Cheltenham festival betting odds

Last Updated on November 8, 2025 by author

The Cheltenham Festival is the undisputed pinnacle of National Hunt racing, a four-day spectacle that captures the attention of the sporting world every March. With an estimated £1 billion wagered across the 28 races, understanding the intricacies of Cheltenham betting odds is essential for anyone looking to participate in this thrilling event. This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to navigate the 2025 Cheltenham Festival betting markets, from the fundamentals of reading odds to advanced strategies for each championship race.

Cheltenham Festival

First held in 1860, the Cheltenham Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious racing festivals in the world. It takes place annually at the Cheltenham Racecourse in Prestbury Park, Gloucestershire, and is the most valuable meeting in jumps racing, offering a combined total of over £4,590,000 in prize money.

The 2025 Festival kicks off on Tuesday, March 11th, and runs through Friday, March 14th. Each day features seven races, starting at 1:20 PM and concluding with the final race at 5:20 PM. The event draws over 250,000 spectators annually and is a pilgrimage for racing enthusiasts from across the globe.

The Festival is renowned for its electric atmosphere, particularly the famed “Cheltenham Roar” that erupts as the starter’s tape goes up for the first race on Tuesday, signaling the beginning of four days of unparalleled sporting drama.

Cheltenham Festival 2025: The Four Days of Racing

Each day of the Festival has its own unique character and headline races. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect on each day, including the feature races and key betting contenders for 2025.

Day 1: Champion Day (Tuesday, March 11th)

Champion Day sets the stage for the week, featuring four Grade 1 races that showcase both established champions and future stars. The day begins with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, a race that has been renamed for 2025 in honour of the young jockey Michael O’Sullivan, who tragically died after a fall at Thurles.

• Feature Race: Champion Hurdle (4:00 PM)  – The premier two-mile hurdle race in the National Hunt calendar.
• Key Contender: All eyes are on the return of Constitution Hill. The unbeaten hurdler, widely considered one of the sport’s greats, is back after missing last year’s Festival due to illness and is aiming to reclaim his Champion Hurdle crown as the odds-on favourite. He will face stiff competition from Irish raiders like Lossiemouth and Gordon Elliott’s mare, Brighterdaysahead.
• Other Grade 1 Races:
  • Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1:20 PM): The Festival curtain-raiser. Willie Mullins’ Kopek Des Bordes is an early short-priced favourite after a breathtaking victory at the Dublin Racing Festival.
  • Arkle Novices’ Chase (2:00 PM): A top-class chase for novices. With the unbeaten Sir Gino ruled out for the season, Majborough leapt to the top of the market.
  • Mares’ Hurdle (3:20 PM): The betting picture is currently murky, as the top two in the market are also prominent in the Champion Hurdle conversation.

Day 2: Style Wednesday / Ladies Day (Wednesday, March 12th)

The second day combines high fashion with high-stakes racing, headlined by the fastest and most exciting steeplechase of the week. Similar to Tuesday, it features four Grade 1 contests.

• Feature Race: Queen Mother Champion Chase (4:00 PM)  – A two-mile steeplechase that demands speed, precision, and courage.
• Key Contender: Nicky Henderson’s star chaser Jonbon is looking to emulate legendary stablemates Altior and Sprinter Sacre by winning this prestigious two-mile prize.
• Other Key Races:
  • Turners Novices’ Hurdle (1:20 PM): Willie Mullins’ Final Demand is a warm favourite after an impressive trial win, but faces a challenge from Dan Skelton’s unbeaten British hope, The New Lion.
  • Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (2:00 PM): Willie Mullins holds a strong hand with Ballyburn—a Festival winner from the previous year—and the unbeaten Dancing City heading the market.
  • Cross Country Steeple Chase (3:20 PM): A unique and gruelling test over varied terrain. The 2025 renewal adds fresh intrigue as it has been turned into a handicap.

Day 3: St. Patrick’s Thursday (Thursday, March 13th)

This is the day when Irish celebrations are in full swing, and the Irish runners often dominate the action. The penultimate day shares the headline billing between two major Grade 1 events.

• Feature Races: Ryanair Chase (3:20 PM) & Stayers’ Hurdle (4:00 PM).
• Key Contenders:
  • Ryanair Chase: Defending champion Protektorat leads the home team in what looks set to be a wildly competitive affair.
  • Stayers’ Hurdle: Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo won this race 12 months ago but must prove he remains the king of the three-mile hurdling division after a defeat this season. Ruby Walsh has tipped Teahupoo at 11/10.
• Other Notable Race: The day opens with the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, where trainer Gavin Cromwell rates Sixandahalf as one of his leading chances of the week.

Day 4: Gold Cup Day (Friday, March 14th)

The Festival reaches its spectacular climax on Gold Cup Day, featuring the most prestigious prize in National Hunt racing. The sporting world tunes in to witness a shot at history.

• Feature Race: Cheltenham Gold Cup (4:00 PM)  – The ultimate test of a chaser’s speed, stamina, and heart.
• Key Contender: The Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs is aiming to join an elite group of three-time winners, having claimed the past two editions. Having looked imperious in two Grade 1 victories at Leopardstown this season, he is the strong favourite at odds of 4/9. He will face challenges from the likes of Banbridge (4/1) and Fact To File (5/1).
• Other Key Races:
  • Triumph Hurdle (1:20 PM): A key juvenile hurdle that has produced some superb horses in recent years. The much-hyped Lulamba is vying for favouritism with the experienced East India Dock.
  • Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3:20 PM): A gruelling test for novice hurdlers that has thrown up some huge-priced winners in recent seasons.

*Table: 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup Ante-Post Odds (Subject to Change)*

Betting Odds and Bet Types

Before diving into the specific races, it’s crucial to understand the mechanics of betting.

How to Read Cheltenham Odds

In the UK and Ireland, horse racing odds are primarily displayed in fractional formats (e.g., 5/1). This shows the profit you stand to make per unit staked. A £10 bet at 5/1 would return £50 profit plus your £10 stake, for a total of £60.

Types of Bets

1. Win Bet: The simplest bet. You are backing a horse to finish first. If it wins, you get a payout; any other result means you lose your stake.
2. Place Bet: You are betting on a horse to finish in one of the placed positions, usually the top two, three, or four, depending on the race and the bookmaker. You can often find bookmakers offering extra places on large-field handicaps, which can be valuable.
3. Each-Way Bet: This is effectively two bets in one: a win bet and a place bet. Your stake is doubled.
   • If your horse wins, you collect on both the win and the place parts of the bet.
   • If your horse only places, you lose the win part of the bet but get a return on the place part, typically paid out at a fraction of the win odds (e.g., 1/4 or 1/5).
   • Each-way bets are exceptionally popular at Cheltenham, particularly in the competitive handicap races with large fields like the Coral Cup.

Futures Betting: Ante-Post Markets

Ante-post betting allows you to wager on races weeks or even months in advance. This can often secure you better value odds than you might find on race day, especially if you’re confident about a horse’s target race. However, it comes with a significant risk: if your horse doesn’t run, you typically lose your stake unless you bet with a bookmaker offering Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB). Many major bookmakers, like the Betfair Sportsbook, offer NRNB on all 28 races as the Festival approaches, protecting your ante-post wagers.

Advanced Betting Strategies for Cheltenham 2025

To go from a casual punter to a more strategic bettor, consider these expert tips.

Study Form and Conditions

Check recent form, trainer and jockey statistics, and, crucially, how horses perform on the current ground conditions (e.g., soft or good to soft). Horses that have previously run well at Cheltenham’s unique track are always worth noting. The going for the 2025 Festival is forecast to be largely dry, which could favour certain running styles.

Shop for the Best Odds

Cheltenham odds can vary drastically between different bookmakers. Use odds comparison tools to find the best prices for your selections. A slight difference in odds can significantly boost your returns over the course of the Festival.

Leverage Promotions and Offers

Bookmakers roll out their best promotions during Cheltenham. Look for enhanced odds, money-back specials (e.g., if your horse finishes 2nd to the favourite), or extra place terms on each-way bets. These offers can provide a crucial safety net or boost your profits.

Follow the Top Trainers and Jockeys

Certain yards and riders dominate the Festival. Trainers like Willie Mullins (who is seeking a remarkable seventh leading trainer title in succession), Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead, and British handlers Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson often account for a large percentage of the winners. Following their stable news is essential.

Consider Multiples and Bankers

With 28 races, many punters enjoy creating multiple bets (accumulators). If you have a strong opinion on a short-priced favourite like Galopin Des Champs or Constitution Hill, you can use them as a “banker” in an accumulator, combining them with other selections to create a higher-odds bet.

How to Watch the 2025 Cheltenham Festival

You can follow all the action from Prestbury Park through the following channels:

• ITV1/ITVX: Will broadcast the first six races on each day for free. Coverage begins at 12:45 PM. A preview show, ‘The Opening Show’, is also broadcast on ITV4 from 9 AM.
• Racing TV: The only place to watch all 28 races in their entirety. This is a subscription-based channel available through Sky, Virgin Media, and online.
• Bookmaker Streams: If you have a funded account with a bookmaker like Paddy Power, you can usually live stream all the races for free on their website or app.

Final Thoughts

The Cheltenham Festival 2025 promises to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory, with historic triple Gold Cup bids and champion returns setting the stage for an unforgettable week. By understanding the schedule, the key contenders, and the betting strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to engage with the Festival not just as a spectator, but as an informed punter.

Remember to bet responsibly, immerse yourself in the drama, and enjoy the greatest show on turf.

Disclaimer: Odds are subject to change and were accurate as of the time of writing. Please check with your bookmaker for the latest prices. Gambling involves risk. Please gamble responsibly and only with what you can afford to lose.