Betting on Cheltenham is already in full swing as we get closer to the first race of this year’s festival. Interest in the races has exploded in recent years as new bettors become more and more familiar with how horse racing works.
Indeed, there’s really no event quite like Cheltenham for chasing those big bets and cashing out on high-paying accas at just the right time.
Paddy’s ultimate Cheltenham Festival betting guide will take you through everything you need to know. From the races to look for each day, to smart racing tips, our aim is to maximise your knowledge ahead of the festival.
So, let’s get started!
When is Cheltenham 2024?
Cheltenham 2024 takes place between 12 and 15 March. It all begins with Champion Day on the Tuesday, and runs until Gold Cup Day at the end of the working week.
See our Cheltenham 2024 dates guide for a full breakdown of what to expect at this year’s festival!
What are the days at Cheltenham?
Each day at Cheltenham has its own name and correlates to the biggest races taking part that day. Below are the dates and races to bookmark for when you’re placing your bets!
Day 1 – Champion Day | 12 March
Champion Day is the one horse racing betting fans love the most because it’s here that we see present and future champions clash on the course. It all begins with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Arkle, which sets us up for betting on the Champion Hurdle.
- Biggest Race: Champion Hurdle (15:30)
Day 2 – Ladies Day | 13 March
Also known as Style Wednesday, Ladies Day is the most glamorous day of the festival. The racing almost takes a back seat, although don’t tell the jockeys and trainers that! The Queen Mother Champion Chase headlines Ladies Day and is a steady two-mile run over fences that is often used as a springboard to the Gold Cup the next year.
- Biggest Race: Queen Mother Champion Chase (15:30)
Day 3 – St Patrick’s Day | 14 March
Thursday at Cheltenham is always a raucous affair. The St Patrick’s Day celebrations start early and the Irish tend to dominate races. The Festival Trophy is always a race to keep an eye on, but the big draw is the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. The favourite has won this event just twice since 2004.
- Biggest Race: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (15:30)
Day 4 – Gold Cup Day | 15 March
All the attention on Friday at Cheltenham focuses on the Gold Cup. However, bettors should keep an eye on the Triumph Hurdle for a display of elite-level jumps racing. The Grad 2 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase is not to be missed either! Of course, all eyes are on the Gold Cup and the ante-post markets are already open on who will win this year.
- Biggest Race: Gold Cup (15:30)
Cheltenham TV details
ITV and Racing TV will share the broadcast rights for Cheltenham Festival in 2024. ITV have been the terrestrial broadcaster for Cheltenham since 2016 and recently signed a new rights deal that extends their partnership until 2026. The first five races of each day will be shown on ITV, with the final two available on Racing TV.
Cheltenham live stream races
You can live stream Cheltenham at Paddy Power, Racing TV and the ITVX app. Paddy’s Cheltenham streams are open to all active account holders who have placed a bet on the race in question. Streams begin around two minutes before the race start time.
What to spot when betting on Cheltenham
If you’re betting on Cheltenham for the first time then it’s worth doing some extra research so you can make smarter choices. There’s nothing more frustrating than rushing a bet only for it to lose. Here are three things to look out for before you bet on Cheltenham this spring:
Extra places – Look for Paddy’s extra places that cover more finishing positions when you’re betting each way. We provide extra places on at least one race a day. This is the perfect add-on if you’re confident your EW bet will come good.
Power Prices – Paddy also offers Power Prices on selected horses during each day of Cheltenham. These are odds boosts that can help you turn a bigger profit, so long as the horse wins of course!
Top trainers – Horse racing’s big trainers dominate Cheltenham. If you’re stuck on who to back then look for names like Willie Mullins, Henry de Bromhead, Paul Nichols and Nicky Henderson.
The going – Check out the going and look at the Paddy Power racecard to see which horses struggle and which thrive on the current track conditions. If the ground is soft and a horse perpetually fails to win when it’s raining then they’re not worth backing.
Quick Cheltenham Tips
If you’re new to Cheltenham Festival and aren’t sure where to begin then these horse racing betting tips are a good starting point:
Create multiples – If you’ve already picked your winners ahead of each day at Cheltenham then you may consider creating multiple bets. This is where you lump all your bets into one mega wager. If all selections win, you win at a much higher profit level than if you bet on each race individually. The rationale is that you were going to bet on the horses anyway, so a multiple of horse racing acca makes sense!
Don’t rush – Never rush into a bet. There are 28 races over Cheltenham Festival so you have plenty of time to bet on the horses. Take your time, study the form and stats, and read our horse racing tips ahead of each run. Only when you’re happy with your choice and your stake should you proceed to placing the bet.
Track the odds – We always recommend keeping an eye on the race odds in the minutes leading up to the start. Horses can drift and come in, depending on the volume of bets being placed on them. If a horse’s odds drift then perhaps there’s a problem with it. Likewise, if a horse’s odds suddenly narrow then maybe punters know something you don’t. Keep an eye on the moving odds and time your bets to perfection in order to nail the best price.
- When is the Cheltenham Festival 2024? Dates and antepost favourites for next year’s big races
- Horse Racing calendar: Key Jumps races and fixtures including Cheltenham Festival 2024