It is widely considered one of the biggest horse racing events in the world, and it is almost back to provide fans with all the excitement that it has to offer. The Cheltenham Festival sees the very best in jump racing take place, with the sport’s best jockeys, horses, and trainers all descending on the southwestern town in England.
Traditionally held across the week of St Patrick’s Day in March, the annual festival continually attracts fans from all corners of the globe. While attendance is limited, millions tune in to their TVs to see the very best competitors, with many enhancing the competition by placing bets on the racing.
This year, it is possible to take advantage of several Cheltenham Betting Offers when using the sites that are deemed the safest for sports betting. Punters will want to get the best experiences possible, which can include betting on certain markets or being paid out based on the number of places being offered. The best and safest sites can also provide enhanced odds or even free bets on the first race of the day. Using the top sites can also ensure safety, which is paramount when engaging in sports betting.
As we get closer to the spectacle, this preview will provide you with an overview of what to potentially expect, as well as give you information from last year’s event – as this may provide you with some insightful knowledge that may be useful if you decide to take advantage of the offers available…
2024 Cheltenham Festival insights and favourites
The Cheltenham Festival is famed for its races. There will be a total of 28 races taking place between Tuesday 12 March and Friday 15 March, with each day having ‘Feature Races’. Half of the races scheduled to be run will be run by Grade 1 horses. These are the biggest races and the ones that can often attract plenty of interest. They are not always the main ones – with Cheltenham boasting the Arkle and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – but these are the races that the festival is built around.
They include:
- Champion Hurdle – on the Old Course, it is run over 2 miles and ½ furlong consisting of eight hurdles.
- Queen Mother Champion Chase – run over 1 mile, 7 furlongs, and 199 yards (3,199 metres) on the Old Course, it has 13 fences.
- Stayers’ Hurdle – run over approximately 3 miles, it is run on the New Course and features 12 jumps.
- Cheltenham Gold Cup – Approximately consisting of 3 miles 2½ furlongs, it takes place on the New Course and requires horses to jump 22 fences in total.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the main event of the festival and is the one that draws a lot of attention. It is arguably the pinnacle of jump racing and has even become the one that trainers and jockeys want to win the most due to its prestige. The winner of the 2023 edition – Galopin Des Champs – was awarded £350,000 in prize money, with £650,000 being up for grabs in total.
According to the betting odds for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, the bookies favourites for each race are:
- Champion Hurdle – State Man
- Queen Mother Champion Chase – El Fabiolo
- Stayers’ Hurdle – Teahupoo
- Cheltenham Gold Cup – Galopin Des Champs
While these horses are considered the favourites now, it is always wise to keep up with the latest news and updates, as these can have an influence on the bets you may want to make. By keeping abreast of them, then you will be better informed. Odds can fluctuate and change a lot between now and the race, so it is vitally important to consider these things factors when betting.
Who won the biggest races at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival?
It can always be a good idea to look at historical data when looking at the Cheltenham Festival, as there can be instances in which it can be very helpful. There have been occasions in which horses have been dominant in a meet or at a track. Knowing this information could potentially have a big hand in identifying a possible winner.
Here are the horses that won the biggest ‘Feature Races’ last year:
- Champion Hurdle – Constitution Hill – was ruled out of this year’s race on 4 March and many would have expected him to dominate again after winning by 9 lengths to State Man last season.
- Queen Mother Champion Chase – Energumene (won back-to-back Chases) and has been injured this season.
- Stayers’ Hurdle – Sire Du Berlais won last season but is considered an outsider for this year’s event.
- Cheltenham Gold Cup – Galopin Des Champs won by 7 lengths to Bravemansgame last season and is expected to produce something similar this year.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.