to accas as well, considering you can back multiple selections across matches/races at the same time.

Bear in mind that all the selections must be from different matches/races. For instance, if you opt for a four-fold acca at the Cheltenham Festival, you have to back four selections across as many Cheltenham races.

Head over to our complete guide to accumulator betting, which details everything you need to know about this high-profit wager that’s becoming more popular by the day.

Recommended bookie for Cheltenham Betting Accumulator: 888sport | NetBet

Cheltenham Festival 2021: Tournament Structure and Schedule

Keep abreast of Cheltenham betting with this comprehensive schedule of all the races:

The four-day Jump racing festival will be held from Tuesday (March 16) to Friday (March 19). Under current government restrictions, the Cheltenham Festival in 2021 will be a televised-only event, with no spectators allowed at the racecourse.

Day 1: Tuesday, March 16

Day 2: Wednesday, March 17

Day 3: Thursday, March 18

Day 4: Friday, March 19

Popular Races for Cheltenham Betting

The Cheltenham Festival comprises 28 races, which are a mix of Grade 1 and Grade 2 Chase and Hurdle types. Sure, all of them are significant, but four particular races that stand out, with their popularity attracting Cheltenham betting enthusiasts in droves.

Champion Hurdle

The Champion Hurdle is run on Day 1 (on the old course) of the Cheltenham Festival. It is a Grade 1 hurdle race and one of the five feature events of the annual meet. Open to four-years-old horses and over, the Champion Hurdle unfolds over two miles and half a furlong (3298 metres), with eight hurdles to be jumped.

Past Winners of the Champion Hurdle

Queen Mother Chase

Just a little shy of two miles, the Queen Mother Chase is a Grade 1 chase that takes place on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival.

Past Winners of the Queen Mother Chase

Stayers’ Hurdle

This Grade 1 hurdle race is open to four-years-old and over. The feature race of Day 3, the Stayers’ Hurdle measures almost three miles (4875 metres, to be specific) in distance, with a total of twelve hurdles to be jumped.

Past Winners of the Stayers’ Hurdle

Cheltenham Gold Cup

Open to five-years-old and over, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is undoubtedly the highlight reel of the Cheltenham Festival (and the most significant race across the entire Jump season). It is run on Day 4 of the annual horse racing meet, with a distance of over three miles and two-and-a-half furlongs as well as 22 fences on the way to victory.

Past Winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup

2021 Cheltenham Festival: Leading Contenders

Think you’re ready for Cheltenham betting? Then see below for our list of what we think are the top bets for the 2021 festival:

Nube Negra

The seven-year-old brown gelding is our Cheltenham betting favourite # 1. Dan Skelton’s chaser showed great ability last year at his first fence season. But the magic happened when he made his Kempton seasonal debut over Christmas, winning the Desert Orchid Chase, with Altior coming in at #2. The latest news is that Nube Negra is heading directly to the Champion Chase.

Bet on Nube Negra with bet365

French Aseel

The four-year-old is underrated for sure, and there can be no denying his impressive debut over Christmas at Leopardstown. To us, French Aseel seems like the leading challenger for the Triumph Hurdle on Day 4. Definitely our #2 Cheltenham betting pick.

Bet on French Aseel with 888sport

Appreciate It

With six Grade 1 victories, Willie Mullins dominated at Leopardstown – this hurdler cemented his reputation by winning under the confident Paul Townend. He had already proven his natural hurdling abilities previously at Cork, and you can expect that experience to come in handy at the 2021 Supreme Novice.

Cheltenham betting on Appreciate It available at Unibet

Other Cheltenham Betting Favourites

• Heross Du Seuil
• Shan Blue

2021 Cheltenham Festival: Favourite Trainers

Here are the trainers you should keep an eye on before you get started with Cheltenham betting:

Willie Mullins

The big dog in Ireland has always maintained an enviable strike rate. At the Leopardstown Festival over Christmas, the Irish yard was in top form, with 16 winners (from 49 runners), six Grade 1 victories, and an incredible amount of prize money. The stars who shone bright were Concertista, Chacun Pour Soi, Appreciate It, Sharjah, and Monkfish.

It is likely to be the same story this time around too, with all early signs pointing at a blistering season for the Irish, especially with Altior and Epatante disappointing in December. Want to win big from Cheltenham betting? We hope you got the hint.

Henry de Bromhead

The Irish surely know a thing or two about training their horses right. The astute Bromhead has had a terrific record going for him at the Cheltenham Festival, and we don’t think 2021 will be any different.

As a Cheltenham betting enthusiast, you could put your money on A Plus Tard at the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Our inkling here stems from the seven-year-old gelding’s dramatic win at Savills Chase over Christmas, and we believe it was no fluke.

Gordon Elliott

It’s the Irish everywhere you look! At the 2020 Cheltenham races, Elliott was outstanding, sending out seven winners. This time, we expect the 42-year-old to pose a stiff challenge to old rival and fellow countryman Willie Mullins.

Dan Skelton

This ambitious young trainer epitomises ‘quality over quantity’. With the likes of Nube Negra, Midnight River, and Shan Blue, Dan Skelton will surely look forward to yet another happy outing at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

Other Cheltenham Betting Favourites

• Nicky Henderson

Cheltenham Betting: Best Non-Runner No Bet Bookies

Suppose you found value in ante-post Cheltenham betting and placed an early wager. However, on race day, your selection doesn’t run. Worried that your bet will be deemed a loser? Well, with a Non-Runner No Bet, it won’t.

That’s the beauty of this type of wager. NRNB serves as insurance; you get your stake refunded in full should the horse not run the particular race you had wagered on. Also, if your selection was part of an accumulator (and it doesn’t eventually run), it will be removed from the acca and the wager downgraded by one. For example, a treble would become a double.

With ante-post Cheltenham betting, you should ideally opt for a bookie that offers Non-Runner No Bet as standard.

Recommended Cheltenham Betting Sites Offering NRNB: BoyleSports | Unibet | bet365

Cheltenham Festival: Stats, Facts, and Figures

• Prize money for the 2019 Cheltenham Festival was a record £4,590,000 – that is more than £1,000,000 per day.
• Irish-trained horses have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup 25 times.
• The most wins in one year by any jockey at the Cheltenham Festival is 7 by Ruby Walsh (2016).
• Record consecutive victories by a horse at any Cheltenham race is 6 by Quevega (Mares’ Hurdle, 2009-2014).
• The Cheltenham Festival has five feature races: Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
• In 2018, Katie Walsh became the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 race (The Weatherbys Champion Bumper) at the Cheltenham Festival. In 2019, both Racheal Blackmore and Bryony Frost won Grade 1 races.

Cheltenham Betting FAQs

When is the Cheltenham Festival?

The 2021 Cheltenham Festival will be held from March 16 (Tuesday) to March 19 (Friday).

Where is the Cheltenham Festival held?

The four-day Cheltenham Festival takes place at the Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

What are some of the best Cheltenham betting sites?

All the bookmakers listed in this article offer competitive Cheltenham betting odds and a splendid wagering experience overall. But if you were to ask us, we’d surely single out bet365, 888sport, and NetBet as being the very best. Make no mistake, the other Cheltenham betting sites are equally good, but these three are at the top of our list.

What are the marquee races at the Cheltenham Festival?

All the Cheltenham races have a bit of a history going for them. But yes, there are four races that, for the lack of a better word, headline the four days of the festival. These are the:

• Champion Hurdle on Day 1 (open to four-years-old and up)
• Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase on Day 2 (open to five-years-old and up)
• Stayers’ Hurdle on Day 3 (open to four-years-old and up)
• Cheltenham Gold Cup on Day 4 (open to five-years-old and up)

The Cheltenham betting sites we’ve put together offer odds and multiple markets for all the Cheltenham races.

Who have been the most famous jockeys at the Cheltenham Festival?

The most notable jockey has got to be Ruby Walsh with 59 wins to his name, until his retirement in 2019. He is closely followed by Berry Geraghty (43 wins; still racing), Sir Anthony McCoy (31 wins; retired in 2015), Pat Taafe (25 wins; retired in 1970), and Davy Russell (25 wins; still racing).

It would be a prudent Cheltenham betting strategy to follow the jockeys who are still in the business.

Can I bet on the Cheltenham Festival if I am not from India?

Why, of course you can! Thanks to online betting, you can bet from anywhere in the world. For instance, thousands of punters bet online from Bangladesh almost regularly and take home tidy winnings.

Is live Cheltenham betting a possibility?

Absolutely. You can bet on all the 28 Cheltenham races live at the best in-play betting sites. Also known as ‘live betting’, in-play bets take the thrill up by several notches as you bet on the event as it is taking place.

How can I claim Cheltenham betting offers?

Well, that will depend on the offer. For instance, if you wish to claim a New Customer offer, you will probably have to sign up with the bookie. An Existing Customer offer, on the other hand, will require you to opt in for it. In either case, it helps to know the terms and conditions like the back of your hand. That way, you will know the offer and associated wagering requirements, if any.

What should I look for on the best Cheltenham betting sites?

Ensure the bookie you choose offers the following:

• Several Cheltenham betting markets
• Multiple betting payment methods
• A mobile-optimised site
• Free bets, welcome offers, and other promos
• Uninterrupted customer support
• Easy withdrawal options

Join bet365 to Watch Cheltenham Horse Racing Live!

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CricketBettingAdvice Final Say

The Cheltenham Festival is arguably the finest display of Jump racing in the world. A total of 28 races are spread across the four days, as spectators and punters are treated to pure, riveting equine action. Featuring some of the greatest jockeys and horses of the sport, the Cheltenham Festival is undoubtedly right up there with the Grand National, make no mistake.

What really seals the deal is that there is a saucerful of opportunities for both horse racing and betting enthusiasts. Think of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Hard to find a more glorious race than that one, right? Scheduled on the last day of the meet, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is what the crowds wait for in keen anticipation.

However, that is only one race from among the 28. Imagine the excitement that the whole festival packs. So, if you take your time to shop around for the best bookie, choose your Cheltenham races wisely, and find suitable betting markets, you can win big too.

That said, hope you enjoyed our article on everything that there is to Cheltenham Festival betting. Before you go out all guns blazing, give our post on money management tips a read. It packs all the information you need to manage your bankroll judiciously.

Bet responsibly. All luck!

Cricket Betting Advice

The Cricket Betting Advice team of writers are all defined by one goal: to provide you with the best online cricket betting content on the web.