Some bookies may require a promo code, which will be clearly shown. Place your qualifying bet: Wager the minimum required bet sports betting offers today stake at the stated odds to unlock your free bet tokens. Once credited, you can use your free bets across Cheltenham in whichever way suits your style: Back an outsider: Use a free bet on a long-shot in a Championship race for a potential big return. Build an acca: Combine several Festival favourites into a single bet to boost winnings. Spread your stakes: Split tokens across different days and races to stay involved all week. Free bets are a popular way to add value at the Cheltenham Festival. The upside is obvious — you can win without risking your own cash.
Day 3 – Stayers’ Hurdle: A test of stamina that regularly sees money-back specials if your pick finishes second or third. Day 4 – Cheltenham Gold Cup: The pinnacle of jump racing — and the race where bookmakers push their biggest sign-up deals and earliest NRNB concessions. Getting your Cheltenham free bets is straightforward. Choose an offer: Use our toplist above to find the bookmaker sign-up deal that suits you best. Register and deposit: Open an account, add your details, and make a qualifying deposit. Downsides include that stakes aren’t returned, some offers only apply to certain markets or minimum odds, and free bet tokens usually expire within 7–30 days. Once your free bet tokens are credited, you can use them on a wide range of Festival markets. Here are three popular ways punters put their Cheltenham free bets to work: Back a Festival favourite: Many use free bets on short-priced stars in Championship races, turning tokens into reliable returns. Each-way on a big-field handicap: Free bets are ideal for chasing bigger payouts on outsiders, especially with extra place offers running. Build a multiple: Combine a few Cheltenham selections into an accumulator for the chance of a larger win from a free token. Always check the terms before placing your wager — some free bets may exclude certain markets or bet types.
Always check the small print before claiming Cheltenham free bets. Key terms can vary by bookmaker and may affect how useful an offer is. Here are the main points to look for: Some free bet offers cap the maximum winnings that can be withdrawn. Always check the upper limit before staking.
Qualifying bets must usually be placed at a minimum price (commonly 1/2, evens, or higher). Bets below this won’t trigger the free bet. Sportsbook free bets rarely carry heavy wagering, but some may require you to play through winnings once or twice before withdrawal. Free bet tokens often expire within 7–30 days. Make sure you use them before they vanish. Some tokens are limited to horse racing, others can be used across multiple sports. Welcome offers are bet best bookie offers for new customers only.
Known for their money-back specials, Paddy Power frequently run Festival promos like refunds if your horse finishes second, third, or even fourth depending on field size. Free bets are valid for 30 days and can be spread across racing or other sports, but their Cheltenham concessions are the biggest draw. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £40 in free bets. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. Bookmakers run a wide range of promotions during the Cheltenham Festival and other big meetings at Prestbury Park.
Here are the main types of Cheltenham offers to look out for: Welcome free bets are the most common type of offer, but existing customers are rewarded too. Free bet clubs and daily refunds are especially popular during the Festival, with tokens credited if your horse finishes just outside the places or your qualifying bet loses. Bookmakers will boost selected runners or give tokens you can use on a market of your choice. A price might jump from 2/1 to 3/1 — giving you a bigger return if your bet wins. Money back if your horse finishes second (or even third or fourth in big fields) is a Festival favourite. If you already hold an account with a bookmaker (or a related brand under the same group), you won’t qualify. E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are often excluded. Debit card or Apple Pay deposits are usually safest to qualify. Bookmakers may exclude customers who attempt to abuse offers through arbitrage or matched betting tactics. Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) is one of the most valuable Cheltenham concessions. If you back a horse and its SP (Starting Price) is bigger than the odds you took, you’ll be paid at the higher price. Below are the leading UK bookmakers currently offering BOG on Cheltenham races: Extra places are one of the most valuable Cheltenham Festival concessions — they can be the difference between collecting on an each-way bet and going home empty-handed. Here are the leading bookmakers known for running extra place races during the Festival: Other firms such as Virgin Bet, BetUK, BetVictor, QuinnBet and RhinoBet also run extra place races, though terms vary daily.
Sky Bet’s Cheltenham offer is one of the most generous for such a small outlay. New customers who stake just 5p at minimum odds of 1/1 (2.0) receive £40 in free bets. Tokens are valid for 30 days and can be split across any sports market, including Cheltenham races. Sky Bet are also renowned for extra places at the Festival, often beating rival firms by one or two spots on big handicaps. bet365’s long-standing welcome bonus remains a Festival favourite.
Place a qualifying £10 bet at odds of 1/5 (1.2) or greater and you’ll unlock £30 in free bets, credited instantly. bet365 excel at Cheltenham with deep markets, industry-leading bet builders, and daily offers such as their 2 Goals Ahead early payout. Free bets expire in 30 days, giving plenty of time to use them across the four days of action. #AD 18+ New customers can sign up using bonus code HR365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Paddy Power’s Cheltenham deal gives new customers £30 in free bets bet football betting app free after a £5 qualifying wager. Always check the racecard on the morning of each race to confirm the exact place terms. Most major UK bookmakers stream Cheltenham races direct to your phone or desktop. For some, all you need is a funded account; others ask for a small qualifying bet on the race. Here’s how the leading bookies compare: Other firms such as Virgin Bet, BetUK, BetVictor and LiveScore Bet also stream Cheltenham races.
Typically these follow the same rule: either a funded account or a £1 qualifying bet. Other sites like CopyBet and RhinoBet do not currently provide live streaming.
Read on for more details about each offer and how you can claim The Cheltenham Festival is 100% the best time of year for horse racing betting offers for both new and existing customers. When it comes to sign-up offers, you can expect to receive £50-£60 in free bets versus £30-£40 for the rest of the year. On top of that, there will be enhanced odds offers from the likes of Paddy Power, Sky Bet and Betfair including things like 50/1 for Willie Mullins to train a winner at the meeting or 50/1 for an Irish horse to win on day one. For existing customers, there will be a whole load of extra place races with some bookies paying 7 or 8 places on the big handicaps plus Best Odds Guaranteed, money back specials and price boosts galore. Make sure you take advantage at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Autumn Trials / November Meeting: Frequent extra places on big handicaps; targeted price boosts. International Meeting (December): Wider Best Odds Guaranteed coverage and selected money-back offers. New Year’s Day / Trials Day: Early BOG cut-ins and occasional specials on feature races. Most UK bookmakers push special sign-up offers around the Cheltenham Festival and other big meetings at Prestbury Park. Below are our top three picks for value and usability — with full details of each welcome bonus and why they stand out. Most welcome offers can be used on the Gold Cup, and some bookies run Gold Cup–specific promotions in the build-up to the race. Almost every major UK bookmaker runs a Cheltenham sign-up offer, though terms like minimum odds and market restrictions may apply. This Cheltenham concession refunds your stake if your ante-post selection doesn’t run, giving extra security when betting in advance. These promotions refund your stake (often as a free bet) if your horse loses under certain conditions — for example, finishing second or losing by a narrow margin. You can sign up with multiple bookies and claim several Cheltenham free bet offers, as long as you haven’t registered with them before.
| Bookmaker | Offer Type | Trigger | Free Bet Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coral | Weekly Free Bet | Bet £25+ on Sports | £5 |
| Betfair | Acca Insurance | 1 leg fails in 5+ fold | Stake back as Free Bet |
| Ladbrokes | 5-A-Side Free Bet | Enter prediction game | Up to £10 |
| Betway | Early Payout | Team leads by 2 goals | Bet paid as cash |
Match the offer to your betting style. Big-stake punters may prefer larger bonuses, while casual bettors often go for low-qualifier, high-reward deals. Get £40 in Free Bets when you join and bet £10.
These refunds are usually given as free bets and provide a valuable safety net in the ultra-competitive Cheltenham races. Some sign-up deals at Cheltenham require a promo code when you register or deposit. These can unlock free bets, profit boosts, or other rewards. Always check the small print before claiming to ensure your bet qualifies. Non Runner No Bet (NRNB) is a concession offered by bookmakers in the run up to the Cheltenham Festival each year.
Usually with antepost betting, if your horse doesn't run, your bet is a loser but, with NRNB, if the horse doesn't compete in the race, you get your money back. Some firms have renamed this promotion in recent years NRMB (non runner, money back). The Cheltenham Festival runs over four days each March and is packed with betting opportunities. Here are the standout races where bookmakers often attach their biggest free bet offers and extra place promotions: Day 1 – Champion Hurdle: The feature of opening day, often supported by extra places on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Day 2 – Champion Chase: A key betting heat for two-mile chasers, with price boosts common across major firms. Place a £10 bet at Evens (1/1) or greater. When it settles, receive £40 in Free Bets!