Cheltenham Articles, Betting Offers & Guides

Horse Racing Money Back

Horse racing is a sport where predicting the winner is harder than in most other sports and this is why the odds tend to be good, the favourites win only around 30% of the time and this tells you everything. Being liable to upsets means having insurance that gives you your money back can be a sesnible idea in the long run. On our page we list horse racing money back promotions for Cheltenham, the Festival and horse racing in general. Most of these give you a refund if your horse is second, beaten by a length, etc., usually as a free bet but on occasion, especially during the festival, in cash. It has even be known to see money back in cash if you lose during the event.

Best Odds Guaranteed For The Cheltenham Festival

Best Odds Guarantees work a little bit differently to normal for the Cheltenham Festival and so we have a separate dedicated page for it. Normally BOG is only available on the day the races are held on but for the Festival many bookies will offer best price guaranteed months in advance for feature races and weeks in advance for all races.

Tote and Totepool Betting

Fed up of bookies taking all the profits? Try totepool betting. The tote is in fact one of the oldest ways to bet on horse racing, originally established by the UK government in the 1920's. Now owned by a consortium, and syndicated to other bookies, bets are placed in a pool and shared between the winners with the operator taking a set commission. Totepool bets generally pay better than fixed odds.

Lucky Bets and Bonuses For Horse Racing

Lucky 15, 31 and 63 bets are a type of full cover bet. These are effectively packages that cover all the possible single and multiple bets from a given number of selections, very popular in horse racing. A Lucky 15, for example, is a package of 15 bets on 4 selections (4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles and a 4-fold). Don't just place these bets with anyone however as there are some great bonuses to be had.

Non-Runner No Bet

Not everybody realises that you are only covered for sure by non-runner no bet if you bet on the day of the race. Placing your wagers before this time is classed as ante-post and with most of these bets you do not get your money back if your horse is a non-runner. There are lots of good reasons to bet ante-post however and some bookies do offer no-runner no bet ante-post, especially for the festival.

Free Bets And Bonuses For Winners

Before you bet on horse racing, especially televised and high profile races, consider that you could be earning free bets or bonuses each time you back a winner. We look at some of the very best free bets for winners offers from the likes of Betfair that over time will genuinely add to your winnings.

Best Odds Guaranteed For Horse Racing

Before the best price guarantee it was difficult for punters to know when to place their bets. If you take the starting price and it drifts in you would be annoyed and if you took the fixed price and the odds drifted out you would also be peeved. Many bookies now guarantee to match the SP if your on the day fixed price is lower. Some bookies offers are however better than others, find the right BOG offer for you by visiting our best price guide

Looking for ante-post best price guarantees specific to the Cheltenham Festival? See our dedicated page.

Faller & Fail To Finish Insurance For Horse Racing

This is a great value offer giving you your stake back, usually up to £25, if your horse falls, is brought down or unseats the jockey. Depending on the weather other factors fallers can number quite highly and so why bet without it?

Live Streaming of Horse Racing

There really is little reason these days to bet without watching a race live. With so many good online betting sites now providing live streams of horse racing from all over the world why would you bet with a bookie who didn't. The average cost to watch is just £1, with some sites offering live broadcasts for just 50p, or £0.25 each way.

Live In Play Betting On Horse Racing

Live betting is at the point now where it is regularly overtaking pre-event wagers for big events. Despite misconceptions it is possible to bet live in play on horse racing, that is if you bet with the right site. You can also stream live alongside and cash out your bets during the race itself. Cheltenham has plenty of long races where in play betting will be useful.

Cash Out And Partial Cash Out On Horse Racing

Cash Out, partial cash out, auto cash out, and other tools are very useful and can be highly profitable, when used well. Now available for horse racing multiples, and even for singles during live races with some bookies, this is an exciting betting tool for Cheltenham. Cash out also however carries high commissions, make sure you understand the system first.

What Is 'Going' In Horse Racing? What Does It Mean?

We all know 'the going is good' is a positive phrase and that is partly because 'good' ground is often seen as the optimal conditions for horses to run on. Not so firm it will cause injuries but no so soft that horses get bogged down. The going terminology can be a little confusing to the uninitiated so we go through the various ground conditions and the words used to reflect that. Confusingly there are different 'going' classifications in different countries.

What Is The Starting Price In Racing & Should You Take It?

The starting price or SP does what it says, it give you the odds of the horse at the time the race starts and betting closes. The price of a horse varies the most in the minutes up to the start of a race and if you think the odds will drift out then taking the SP over the fixed price could be worth it. These days, however, with many bookies offering best odds guarantees that promises to match the SP if higher then there are little benefits to taking it.

The Best Time To Bet Ante-Post On Horse Racing

Most people who bet seriously on horse racing, or do it for a living, will bet ante-post. These advance bets come with higher risk, such as losing you stake if the horse doesn't run. They can, however, also have a lot of benefits - mainly getting better odds in advance in exchange for that higher risk. Here we look at the pros and cons of ante-post betting at Cheltenham and on horse racing in general and ask if there is a right time to bet ante-post.

What Is A Dead Heat In Horse Racing?

A dead heat is a situation where two are more horses are tied for a position. While rarer these days with modern photo technology they do still occur and all bookies have rules that will apply in these instances. If tied for first place the payout is divided by the number of winners, if your horse ties in a place the payout is shared between the number of horses and number of places. Find out more on this page.

Ante-Post Betting On Horse Racing

Betting ante-post is something most people avoid due to the risks of non-runners, injury and poor place terms.  Advance betting on horse racing can however yield good returns, especially if you can use knowledge well.  For big meetings, such as the festival, you can now reliably get NRNB and even BOG on ante-post bets months in advance, making these bets very attractive.

How To Bet On Horse Racing

There is so much more to betting on the nags than a win single or each way bet. In our how to bet guide for horse racing we look at more complex bet types such as full cover bets and forecasts, accumulators and pool betting such as totepool. We also look at different prices (e.g ante-post vs early prices) along with how to get the best out of betting features and offers such as best odds guaranteed and cash out.

Disqualification, Non-Runners and Rule 4

Knowing the official rules about what happens to a bet if there is a disqualification or non-runners can help prevent any nasty surprises if you don't get paid out or your winnings are less than you thought they'd be. We explain what happens in these events and we also look at rule 4 and other Tattersalls Rule of Racing to give you the heads up on what will happen to your wagers.

Horse Racing News, Statistics & Blogs

Gone are the days of needing to sit down with a Racing Post before placing your bets. Today betting sites offer a huge range of news, statistics, tip and blog features that can give you far more than any newspaper could. Of course not all sites offer these services and those that do are certainly not all equal. It is important to trust the information you are given.

Most Feared Fences In Horse Racing

There are very few easy fences in jump racing but there are certainly some fences that are harder than others and a few obstacles that strike fear into jockeys (and most likely horses) as they approach them and try to get over them. Here we look at some of the most feared and difficult fences and obstacles to jump in horse racing, typically over half of these are at Aintree on the Grand National course. We also look at some spectacular jumps from around the world.

Most Common Jockey Injuries In Horse Racing

Let's face it jumping onto the back of a thoroughbred horse and running at up to 40 miles an hour, often over fences, with a load of other horses and riders is hardly a risk free pursuit. Everyone who has ever ridden a horse has fallen off it at some point and for jockeys racing horses most days of the year it is a fact of life that at some point they will get an injury. Here we look at jockey injuries, the most common body part affected and the differences between jump and flat racing injuries.

How To Become A Horse Racing Jockey?

Leading jockeys can earn a lot of money but the reality is most do not, largely becoming a jockey is a labour of love requiring long days, lots of travel and taking risks. Therefore, those that become jockeys tend to do it for their love of horses and racing and most will not earn enough from racing to simply stop working when they retire. Here we look at how to become a jockey and what it takes to be a professional.

Most Common Race Horse Injuries

In all elite sports there is a risk of injury and with horses having been bred for thousands of years to be as fast and strong as possible it is natural that common injuries affect these animals. Today the number of horses that die or are put down from injuries is at its lowest rate ever but there are still some injuries that cannot be fixed and lead to horses suffering an early end to life. Here we look at the most common injuries that race horses suffer from and why.

Richest Races In Horse Racing

While a typical horse race will have prize money in the low 10's of thousands there are races out there today that boast staggering prize money, well into the millions. Many of these new mega-rich races are held in countries like Saudi Arabia and Duabi who have compensated for a lack of history by offering silly levels of prize money. We look at the richest races in horse racing and as none of them are jump races we also look at the richest jump races too.

Impact Of Wetter Winters On UK Jump Racing

The evidence that our climate is changing is now irrefutable and data suggests that in the UK a warming world will manifest itself in the form of hotter direr summers and warmer wetter winters. Of course dry summers is no bad thing for flat racing but wetter winters could have a big impact on the jump racing season. Recent years have already seen more meetings cancelled due to waterlogging than ever before. How will jump racing and racecourses adapt in the future?

How Long Do Racehorses Live For? What Are The Oldest Horses To Have Lived?

Horses are a lot like humans, they are very fast and reactive when young and grow stronger and gain stamina with age. An ex-racehorse will generally live to 22-28 years old, retiring before the age of 13 for most, which is roughly equivalent to humans who compete in professional sport when extrapolated. What is interesting is that horses are living longer, just like people are, largely thanks to better science, diet and care.

How Much Do Jockeys Weigh?

In handicap races it doesn't really matter what the jockey weighs as that is taken into account but for other racing it can be a critical factor. Of course, we know jockeys tend to be small and lean but even then a few pounds can make a big difference. There are minimum weights in place but this still hasn't stopped all of the issues with jockeys and eating disorders. Find out more.

Rules For Naming Race Horses

You might see all the weird and wonderful names of horses and think you can come up with virtually any name. The reality is naming a horse is more complicated than you might think, with around 30% of those proposed being rejected. This is usually because it is the same or similar to an existing name but in many cases they are rejected because they are rude. Here we look at the rules around naming and few of the dodgy ones that slipped through.

Who Would Win A Race Between A Horse And A Dog?

It might be a question you ask down the pub after a few pints but actually people have wondered this question for a long time and there have in fact been numerous races between greyhounds and horses to see who will win. It may seem a silly question but when you think about it there is a lot that comes into play when asking who would win a race between a horse and a dog.

What Makes A Good Jump Racing Stayer?

Jump racing is an intensive sport requiring stamina and with pace when it matters. Arguably stayers races are the most difficult of all types of jump racing, with long races (often over 3 miles) with more fences or hurdles to jump and more risk of falling. We look at what makes a good stayer, how horses are bred and trained for these races along with the biggest races and most famous stayer horses.

What Is A Stewards Enquiry?

While most people have heard of a Stewards Enquiry, or may have had a bet impacted by one, few know what actually goes on behind the scenes. Here we look at exactly what a stewards enquiry is, what the process is and common reasons they are brought forward. We also cover what happens to bets when there is an enquiry and how they are different to disciplinary hearings.

Why Are Horses Disqualified and Who Decides?

There is nothing worse than a horse winning a race only to then see it disqualified. From a betting perspective the official result is what they will pay out on but we deal with that on another page. Here we are looking at the major reasons why horses get disqualified, when a horse can be disqualified who makes the decisions. We also look at some famous examples.

Courses At Cheltenham: Old, New and Cross Country

The phrase usually goes 'out with the old and in with the new' but not at Cheltenham racecourse which boasts two main courses along with a third more challenging cross country course. The fact that Cheltenham has three elite National Hunt courses is one of the very reasons why it hosts the biggest jump racing festival in the world but how exactly are the courses different and what are the features of each?

How Are Jump Horses Trained Differently To Flat Horses?

Flat races and jump races are obviously very different. Flat races are faster, generally over a shorter distance and are dominated by younger horses whereas jump races are more about stamina over longer distances and of course with hurdles and fences. Therefore, when it comes to training horses for these two very distinct disciplines what are the differences and similarities in the methods used?

Longest Odds Winners In Horse Racing History

Generally having long odds is a sign you should leave that horse well alone but of course there are instances where runners have far exceeded their expectations and won with silly odds. On this page we look at the longest odds winners in horse racing as well as the longest odds winners at the Cheltenham Festival. Perhaps reading this may give you some insights to find the next 100/1+ winner out there.

How Much Money Is Bet At The Cheltenham Festival?

Let's face it if the Cheltenham Festival is regarded as the biggest jump horse racing event in the world in terms of pretty much every measure but one of the most important of those is the amount that is bet on it. The Festival attracts north of £500 million a year in bets and they are just the ones that are known about. It is truly eye watering the amount people stake on this event and on our page here we look at those numbers and why betting at Cheltenham is such big business and why it is so important to the horse racing industry.

How Much Is The Cheltenham Festival Worth To The Economy, Local & National?

Cheltenham is a very old spa town nestled on the edge of the Cotswolds, this means there are lots of reasons why people visit the place other than for racing, with tourism and other festivals a big draw fro the town. There is no doubting those Cheltenham would not be the place it is without horse racing and the Cheltenham Festival in particular. On this page we look at how much the Festival is worth to the local and British economy.

Top 5 Cheltenham Festival Owners

Being an owner of race horses may carry a lot of prestige but in reality it is an expensive hobby for most. It takes a lot of time, vision and money to be a successful owner but while these are the people that carry the industry they receive little credit compared to jockeys and trainers. We have therefore celebrated the top 5 owners of Cheltenham Festival winning horses in modern times.

Top 10 Cheltenham Festival Horses

Drawing up a top ten list of horses to have run at The Cheltenham Festival is no easy task when you consider it is the pinnacle of jump racing and virtually every horse involved is an elite winner. Within that though there are some stand out examples such as Arkle and Golden Miller, who are so revered they have statues at the course and races named after them. The other 8 on the list are also deserving of statues, but then if Cheltenham built one for every horse on our list they wouldn't have much space for spectators.

Top 5 Cheltenham Festival Trainers

Trainers are arguably the most critical factor in horse racing, you can have the best horse in the world on paper but that doesn't matter if you can't get the best out of them on raceday. Any trainer who wins at the Cheltenham Festival deserves accolade but there are a small group of trainers that have not just won at Cheltenham but have done so year after year after year. On our page we celebrate these elite trainers and their achievements.

Top 5 Cheltenham Festival Jockeys

Riding a winner at the Cheltenham Festival is one of the biggest things a jockey can do in horse racing and anyone that manages it should be given huge applause. There are, however, a number of jockeys over the years that have ridden not just one winner but have won all the big races, lots of times. On our top 5 festival jockeys page we give special mention to this elite group of horsemen who set the benchmark for future hopefuls.

Accessibility & Disabled Access At Cheltenham

Cheltenham racecourse can certainly be put into the top bracket when it comes to accessible courses. They have worked hard to make as many areas as possible accessible to people with mobility issues and this is reflected in the 1000's of people a year that visit the course with reduced mobility. On our page we look at accessibility at Cheltenham in general and for the Cheltenham Festival.

Biggest and Best Female Trainers In Horse Racing

There is less of a disparity between men and women when it comes to trainers compared to jockeys. Only recently have female jockeys been giving relative parity with men, however, female trainers have been training winning horses for a long time. Still, it is an uphill battle for top women trainers as the world of horse racing is still elitist and chauvinistic, we look at the biggest, best and most successful female trainers.

Celebrity Race Horse Owners

The majority of people that own horses do not do it for the money, in fact, very few owners make money out of owning horses. Unless you lucky enough to own the next Frankel, Red Rum or Tiger Roll then owning horses will likely cost you. Therefore most owners do it for the prestige and glamour attached and of course one of the groups that courts this lifestyle the most are celebrities, who can afford to lose money for the lifesyle it gives them.

Can Jockeys, Trainers & Owners Bet On Horse Racing?

Looking in from the outside you might assume that no one involved in racing is allowed to place bets on the sport but in actual fact the rules are very different depending on the persons role. Jockeys are heavily restricted from betting, as you would expect, but for trainers and owners the rules are more flexible. There are also some employees, such as vets and drivers, that cannot bet but others that can, so what are the rules and why?

Things To Do & Places To Visit In Cheltenham

No one can argue that Cheltenham racecourse is by far the biggest visitor attraction in Cheltenham but at the same time you cannot forget that Cheltenham is nestled in the heart of Gloucestershire and the Cotswalds and is one the prettiest places to visit in the world. The historic spa town can trace its history to before Roman times and visitors are spoilt for choice for things to do and places to visit. If you plan to go the races and have some spare time read our guide for the best things to do in and around Cheltenham and Gloucester.

The Royal Family And The Cheltenham Festival

There are obvious links with the royal family and elite flat racing, such as Royal Ascot, but it is not common to think of royalty being associated with jump racing. The Cheltenham Festival is however an exception to this and has long has an association with the monarchy, going back to Richard III.

Indeed, one of the biggest races of the festival is the Champion Chase, which is named after the Queen Mother, who loved the festival perhaps more than any other family member in history. Read our page to find all the links between the royals and Cheltenham.

How Much Does It Cost To Be An On-Course Bookmaker?

Being a bookie isn't exactly seen as a difficult persuit, hence the phrase 'you've never seen a poor bookmaker', but in reality being an on-track operator can be one of the hardest jobs in the industry. The rise of online betting with better odds and concessions has meant on-track bookies are decreasing and the remaining independents are struggling with expenses are also rising. So, just how much does it cost to be a bookmaker at a racecourse?

How Much Money Do Race Horse Owners Make?

Racehorse owners often buy horses for many reasons other than to earn money out of them. It is actually difficult to make a good living out of racehorses and so most owners do it for the lifestyle it brings or for bragging rights. Many owners are also syndicates, hoping they will find the next Red Rum and make a mint. How much money do owners actually make and how much does it cost to be the owner of a racing horse?

How Much Money Do Trainers Make?

Most people with even a passing interest in horse racing could name one or two trainers these days, some have become celebrities of the sport, the likes of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliot. How much does a trainer actually earn though? Not just the top level trainers either, how much can a middle-of-the-road trainer expect to earn from a yard in a month? It may not be as much as you would have thought.

Cheltenham Race Types & Jump Racing Classifiations

To the uninitiated the amount of different race types run at Cheltenham and in National Hunt racing in general can be very confusing. There are differences in fences (hurdle, chase, cross-country), horses (novice, juvenile, mares', etc.), jockeys (e.g. amateur, conditions of the race (e.g. handicap), there are also different classifications depending on what the race is for (cup, trial, trophy, championship, etc.). To help you understand different types of races we have separated all the races at Cheltenham into their individual classifications with details on each.

Cheltenham Hotels

The Spa town of Cheltenham situated against the picture perfect English Cotswolds in the background is a popular place for people to visit at any time of year, but during the Cheltenham Festival the 270,000 racegoers over the week massively outnumber the 115,000 population. This can make finding a good place to stay difficult, epecially as prices ramp up. Our hotels page shows you where to stay in Cheltenham to suit a range of budgets and needs.

How Much Money Do Jockeys Make?

Being a jockey can be a tough life with a hell of a lot of travelling and rides needed to earn a living. While some elite jockeys can earn millions the fact is most riders need to participate in hundreds of rides to get a decent wage. On our page about jockey earnings we look at how much jockeys get in fees vs prize money and sponsorship and what an average jockey can reasonably expect to take home in a year.

Richest Jockeys In Horse Racing History

Jockeys are not usually known as being rich sportspeople in the same way we think of footballers, golf or tennis players. Many jockeys spend decades grafting for a living and often need to take other jobs on retirement, there are however a number of jockeys over the years that have earned a very tidy amount from riding horses around a track. In our article we look at the richest jockeys in the history of the sport.

How To Get To Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham is arguably the biggest jump race meeting in the world attracting around 70,000 spectators each day during the festival. Cheltenham, however, isn't the biggest town in the world and travelling can be difficult, especially if you leave it late. Whether you want to drive, fly, take a helicopter or limousine then we've got you covered. Read our travel guide for the best transport options.

Cheltenham Festival's Oldest Races Still Running Today

You might think the result to the question 'what is the oldest Cheltenham race' would be a one line answer, however, it is not actually that simple. When looking at the oldest Cheltenham race still running today there is no clear definition as some of the oldest races have had gaps or have been run at other courses. We therfore look at several races that could be classed as the oldest.

Which Is Bigger, The Cheltenham Festival Or The Grand National?

Most true racing fans would say there is no contest here, Cheltenham is bigger than the Nation as it is an entire 4 day meeting full of the worlds best grade 1 jump races. That being said you can't ignore the fact that more people watch and bet on the National compared to any other horse race in the world, so which is bigger?

Cheltenham Racecourse History

What is it about Cheltenham and its racecourse that made it what it is today, how did racing get started there, how did it come to hold the biggest jump racing festival in the world? It wasn't always smooth racing either, with disruption that even lead to the cancellation of horse races at the course in the early days. 

Why Has The Cheltenham Festival Become So Big?

We take it for granted that the Cheltenham Festival is the most prestigious jump race meeting in the world, yes other individual races are perhaps bigger, but no meeting has the sheer amount of quality races as Cheltenham does.  No other meeting generates as much money either, for both the local economy and for the bookies - so why, of all the festivals has Cheltenham grown to be the pinnacle of them all?

Cheltenham Festival History

Prestbury Park has seen racing in and around the site from the early 19th century, if not before, however serious races were not held at Cheltenham until the 20th century.  Therefore, how did we go from sporadic racing in the area to the worlds biggest jump racing festival in the course of a few decades?

Irish vs British Trainers & Stables At Cheltenham - Do The Irish Actually Have The Edge?

It has been said in recent years that Irish horses and trainers have come to dominate high level National Hunt racing, the Cheltenham festival in particular.  Is that actually true however, or is it is just big trainers like Willie Mullins that make it seem that way?

The Big Cheltenham Festival Quiz

If you think you know how many pints of Guinness are drunk at the festival or when the event first started then why not try our 50 question quiz on the worlds greatest jump racing meeting.

Cheltenham Racecourse During The War

Cheltenham racecourse is one of the oldest and best race venues in the world, hosting some of the most elite jump races and steeped in history.  The racecourse has however played other important roles in its time such as when it was used as a voluntary aid hospital for returning soldiers in WWI and as a training barracks in WWII.

National Hunt Jump Racing Distances

National Hunt jump racing distances are longer than for flat races, usually between two and four and a half miles in length.  Within this there is a big range, with national hunt flat races (bumpers) being the shortest, hurdles tending to be intermediate with the longest races being steeple chases. Older horses tend to run longer races (stayers) as these have more stamina.

How to Read a Race Card

If you have not had much experience reading race cards before then at first glance the array of letters, numbers and terms can look indecipherable. Luckily race cards really are not that complicated and once you've understood the basics you will be able to digest a lot of information about a race, horse, jockey or trainer from a quick glance.

Age, Sex and Weight in Horse Racing

Horse racing has many handicapping rules that define how the age of a horse, the combined weight of animal and jockey and the sex are accounted for. Depending on the type of race, time of year, and even the experience of the jockey, handicapper add weight to try to balance a field as equally as possible.

History And About National Hunt Racing In The UK

Why is jump racing referred to as National Hunt racing? Why are there so many different grades, classes, distances, conditions and names when it comes to the sport? Our guide will help you understand where National hunt hump racing came from, the various classifications as well as the difference with flat racing.

A-Z Glossary Of Horse Racing Terms

The only problem with watching and betting on horse racing is there are a lot of terms and phrases used that could stump even knowledgeable punters. This is due to the long history around racing alongside those in the know wanting to keep it that way by preserving the language. Check out our A-Z glossary for the meaning of various horse racing terms.

Grades and Classes In National Hunt Jump Racing

Horse racing is the oldest formal sport in Britain, unfortunately this long history has resulted in a myriad of grades and classes when it comes to jump racing. It is not always easy to tell from the name of a race what level to expect. Fear not we explain everything you need to know about National Hunt racing grades and classifications.