Cheltenham Festival 2026 Betting

Cheltenham Festival Guide

The Cheltenham Festival is often referred to as the Olympics of jump racing and not without good reason. Over the years plenty of horses have cemented their reputations with wins at the Cheltenham Festival which plays host to some of the most prestigious races in the jumps calendar.

From the likes of Golden Miller, Best Mate, and Arkle, to modern day icons such as Tiger Roll, Honeysuckle, and Galopin Des Champs, the four-day festival has something for everyone.

Cheltenham Festival FAQs

When Does the Cheltenham Festival Start?

The Cheltenham Festival starts on the second Tuesday of each March with what is referred to as ‘Champion Day’ where the winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle, and Champion Hurdle will be crowned.

Where To Watch the Cheltenham Festival?

If you can’t make it to the course in person, then there are plenty of options to watch the racing. Here at Spreadex, we will have live streaming of every race from Prestbury Park, but you can also watch on Racing TV. If you don’t have a subscription for there, the vast majority of the races (including all of the major ones) will be shown by ITV.

How Many Days is the Cheltenham Festival?

Previously, the festival was a three day event, but that has since been extended to four days, with the addition of more races. Always running Tuesday-Friday, critics of the extended format say that with more races in it, the best horses can avoid each other more easily. There has been talk about shifting it further back in the week to allow for racing on a weekend, but there are no signs that the current format will be changing any time soon.

How Many Races Are There at The Cheltenham Festival?

There are 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival, seven races each day. The Festival traditionally opens with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on the Tuesday.

How Can I Bet on the Cheltenham Festival?

There are a huge array of betting markets live and available to bet at the Cheltenham Festival with antepost markets hugely popular throughout the year as the favourites take shape. In the weeks before the Festival, you can bet on the top trainer, top jockey and the handicap between British and Irish based winners.

We have a full range of spread betting options that take in the entire Festival, each day, or even the individual race itself as some of our equine heroes look to make history on the fabled Gloucestershire turf.

Click here to learn more about spread betting on horse racing.

Cheltenham Festival Betting Odds

As mentioned we have a full range of antepost odds for 2026 and we will highlight some of the key races below. All information was correct at the time of writing 24^th February 2026.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Winner of the Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle Old Park Star is the favourite in our Supreme Novices’ Hurdle betting as the six-year-old looks to become Nicky Henderson’s fifth winner since 1992. Talk The Talk landed Grade 1 spoils when winning the Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival and Gordon Elliott’s El Cairos will be dangers.

Champion Chase

Marine Nationale will be looking to back up success in the race last year and Barry Connell’s nine-year-old is currently the second favourite in our Champion Chase odds. Majborough – third in last year’s Arkle when sent off 1/2 favourite – is the current market principal with Tingle Creek winner Il Etait Temps also a single figure price.

Stayers’ Hurdle

Teauphoo was the winner of this race in 2024 and he is back for another tilt at the title this year for Gordon Elliott. Also prominent in the Stayers’ Hurdle betting are Honesty Policy and Kabral Du Mathan, with 2025 Martin Pipe winner Wodhooh also prominent in the betting.

Cheltenham Gold Cup

Fridays at Cheltenham are all about the Gold Cup and this year will be no different. Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File is the current leader in the Gold Cup betting after an impressive performance in the Irish Gold Cup. Gaelic Warrior has won the Arkle and the Aintree Bowl whilst the Jukebox Man will be looking to follow up his King George success for owner Harry Rednkapp.

There will be plenty of thrills and spills over the course of the Festival and Spreadex will be with you every step of the way. For those of you who are having a punt, good luck, and remember, please bet responsibly!