Cheltenham Festival Extravaganza

Beginning on Tuesday 16th of March, this is a highlight of the racing calendar. It’s an extravaganza and true test of the agility and strength of the competing horses. It takes place over 4 days and finishes on Friday, March 19, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

However, the bad news is that this year, spectators will not be allowed into the racetrack, only trainers, staff and the industry hierarchy. Although fans will be able to enjoy it on TV and streams broadcasting live. The pandemic has hit the whole industry, and this will be another meet that has to be behind closed doors. Disappointing for race fans but the show must go on and we will try to capture some of the suspense and thrills that will still make this event fabulous.

Which Horses to Back

The Champions Chase will have 32 horses on the card and there will be records and hearts to be broken. Crowd favorite and legendary Altior is one win away from a staggering 5 Festival wins and a new record. But can he really do it against the unstoppable Willie Mullins horse Chacun Pour Soi? Chacun is favorite at 6/4 and then there is Politologue who has raced 4 times in this race and came second in 2019 and 1st last year. Some pundits have Politologue as favorite; he is that close to Chacun Pour Soi. So, although Altior has the pedigree, the 2 previous wins and the sentimentality, we don’t think he can beat the odds and get his 5th Festival win, unfortunately.

We like Monkfish in the Festival RSA Chase, because he is head and shoulders above the rest in the field. Latest Exhibition is perhaps his closest rival but has been beaten by Monkfish and quite convincingly in their last 2 races. Envoi Allen is also in this race and has pedigree, but we feel his trainer will have his eye on the Marsh Novices’ Chase where he is currently 10/11 to take the title and the RSA Chase could just be used as a warmer. Envoi Allen has 12 wins and 5 Grade One wins so is a good horse to back in the Marsh Novice’s Chase.

Getting the Best Odds & Free Bets

For the best odds, look out for Cheltenham Festival betting offers. As this event is a big deal within the entire sports betting world, there will be an army of special promotions including free bets and deposit match bonus deals. For example, you can deposit £10 and receive an extra £30 in bonuses. Cheltenham free bets at freebets.uk is a great example of some of the special offers and promotions from a variety of sports books that cover horse racing markets.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup

On the final day, the famous Friday finishes with the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Another Willie Mullins horse Al Boum Photo is at 4/1 and has won 2 years running, this would be a record-equalling 3rd win if he can defend his title this year, a feat achieved by the fantastic Best Mate in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Likely to be jockeyed by Paul Townend who teamed up with Al Boum to win Tranmore at the start of the year.

Two horses that Al Boum knows well but has wins over are Santini and Lostintranslation who lost to Al Boum Photo last year. Danger may come from debutant A Plus Tard, who is from a great stable and is valued at 10/1. He beat the best of the Irish in the Grade 1 Savills Chase in a Christmas meet. And then there is young upstart Royale Pagaille, who has yet to be tested at this level but looks some prospect. His odds have drifted from 9/1 to 16/1 as well in recent days so some good value there.