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Cheltenham tips

Given the importance of the Festival and the major races taking place during it, Cheltenham tips today are all the rage. From Grade 1s to handicap company, the ante-post betting markets on this meeting let you wager throughout much of the season.

Detailed analysis is what some punters crave, but most simply want to find the winners. This is our in-depth guide to Cheltenham Festival tips where our experts drill down into the championship races and more besides.

Before we get into the granular details of individual selections, it’s worth assessing the different kind of picks expert tipsters make on the action. After the specifics, we also have some general Cheltenham betting tips that should help you make better decisions when you take a punt on the Festival.

Different Types of Cheltenham Tips Explained

The beauty of Cheltenham horse racing tips is you can take different angles with them. There is an imperative for some tipsters to seek value above all else. That means looking carefully on Cheltenham betting sites and asking whether favourites are too short.

We believe in calling a spade a spade here. Our experts provide tips for Cheltenham today not just based on value, but on likelihood of success. All betting odds reflect implied probability. There is probably good reason why a market leader has a prohibitive price.

Broadly speaking, our experts’ approach to providing Cheltenham races tips breaks down into three areas. There are NAPs, NBs and each-way selections. Each should appeal to different types of punters within the broad church of the gambling community.

NAPs

A NAP is a tipster’s top bet. In other words, these are the best Cheltenham tips with the greatest chance of success in the opinion of our experts. Value isn’t a consideration here, only a high probability of winning.

Chances are that following our NAPs from Cheltenham Racecourse don’t yield big returns on their own. You may wish to combine such selections in multiples like doubles, trebles and even accumulators.

NBs

In the biggest races of all over jumps, more than one horse can win them. Our Cheltenham Festival tips recognise that with NBs. An abbreviation of Next Best, the selected horse should push the NAP all the way.

Think of it like a star rating system. While NAPs are the five-star selection, NBs are right behind them on four stars. Although not the main fancy, such horses are a danger and it wouldn’t surprise you if they won instead.

Each-Way Tips

Perhaps more with the ultra-competitive handicaps in mind where there’s a history of big-priced winners, each-way tips have their place too. Such Cheltenham racing tips are about value alternatives to the market leaders and have the abbreviation EW.

These may be dark horses sneaking in under the radar, or ones with bits and pieces of form which, if conditions are just right, show they can have a say in the finish. Our each-way tips are ones with definitive prospects of a place and the odds on offer reflect that.

Cheltenham Festival Tips by Race

That’s enough preamble. We all know why you’re here. You want top tips for Cheltenham today and you want them right now. We take a day by day and race by race approach to everything happening at the Festival.

In other words, we precede in chronological order from the start of the meeting through to the end. Each of the four days at Cheltenham Racecourse has a feature race during the Festival each year.

We’ll come onto those soon enough. There are other early closing races to consider besides the main events, though. Many of these produce future stars who come back to the meeting and feature among Cheltenham race tips year after year. We start at the beginning…

Cheltenham Day 1 Tips – Champion Hurdle Day

Straight off the bat, there is some top-level action on the track. Opening Cheltenham Festival tips for day 1 is the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Arkle Chase for novices over fences. After the Fred Winter for four-year-olds and a staying Premier Handicap in the Ultima Handicap Chase, there’s more Grade 1 action.

Most Cheltenham tips for Tuesday surround the Champion Hurdle. This dates back to 1927 and sees the best two-mile hurdlers compete for glory. Rounding off the opening day is the Festival Plate over fences and the National Hunt Chase, now a novice handicap and open to professional jockeys.

Supreme Novices Hurdle Tips

Check back here later for Cheltenham Tuesday tips for the Festival opener nearer the time.

Arkle Chase Tips (Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase)

Majborough

Joe Marie Donnelly silksNicky Henderson (a record 8) and Willie Mullins (6 of the last 11) are the trainers whose horses seem to sparkle most in the Arkle with 14 wins between them in the first Grade 1 novice chase of the Festival.

Duking it out between those two powerful stables here this year are Cheltenham favourites Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba. Chances are they’ll scare plenty of competition away from this, but the Arkle could still be more than a two-horse race this year.

Supreme scorer Kopek Des Bordes jumped very nicely on his chasing debut around Navan, but has since had a small bone chip removed from his knee. For many, that swings things in favour of Triumph Hurdle runner-up Lulamba who landed the Henry VIII in some style at Sandown.

Henderson obviously regards him as the yard’s best prospect for the division, so plenty of day 1 Cheltenham tips say he’s the one. Lulamba could warm-up for the Arkle in open company in Newbury’s Game Spirit Chase or stick to the novice route with the Kingmaker around Warwick.

Trip a Question Mark for Romeo Coolio

Romeo Coolio, beaten in last season’s Supreme, looked as though further was the answer when he didn’t come off the bridle under Jack Kennedy when landing the Drinmore over two-and-a-half miles for Gordon Elliott at Fairyhouse.

Returning there at Easter for the County Meath track’s Gold Cup would suit him far better than this shorter distance. Romeo Coolio just mastered Irish Panther in the Racing Post Novice Chase around Leopardstown over Christmas, but he needed every yard of the trip.

If there’s one at an each-way price here, then it might be Mambonumberfive for Ben Pauling. He has the size and scope for the big Cheltenham fences with plenty of further progress in him, but you’d like to see him on a more galloping track.

Mullins may yet have a second string to Kopek Des Bordes in the mare Kargese, who landed the County Hurdle here last season. Sam Thomas inmate Steel Ally has also impressed with his jumping, while Arkle Trial heroine July Flower has won over course and distance.

Fred Winter Hurdle Tips (Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle)

We’ll have Cheltenham tips for day 1 here for the first of the Festival handicaps nearer the time.

Ultima Handicap Chase Tips

Check back for our experts’ shortlist for the first Premier Handicap chases of the Cheltenham Festival later on.

Champion Hurdle Tips

Joe Marie Donnelly silks Ricci silks If you could guarantee LOSSIEMOUTH (NAP) was going down the Champion Hurdle route, then this unbeaten mare around Prestbury Park wouldn’t have such large Cheltenham odds in the ante-post market. She won the Morgiana Hurdle at a canter, then held off Brighterdaysahead in the December Hurdle at home in Ireland during the first-half of the season.

The fear is Lossiemouth bids for a Mares’ Hurdle hat-trick instead. Despite Constitution Hill getting an entry, he’s not the force of old and Nicky Henderson has the unbeaten Sir Gino (NB) highly likely to stay over hurdles. He has deputised for the fallen Seven Barrows star more than once before, but hasn’t yet reached the Cheltenham Festival.

Any sort of each-way angle into this largely surrounds on taking risks. Constitution Hill has falls on three of his last four starts, Golden Ace was most fortunate to profit from two of those including in this race 12 months ago for Jeremy Scott. She also took full advantage of The New Lion taking a tumble in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle before going down to Sir Gino.

As crazy as it sounds, Mullins’ failed chasers El Fabiolo (if taking this en route to the Aintree Hurdle) and Ballyburn (has an alternate Stayers’ Hurdle entry) could provide the each-way value. The latter isn’t settling over longer distances, but may yet reinvent himself. Stable companion Anzadam hasn’t looked straightforward, meanwhile.

TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase Tips

Most Cheltenham tips on this Premier Handicap over two-and-a-half miles don’t come out until much nearer the time of the race.

National Hunt Chase Tips (Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase)

The dynamic of Cheltenham tips completely changes from previous editions here. This is because the National Hunt Chase is now a handicap rather than a Grade 2 novice chase. Check back later for this 0-145 race for long-distance and staying steeplechasers.

Cheltenham Day 2 Tips – Ladies Day (Style Wednesday)

Ladies Day also has plenty to offer on the Cheltenham betting tips front. Starting off with two Grade 1s in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle and Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, we also witness some unique races on the card.

They include the Cross Country Chase, now reverting to a limited handicap, and Weatherbys Champion Bumper. In amongst these events, many day 2 Cheltenham tips concentrate on the feature Queen Mother Champion Chase over two miles.

Fans of handicaps also have the always difficult to fathom Coral Cup over hurdles and historic Grand Annual Chase over fences on this day too. Read on for the latest Cheltenham races tips from what we now call Style Wednesday.

Turners Novices Hurdle Tips (Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle)

We provide Cheltenham Wednesday tips for the Ladies Opener nearer the time after the release of entries and the field size narrows down.

Brown Advisory Novices Chase Tips (Broadway Novices’ Chase)

Bryan Drew silks Prof Caroline Tisdall silks Despite defeat in the Turners on this card 12 months ago, FINAL DEMAND could take even higher rank over fences. Workmanlike when landing the Grade 1 Faugheen at Limerick, an even longer trip might see Willie Mullins’ highly-regarded novice chaser to better effect.

This is also a step into the unknown stamina wise for Romeo Coolio, but Gordon Elliott stable companion Western Fold (EW) ran really well in open company against course specialist Envoi Allen and subsequent Savills Chase hero Affordale Fury in the Down Royal Champion Chase.

He only broke his maiden tag over fences in May; so, despite landing the Galway Plate and Gowran Park Champion Chase, Western Fold remains a novice. He’s up against some Cheltenham horses who have been to the Festival before here, however.

They include Albert Bartlett runner-up The Big Westerner (NB) for Henry De Bromhead. She may also have the option of the shorter distance Mares’ Chase, but this longer trip is within her compass. Down the field behind her on Gold Cup day last season was Wendigo.

Jamie Snowden believes he might be the biggest threat to one of the leading Cheltenham tips for day 2 of the Festival, though. Wendigo didn’t really act around Kempton when no match for Kitzbuhel, a second string Mullins mount in this division.

De Bromhead has another string to the bow here, however, in Koktail Divin, but he finished behind subsequent JP McManus purchase Oscars Brother in the Florida Pearl at Punchestown.

Coral Cup Tips (Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle)

All those giving Cheltenham tips don’t do so on an ultra-competitive Premier Handicap like this until we have a clearer idea of the runners.

Cross Country Chase Cheltenham Tips

Stumptown silks Now this is a (limited) handicap again, it may no longer be the Gordon Elliott benefit of previous years. STUMPTOWN (NAP) is one of two contenders for the Gavin Cromwell stable that catches the eye. He love it here, won this 12 months ago and went to Central Europe to land a valuable Cross Country race this autumn.

If not topweight Stumptown, then fellow Cromwell runner Final Orders (NB) might still be well-treated off the back of landing the Crystal Cup over course and distance in December. He has to be one of the Cheltenham tips for Wednesday where Cross Country experience counts for so much.

Risk Of Thunder hero Desertmore House also commands respect for Martin Brassil. He chased home Busselton in Punchestown’s La Touche Cup over the banks in the spring. Joseph O’Brien is probably training the latter for a defence of that crown later in the spring, because he didn’t look at home around Cheltenham before Christmas.

The Goffer might be the best of the Elliott contingent, but he does have the option of hunter chasing like a number of these. Vanillier (EW) was unlucky in this race 12 months ago when he almost took the wrong course. Aged 11 now, his best days may be behind him. For those who prefer younger legs, Emmet Mullins mount J’Arrive De L’Est can only improve for his first try. There may be some French entries too.

Queen Mother Champion Chase Tips

Jonbon among Cheltenham tips

Barry Connell silks The Clarence House Chase will tell us even more, but chances are Il Etait Temps will confirm his two Sandown successes over Jonbon and cement himself as the number one for Willie Mullins in the division. Based on Cheltenham results from recent years, however, it’s impossible to ignore the claims of MARINE NATIONALE (NAP) who loves it here and won this 12 months ago.

Barry Connell’s stable star is perhaps one of the more obvious Wednesday Cheltenham tips on offer, but he’s landed the Supreme and Champion Chase from as many visits to Prestbury Park. Anything Marine Nationale does at Leopardstown is a bonus in the meantime.

Solness enhanced his own record at the South Dublin track over Christmas, but that is where he can make hay for Joseph O’Brien. Heading into Ascot, the each-way alternative to the market principals looks very much like Dan Skelton’s marked improver Thistle Ask. He gets into a good rhythm jumping out in front, but whether he can continue his incredible progress much further is the big question.

Skelton also has L’Eau Du Sud, but he’s been found wanting at the highest level. Harry Fry has the talented by fragile Gidleigh Park, meanwhile. Majborough, much like owner companion Jonbon, has seen his jumping let him down more than once. With Sir Gino set to stay over hurdles, other British hopes look thin on the ground. Quilixos could do with a change of luck when he comes to Cheltenham.

Grand Annual Chase Tips (Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase)

There are Cheltenham tips to follow on this historic race nearer the time.

Weatherbys Champion Bumper Tips

We’ll have Cheltenham Festival horse racing tips on the only event during the meeting where they don’t jump anything later on.

Cheltenham Day 3 Tips – St Patrick’s Thursday

The penultimate day of the Festival means terrific Thursday Cheltenham tips below. For 2025, the card has a new running order. St Patrick’s Thursday begins with the Dawn Run, a Grade 2 novice hurdle for mares only and the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase follows.

A previously somewhat handicap heavy card has been reduced from four of the seven races being of this type down to three. There are also as many Grade 1s here with the Mares’ Hurdle moving from Champion Hurdle day.

After that, look out for Cheltenham tips on day 3 for the Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase. The Pertemps Final is the series finale and culmination of a number of staying handicap hurdles held throughout the British Isles.

Completing St Patrick’s Thursday at the Festival is the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup for amateur jockeys over fences, and the Gold Cup course and distance.

Ryanair Mares Novices Hurdle Tips (Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle)

Plenty of Cheltenham Thursday tips focus on the opener, which can be tricky to figure out. We’ll have our experts on the case closer to the Festival as entries don’t close for this until later on.

Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase Tips

A brand new Festival race for novices over an intermediate trip, won last year by expensive Irish import Caldwell Potter. We will of course provide Cheltenham tips for this Grade 2 limited handicap nearer the time.

Close Brothers Mares Hurdle Tips (David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle)

Wodhooh silks Ricci silks The issue with so many here is decisions about which race on the Cheltenham schedule will they end up in. Dual winner LOSSIEMOUTH (NAP) could again defect from the Champion Hurdle picture as she’s the best of these and the two-and-a-half miles is her optimum trip.

Gordon Elliott may take her on again with Wodhooh, but there seems no obvious reason why the pair shouldn’t finish in the same order as they did in the Aintree Hurdle last spring. Cullentra House also have Brighterdaysahead in this race, but she might bid for Champion Hurdle redemption after finishing lame with the race at her mercy 12 months ago.

The exact same dilemma lies with Golden Ace. She looked no match for Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle, so it might be time for the Jeremy Scott mare to go back up in trip. If Willie Mullins is brave enough to go for the Champion Hurdle with Lossiemouth, then there are plenty who could deputise.

Last season’s runner-up Jade De Grugy looks chief among them, because novice chasing isn’t really working out for her. Mullins and owner Kenny Alexander may instead keep County Hurdle heroine Kargese over fences and go for the Arkle, rather than this. Murcia could come here for the same connections. Dan Skelton has six entries with last year’s third Take No Chances the pick of that sextet.

Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle Tips

JP McManus silks An on-song Teahupoo (NB), who goes well fresh, should go very close again. The problem with backing him is he’s only 1-3 from the last three editions. Fellow Robcour horse Bob Olinger mugged him last season and other contenders have since emerged in the division.

Gordon Elliott has other entries, notably young pretender Honesty Policy. He finished behind IMPOSE TOI (NAP) in the same ownership of McManus during Ascot’s Long Walk Hurdle. There is no doubt that Nicky Henderson has a much-improved model here, having progressed out of handicaps.

Impose Toi has qualified for the Pertemps Final en route to higher things. He’s unlikely to be sacrificed as topweight in that Premier Handicap, however, given his subsequent exploits. McManus certainly has a strong hand in the Stayers.

One improving rival day 3 Cheltenham tips can’t ignore is Kabral Du Mathan (EW), who took the Relkeel for Skelton at Cheltenham races on New Year’s Day. He might have other targets like the Aintree Hurdle in the spring.

De Bromhead could also run Hiddenvalley Lake for Robcour as well, but has kept him and Bob Olinger apart whenever possible. Cromwell’s 2022 and 2023 winner Flooring Porter gets an honourable mention.

Ryanair Chase Tips

JP McManus silks Plenty could change with the make up of this race. Plenty also have an entry in the Gold Cup, but last year’s winner FACT TO FILE (NAP) has this as his sole Festival entry. He wasn’t seen to best effect in the King George, but is clearly better than that. Many Cheltenham tips for Thursday say Fact To File retains his crown.

Old rival Gaelic Warrior would have a big shout if running here, based on their John Durkan dust-up earlier in the campaign. Last season’s runner-up Heart Wood could go down this route again, but does have plenty to find with Fact To File on that run.

So many double entries on the Cheltenham race cards will also shape the market, but good going could see Banbridge finally have his Festival moment. He didn’t stay the Gold Cup distance, but will have no problem with this trip on a sound surface.

Stepping Jonbon up in distance would add a serious second string to the McManus bow, but Henderson has only ever done that at Aintree. The most intriguing entry is Gordon Elliott novice Romeo Coolio (EW), for whom this trip looks optimum. He might struggle in the Arkle, but his effortless Drinmore success suggests this might be the race for him, apart from the Fairyhouse Gold Cup.

Pertemps Final Tips (Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle)

Until the series of Qualifiers is complete, our experts can’t give Cheltenham tips for the Pertemps Final this year. This continues into February with confirmations of those eligible horses following later in the month and then the publication of the weights before March.

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Tips

We will have Cheltenham tips for St Patrick’s Thursday for the big amateurs only race after entries come out and field narrows.

Cheltenham Day 4 Tips – Gold Cup Day

Last but not least, we arrive at the final day of the Festival. Three more Grade 1 races represent the best of Friday Cheltenham tips from the concluding card of this major meeting. Gold Cup day begins with the Triumph Hurdle, the top race for four-year-olds over obstacles.

Premier Handicap fans and our experts alike then have the puzzle of the County Hurdle to try and solve. The Mares’ Chase moves up the order of running now and take place before the Albert Bartlett, registered as the Spa Novices’ Hurdle.

Cheltenham Gold Cup tips are what day 4 is all about for most punters, though. The blue riband of steeplechases is an obvious Festival highlight. The Hunter Chase for amateur jockeys and Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle bring proceedings to a close.

JCB Triumph Hurdle Tips

JP McManus silks

After five wins in the last six editions, the record of Willie Mullins with juvenile hurdlers speaks for itself. He combines with McManus for two very smart prospects in French imports NARCISO HAS (NAP) and Proactif. While the pair may be kept apart come the Festival, so much depends on a potential clash between the pair in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.

Ahead of that at the Dublin Racing Festival, preference is for Narciso Has who has achieved more at the time of writing. It’d be remiss of Cheltenham Friday tips for the opener to ignore Gordon Elliott filly Mange Tout (NB). She receives 7lb from the boys and beat Narciso Has in a Fairyhouse Grade 3 before Christmas.

For the home team, leading hopes lie with Dan Skelton’s Maestro Conti and Paul Nicholls Irish import Minella Yoga. Both must step up on their bare form, but retain plenty of potential. There’s even a third possible string to the McManus bow here in Nicky Henderson runner Manlaga, if connections can get the filly out for her British bow before long.

County Hurdle Tips (County Handicap Hurdle)

As competitive as it gets at the Festival. Check back later to see who features among Cheltenham tips for the Gold Cup card in this big Premier Handicap.

Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase Tips (Liberthine Mares’ Chase)

Spindleberry silks JP McManus may see his stranglehold on this race threatened with last year’s winner Dinoblue now facing some smart mares with younger legs. The diminutive but talented SPINDLEBERRY (NAP) won the Fairyhouse Gold Cup as a novice and rates a massive threat to the reigning champion here.

Both are leading lights for the Willie Mullins yard here, but there is increasing strength among the opposition if other stables opt for running their mares here. Gavin Cromwell’s Arkle runner-up Only By Night (NB) should improve for going up in trip here.

Henry De Bromhead could unleash one or other of July Festival and The Big Westerner up and down in distance respectively. Dan Skelton has Paddy Power Gold Cup heroine Panic Attack as one to note from day 4 Cheltenham tips here too.

Albert Bartlett Cheltenham Tips (Spa / Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle)

 

Always a somewhat murky picture, because many of the horses have an alternative entry in the Turners (Baring Bingham) on Ladies Day. The Albert Bartlett picture only becomes clearer nearer to the Festival.

Those looking for Cheltenham tips on day 4 in this staying novice hurdle will have to wait a little longer. Henry De Bromhead always has something targeting the race, though.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips

Galopin Des Champs among Cheltenham tips

Galopin Des Champs silks A glance at some very open Cheltenham Gold Cup betting suggests that Galopin Des Champs could regain his crown in the blue riband of steeplechasing. He will have his entire campaign geared around Festival glory, but there are other Mullins mounts in contention. Gaelic Warrior is chief among those, based on his Aintree Bowl win last spring.

He finished two noses behind The Jukebox Man in the King George VI Chase. Ben Pauling and Harry Redknapp’s horse goes here as a still unexposed horse with just four starts over fences under his belt. Like Banbridge, who split the pair, all of those in the King George frame have the Ryanair Chase as an alternative option.

Jango Baie made late headway there into a close fourth, however, and could be the one to take out of the Kempton festive showpiece for this. He just managed to get up in the Arkle over a trip way short of his best 12 months ago, so Nicky Henderson has real hopes of a big run from him.

Elsewhere, JP McManus could run both defending champ Inothewayurthinkin (two out of two over course and distance) and Savills Chase runner-up I Am Maximus here. His pair and Galopin Des Champs were no match for Affordale Fury at Leopardstown over Christmas, however, so Noel Meade has a live contender.

Other British contenders among Cheltenham Gold Cup tips include Betfair Chase scorer Grey Dawning for Dan Skelton, but also Welsh Grand National hero Haiti Couleurs (EW) from the Rebecca Curtis stable.

Festival Hunter Chase Tips (St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase)

The hunter chase scene in Ireland often provides the answer over their English counterparts here. As this is one of the last Cheltenham Festival races to reveal its entries, providing early selections is tricky.

That’s because there are also other targets for horses in the division. A similar race over a shorter distance and the Grand National fences takes place at Aintree in April. There are also hunter chases from Fairyhouse over Easter and the Punchestown Festival come the end of the jumps season.

When we know more about who’s running here, you’ll find Cheltenham tips on Friday for this amateur riders only event.

Marin Pipe Cheltenham Tips (Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle)

And so to the final race of the Festival. Handicap entries (and crucially the weights) don’t come out until February. Check back then for our tips.

General Cheltenham Betting Tips

Now that the specifics of individual Cheltenham Festival out of the way, we felt some general advice wouldn’t go amiss. Lying behind any of our Cheltenham tips for today are broader strategies and thought.

There are smart ways to go about betting on the Festival overall. We thus discuss how to go about it in a logical, methodical way. This advice isn’t prescriptive or fool-proof and can’t guarantee winners, but it should at least help you reach better decisions when wagering.

Always Bet Each-Way with Extra Places When You Can

Forgive us for stating the obvious but, with the exception of Royal Ascot on the Flat and a handful of other individual events, horse racing in the UK doesn’t get any more competitive than events at Cheltenham. That means any number of runners can win races.

We cannot praise the virtues of each-way betting at the Festival enough. Bookmakers offer plenty of Extra Place Races, especially for the handicaps. When there are 20 or more runners, you need fifth or even sixth place paying out.

It’s essential to mitigate the potential loss. This is precisely why we provide Cheltenham racing tips that include an each-way selection. While these won’t necessarily win, having as many places on your side can only be to your advantage.

Take Bookies Up on Non-Runner No Bet Concessions

There’s a growing trade-off in the ante-post betting market on the Cheltenham Festival. Do you take a price without a guaranteed run for your money or accept shorter odds under non-runner no bet terms? The latter for us is a no-brainer.

NRNB is one of the best Cheltenham betting offers ever invented, because it means you don’t lose out if the horse you back ends up a non-runner. The compromise of taking a lesser price won’t please some punters, but better that than losing your stake in full.

Few Cheltenham tips today make more sense than acquiring the protection non-runner no bet affords you. It’s insurance against a setback, injury in final prep run or piece of work, or heaven forbid a virus sweeping the stable at the last minute.

Study Individual Race Trends

Most top jumps trainers target their best National Hunt horses at Cheltenham. Why wouldn’t they? It offers the best prize money, outside of the Grand National, in this code. Over the years, certain trends and stats build up about the Festival.

While these past indicators come with no certainty of repeating themselves in the future, it’s always worth bearing in mind. By looking an individual race trends, you as a punter or our expert tipsters can create a profile of potential winners.

Statistics can’t all be right, but they might help you narrow down the field in some of those highly competitive betting heats. Trends form a key part of how our experts form their Cheltenham horse racing tips today.

Follow Cheltenham Trial Races

There are both unofficial and proper trials for Cheltenham. Prestbury Park itself hosts Festival Trials Day in January for the very purpose of giving horses a prep race before the big meeting. For example, the International Hurdle is a Champion Hurdle trial and the Cotswold Chase one for the Gold Cup.

Other races make it even more obvious in their titles. There are Triumph Hurdle Trials in November, December and January at the track. This doesn’t just extended to other UK racecourses, but the Emerald Isle as well.

Irish trainers have their own domestic trials that they can aim horses at with hopes of coming over for Cheltenham including those during the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown. Our Cheltenham tips will inevitably be drawn from the results of these trials.

React to Forecast Ground Conditions

Rain on any day of the Cheltenham Festival can change the going, no matter how good the drainage is. Heavy ground, coupled with the competitive nature of things, turns events into really punishing tests of equine stamina.

It’s easier said than done for those giving Cheltenham races tips in advance with an unsettled forecast, so you have to react to the weather accordingly. If the ground is drying out, then there’s a chance of conditions improving to a sounder surface underfoot.

British weather is nothing if not unpredictable. On good going, different horses may be brought into calculation for Festival races. This relative approach requires form study and knowledge of what ground is optimum for the runners.

What You Should Avoid with Cheltenham Tips Today

There are also some pitfalls worth pointing out to you. Avoiding them will hopefully enhance your chances of successful betting on Cheltenham. Learning from mistakes made by others can save you from disappointment.

Just as we provide horse racing tips for Cheltenham on how to go about it above, this is all about what not to do. Follow this advice in tandem with the general guidance and you’ll walk the line just fine.

You Don’t Have to Bet in Every Race

This might seem odd reading towards the end of a page dedicated to Cheltenham tips, but you are under no obligation whatsoever to take a punt. We have our selections, but that doesn’t mean you should follow us blind and bet in every race.

Be selective and back the horses that appeal to you. We presume you have minds of your own, and your opinion or instincts are naturally important. Here at Cheltenham Betting Sites, we aren’t trying to talk you into betting in all seven races every day of the Festival.

Our experts’ job is simply to provide selections for the big meeting. It doesn’t automatically follow that you do likewise. If the Premier Handicaps look too difficult or you don’t feel there’s any value in a Grade 1 race with an odds-on favourite, then leave it alone.

Never Back Favourites Blind

Market leaders only win horse races around a third of the time on average. That means favourites lose more races than they win. Each event is worth assessing on its own merits of course, but chances are you don’t have time to do that.

You should only take a punt on favourites that appeal to you. We are again skirting around the issue of value. This is ultimately a relative concept based on individual opinion. It’s widely perceived, however, that most odds-on favourite don’t represent it.

This is because, although they may feature among Cheltenham tips today, you don’t even double your money. Tipsters are concerned with finding winners primarily and value prices second.

Don’t Forget About Terms & Conditions

There are plenty of Cheltenham free bets out there for new and existing customers to enjoy for the Festival. Alongside the deals is the small print. Terms & Conditions apply is one of those pervasive things tacked on to the end of promotions.

These specify what you must do so that the bonus from betting offers come to you. If you forget about the minimum odds threshold or bet in a race below the minimum number of runners, then you can end up missing out.

Avoid ignoring the T&Cs, because it’s the only way you can avoid doubts about precisely what’s needed to get a deal. It might be one of the duller aspects of betting, but it’s important you don’t overlook this.

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Jamie Clark

Jamie Clark has been covering the Cheltenham Festival for over a decade, firstly during his time as the Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers. His father and godfather ran a trackside bookie's pitch at Market Rasen for many years, so horse racing is in his blood. Very much a specialist in the sport, Jamie is our go-to expert on all things Cheltenham.

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