Cheltenham Festival Guide
We’re now just a few days away from the 2021 Cheltenham festival and while there will be no spectators thronging the stands at the famous racecourse, all of the main UK bookies are gearing up for the event with some mouthwatering Cheltenham free bet bonuses and enhanced places on all the major races. You can claim some excellent free bets on the 2021 Cheltenham Festival simply by registering with any bookmaker featured on this page.
When is the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?
There can be little doubt that the Cheltenham Festival is one of the largest and most eagerly anticipated race meetings in the UK, the festival featuring some of the most prestigious races on the annual horse-racing calendar. Thousands of punters usually throng the grandstands at Prestbury Park, however that won’t be the case this year due to the continued Covid-19 restrictions. Nevertheless the meeting will still get underway as planned on Tuesday 16th March with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle kicking things off at 1:20pm. The action continues for four days until Friday 19th March.
Most of the leading UK bookies offer enhanced places on the major races on each day of the Cheltenham Festival and you can get more details of these by visiting any bookmaker featured on this page using the links provided and registering a new account.
Are tickets available for the 2021 Cheltenham Festival?
Due to the continued UK Covid-19 restrictions, no racing fans will be allowed to enter Prestbury Park for the duration of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival and as things stand, it is highly unlikely that this situation will change in the next few days. Nevertheless live coverage of the opening six races on each day will be provided by ITV and all the action can also be followed on RacingTV.
Regarding the Covid-19 restrictions, the authorities at Cheltenham Racecourse have made the current situation clearer by issuing a statement.
“Based on current Government restrictions, professional sport is able to continue under stringent health and safety protocols, without spectators present. In horseracing’s case this is vital to support the livelihoods of the many thousands of people who rely on the industry and for the welfare of the thousands of Thoroughbred racehorses who live and train in Britain.
“This means that under current restrictions, The Festival will take place as a televised event, but sadly without spectators at the course. We continue to monitor Government guidance and should this change in advance of The Festival we will act accordingly.”
Day 1: Tuesday 16th March
The Champion Hurdle is the feature race on Day One of the festival. This feature race is a Grade One National Hunt race, open to horses aged at least four years and run over a distance of 2m 87y on the Old Course.
Time | Race | Favourite |
13:20 | Appreciate It (7/4) | |
13:55 | Shishkin (Evens) | |
14:30 | Escaria Ten (10/1) | |
15:05 | Honeysuckle (3/1) | |
15:40 | Concertista (5/4) | |
16:15 | Quilixios (5/1) | |
16:50 | Royal Pagaille (2/1) |
Day 2: Wednesday 17th March
The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase is the feature race on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival. This is a Grade One chase which is run over a distance of approximately 2 miles. The total prize money for this race is £400,000.
Time | Race | Favourite |
13:20 | Gaillard Du Mesnil (11/4) | |
13:55 | Monkfish (8/11) | |
14:30 | Grand Roi (7/1) | |
15:05 | Chacun Pour Soi (5/6) | |
15:40 | Easysland (13/8) | |
16:15 | Sky Pirate (6/1) | |
16:50 | Kilcruit (15/8) |
Day 3: Thursday 18th March
Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival contains two feature races.
Ryanair Steeple Chase: This is a Grade One race which takes place over a distance of 2 miles and 5 furlongs, the prize fund totalling £350,000 which is shared between placed horses.
Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle: This is the second feature race on Day Three of the festival. It is a Grade One race which takes place over a distance of around 3 miles and has a prize fund of £325,000.
Time | Race | Favourite |
13:20 | Envoi Allen (5/6) | |
13:55 | Imperial Alcazar (13/2) | |
14:30 | Allaho (5/1) | |
15:05 | Paisley Park (10/3) | |
15:40 | Farclas (8/1) | |
16:15 | Hook Up (11/2) | |
16:50 | Run Wild Fred (7/1) |
Day 4: Friday 19th March
The final day of the Cheltenham Festival is arguably the most popular and prestigious. The feature race is the Cheltenham Gold Cup which takes place over a distance of 3 miles, 2 furlongs and 70 yards. This makes the race the longest of the entire festival and it also contains the highest prize money with a fund of £625,000, this being shared amongst the top horses.
Time | Race | Favourite |
13:20 | Tritonic (5/2) | |
13:55 | Multiple (10/1) | |
14:30 | Stattler (11/2) | |
15:05 | Al Boum Photo (11/4) | |
15:40 | Billaway (3/1) | |
16:15 | Elimay (15/8) | |
16:50 | Gentleman De Mee (13/2) |
Best Cheltenham Festival Free Bets
All of the leading UK bookmakers offer a wealth of great free bets, cheltenhamfreebets.co.uk is a site dedicated to Cheltenham betting offers which can all be used on the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. These vary considerably between bookies, however there is absolutely nothing to stop you from registering with all our featured bookmaker partners and claiming all of the free bets. What better way to get your Cheltenham festival off to a winning start?
William Hill
Bet £10 Get £30 Cheltenham Free Bets + £10 Casino Bonus
William Hill are without doubt one of the leading bookmakers in the UK, thanks in no small part to their excellent and in-depth coverage of all major sports. Their coverage of the Cheltenham Festival is second-to-none and the best news is that they are giving away free bets to the value of £40 to use on any races in the four-day meeting.
Basic Terms: New customers using promo code C40 only. 1x per customer. Min £10/€10 bet. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Free bets paid as 2x £15/€15 (expires after 30 days). Max £10 Bonus. 35x wagering requirement. Max redeemable amount £25. Casino bonus expires 72 hours from issue. Eligibility rules, free-bet rules, game, location, payment-method, currency restrictions, stake contributions and terms and conditions apply
BetVictor
Bet £5 Get £30 Cheltenham Free Bets
Known as the ‘Gentleman Bookmaker’, BetVictor have become a household name on these shores and they consistently offer the most generous odds available on a massive range of sports betting market. This really is a big hitter when it comes to horse racing and they have gone live with a great offer aimed at new customers. Simply join today using the link below, bet an initial £5 and you will receive free bets worth £30.
Basic Terms: 18+ New Customers only. Deposit, opt in and place a £5 qualifying bet at odds of 2.00 or greater within 7 days of opening a new account; excludes cashed out bets. Receive 2x £10 Free Sports Bets, valid on set events only at odds 2.00 or greater, expires in 7 days. Plus a £10 Game Show Bonus, selected games, wager 40x to withdraw a max of £250. PayPal and Card Payments only. Geographical Restrictions and T&Cs Apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Ladbrokes
Bet £5 Get £20 Cheltenham Free Bets
Of all the bookmakers operating online, none can be as highly regarded as Ladbrokes. This is perhaps the most famous bookmaker on the planet and their sports coverage eclipses even their largest rivals. Ladbrokes offer great odds on horse racing and all new customers joining today can claim free bets to the value of £20. Simply join now, bet an initial £5 and you will receive £20 to use on the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.
Basic Terms: 18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply,
Betfred
Bet £10 Get £30 Cheltenham Free Bets
We all love a bit of Betfred, this leading bookmaker consistently scoring extremely highly and winning numerous accolades over the years. Betfred are a market leader in many fields and their comprehensive sports offering has won them plenty of admirers, however the best news is that all new customers registering today can claim a bonus of £30 once they have deposited and placed an initial bet of just £10.
Basic Terms: New UK & NI customers only. promo code ‘SPORTS60’. Deposit & place first sports bet of £10+ in one bet transaction, at odds of Evens (2.0) +. settled within 60 days. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets credited within 48 hours of bet settlement, 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS validation may be required. Max 60 Free Spins on Justice League Comics. 7-day expiry. Full T&Cs apply.
Coral
Bet £5 Get £20 Cheltenham Free Bets
Coral must surely be one of the most instantly recognisable names on the UK betting circuit, this major bookmaker having been around for fast approaching 100 years. Founded in 1926, this betting operator has consistently offered hugely competitive odds on a massive selection of sports betting markets and their horse racing coverage is truly impressive. New customers joining today can claim £20 in free bets upon joining.
Basic Terms: 18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply.