Cheltenham Festival Tips: Our Favourites and Advice on How to Make the Most of the Festival

Cheltenham Festival 2026 Tips

Cheltenham Jockey and Trainer Statistics

When it comes to Cheltenham jockeys and trainers, there are some that automatically come to mind for bringing some of the moments and memories to racegoers and the horse racing world. 

Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Nicky Henderson, Henry de Bromhead. Sound familiar? We thought so! 

It is Mr W P Mullins who has the most winners at Cheltenham and is often one of the go-to Cheltenham tips found in the build-up to the event. The Irishman has had 70 winners in the last 10 years to earn himself the best Cheltenham festival trainer title. He shares the most wins with jockey Paul Townend, who has 33 Cheltenham winners in total.

It is only jockeys Rachael Blackmore (16), Nico de Boinville (15), Jack Kennedy (11) and Mark Walsh (10) who have wins in double figures at the festival. 

Up next is Gordon Elliott, who has 36 wins, followed by Nicky Henderson, who has 22. However, if it is based on the number of wins between trainer and jockey combined, the stats look a little different:

1. 28 Wins - Daniel Skelton & Harry Skelton

2. 26 Wins - N J Henderson & Nico Boinville

3. 26 Wins - W P Mullins & P Townend

4. 16 Wins - N A Twiston-Davies & Sam Twiston-Davies

5. 15 Wins - Henry De Bromhead & Rachael Blackmore

Cheltenham Festival Schedule

Ahead of the festival, we have put the schedule of the four days together below so you do not miss a thing! 

Day 1: Champion Day - Tuesday 10th March 2026

13:20 - The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

14:00 - The Singer Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

14:40 - The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)

15:20 - The Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)

16:40 - The TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)

17:20 - The Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase

Day 2: Style Wednesday (Ladies Day) - Wednesday 11th March 2026

13:20 - The Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

14:00 - The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

14:40 - The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)

15:20 - The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase

16:40 -  The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)

17:20 - The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)

Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday - Thursday 12th March 2026

13:20 - The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)

14:00 - The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)

14:40 - The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

16:40 - The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap.)

17:20 - The Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

Day 4: Gold Cup Day - Friday 13th March 2026

13:20 - The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)

14:00 - The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)

14:40 - The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)

15:20 - The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

16:40 - The Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase

17:20 - The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival Feature Races

The Cheltenham Festival holds five feature races across the four-day event. Of course, there is the main spectacle of them all, the Gold Cup on Friday, but what about the others? We have taken a look at the other feature races taking place over the festival and what you can expect to find Cheltenham tips on.

• Day 1 - The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) - The first feature race of the festival, the Unibet Champion Hurdle, will take place at 16:00 on Day 1. This two-mile race is a Grade 1, the highest-quality race of its type! Featuring the most skilled hurdlers in the world, it's a truly dramatic and exciting surge to the finish line. In the 2024 Champions Hurdle, the one and only W P Mullins and jockey Paul Townend won with State Man. 

• Day 2 - The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (Grade 1) - Style Wednesday, otherwise known as Ladies' Day, sees The Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase feature at 16:00. This is a 2-mile race open to horses aged five and over and is run at breath-taking speeds with no places to hide. The 2024 race saw Captain Guinness cross the line first, trained by Henry De Bromhead and ridden by jockey Rachael Blackmore.

• Day 3 - The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1) & The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) - St Patrick’s Thursday sees two feature races take place at 15:20 and 16:00. These are two of the festival's most anticipated events where we have seen unforgettable performances and moments of glory that have gone down in history. The 2024 Steeple Chase saw Dan and Harry Skelton take the win with Protektorat. The Stayers’ Hurdle was won by Teahupoo from Gordon Elliott’s camp, ridden by Jack Kennedy.

• Day 4 - The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1) - Friday is the big one—it’s Gold Cup Day. The most prestigious National Hunt race in the country is run over 3 miles and 2 furlongs, with 22 fences to jump. It has been won by some of the greatest horses in the sport's history. The previous two Gold Cup races have been won by Galopin Des Champs, one of Willie Mullins's stars on the track! Could he go on to win three in a row in 2025?

How to Bet on Cheltenham

Placing bets on Cheltenham races is, without a doubt, an exciting experience, giving bettors the opportunity to test their knowledge and luck in one of the UK’s most prestigious horse racing events. Whilst it is important to remember that winning a bet is never a guarantee, there are some strategies and tips that you can employ to place a bet effectively and avoid common mistakes. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started.

• Step 1: Choose a Betting Platform - Decide whether you to take your pick of our recommended online betting sites, go to a betting shop, or bet directly at the racecourse. It is more convenient to place a bet via an online bookmaker’s website or app, and you can often make use of some exciting free bet offers for new customers. We advise you to make sure the platform is licensed and reputable. 

• Step 2: Understand the Types of Bets - Knowing the different types of bets you can place at Cheltenham is beneficial. If you are a beginner, we recommend starting out with simpler bets like “to win” or “each-way”; however, if you are more experienced in the betting field, you might like to try an accumulator, bet builder or forecast. 

• Step 3: Do Your Research - Make sure to study the racecard for details and information about the horse, jockeys and trainers and their previous successes. It is also important to know about the ground condition and how it can affect the horse you’re betting on. It can be a mistake to bet solely based on favourites. 

• Step 4: Place Your Bet - Once you have decided on the horse and the type of bet, choose your stake, review your selection and confirm. Make sure that if you’re betting online and claiming a welcome bonus, that you are meeting the requirements otherwise you might miss out on bonus funds. 

Tips for Betting on Cheltenham

When it comes to betting on Cheltenham, there are some things you can do to make the most of your betting experience.

Do Your Research

It is always beneficial to do a bit of research before placing any bets on Cheltenham. This will help bettors to be fully informed and place the best bets. Take a look into things such as the form of the horses that are racing, any injuries, time out, recent wins or losses, and also look at the history and success and stats for trainers and jockeys. There are various reputable sources that bettors can use to help them place more knowledgable bets including Racing Post and Timeform. 

Understand the Festival Trends

Take a look if there are any trends in past winners of races at Cheltenham Festival. These can sometimes be the best Cheltenham tips. Take a look at any horses that perform well on the undulating tracks at Cheltenham, as well as trends in past winner trainers and jockeys. For example, if a Willie Mullins or Nicky Henderson horse has been a dominant force in a particular race, this trend could repeat itself next time out!

Pay Attention to Ground Conditions

Another key aspect to look into is how the different ground conditions will impact different horses. The ground can be soft, good or heavy, and each condition will have its own impact on a horse that is racing. You can check on things such as the weather forecast ahead of a race and day-to-day updates on the track to try and get any hints as to its condition and what horses may be at an advantage or disadvantage.

Value Over Favourites

It is extremely important to place bets based on their value, as opposed to betting blindly on favourites. Just because a horse is a favourite to win set by the bookies, does not always mean that will be the case. Take the time to look at value bets, such as each-way bets, where you can still be in with a chance to win even if your selection does not! Also, look for any underdogs with strong potential that could have been mispriced by a site!

Use Promotions and Offers

It is always worthwhile taking advantage of any bookmaker offers on the Cheltenham festival to further enhance your bets! These include the likes of Cheltenham free bets, enhanced odds, money-back specials, and more! Always be sure to compare bookmakers' offers so you know that you are getting the best value bonus and potential winnings.

Set a Budget

Setting yourself up with a budget before placing any bets from Cheltenham tips is an essential way to keep track of your betting, spending and overall gambling habits. Prevent spending more than you can afford and stay within your own limits to ensure betting on the racing remains a bit of fun and enjoyment!

Take Advantage of NRNB Bookies

NRNB are a hugely popular promotion come the Cheltenham festival. They provide bettors with a sense of added security when placing bets and mean no bettors are left empty-handed due to factors outside of their control. 

Under the NRNB terms, if a horse that you have wagered on does not run in the race, bettors are assured that their stake will be refunded in full. This is often in the form of free bet credits to use to play another bet at the site. It's particularly valuable for bets that are placed early, ahead of time, as if a lineup is announced without your selection, you can get your money back. It allows bettors to lock in early, valuable odds without the risk of losing and keeps it flexible for punters. It is certainly one of the top Cheltenham racing tips coming up to the event.

Understanding Cheltenham Festival Terminology

Newcomers to the world of betting, particularly for the Cheltenham Festival, might find the “Cheltenham language” difficult to translate. There are some frequently used terms that, if you take the time to learn and understand, will make your whole Cheltenham Festival experience a lot less daunting. For example:

Types of Races:

Hurdle: A hurdle race is simply where the horses jump over small, flexible barriers known as hurdles. This type of race is a test of the horse’s speed and agility, as well as the jockey’s control. 

Chase: Chase (or steeplechase) races typically involve larger, more rigid fences and are often set over longer distances. It is a test of the horse’s stamina and jumping ability. 

National Hunt Flat Race: Otherwise known as a “bumper”, this is a flat race for the less experienced horses in the festival. It is a great way to introduce them to the sport.

Key Terms:

Festival Banker: This is a name given to a horse that is widely expected to win and is considered a reliable bet. 

Going: The term given to describe the conditions of the track or ground, ranging from firm to heavy. Ground conditions are a factor that can greatly impact the overall performance of the horse. 

Handicap: This is a race where the horse’s competing all carry different weights. The selection for the race is based on ability, making it a leveller playing field. 

SP (Starting Price): This is the official odds of a horse at the start of the race and is used to calculate payouts. 

Ante-Post Betting: This is a type of bet that you place well in advance. An ante-poste bet often comes with higher odds but has greater risk as your selection may not run. 

Racecourse Features:

Cheltenham Hill: This is the renowned uphill finish that tests and horse’s stamina and can often change the predicted outcome of the race.

Prestbury Park: This is the name of Cheltenham’s racecourse where the festival is held. 

👉 Related Post: https://www.livescore.com/en-gb/betting-sites/royal-ascot-free-bets/

Cheltenham Racecourse Guide

Are you heading to the Cheltenham Festival for the first time? Or simply just want to know more about the racecourse? We have some top Cheltenham Festival tips to help make your day a success!

The Old Course & The New Course

There are two courses at Cheltenham Racecourse that are both used for the festival: the Old Course and the New Course. Both are very similar 

• Old Course - used for first two days of Cheltenham, faster, favoures strong-travelling, prominent running types.

• New Course - used for the last day two days of Cheltenham, favours horses with stamina. 

Facilities & Stunning Views

The racecourse is situated in a picturesque part of Gloucestershire, where racegoers can expect stunning views and backdrops while enjoying the racing action. 

The facilities at the track are extensive, providing racegoers with plenty to keep them entertained alongside the racing action. This includes eateries, shops, bar’s, and live music.