Betting
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6th March 2026
09:35am GMT
For jump racing, Cheltenham Festival is the biggest week of the year, and during the four days of action at the festival, Betfair is always one of the standout bookmakers.
Betfair becomes a go‑to destination whether you are a casual punter or a seasoned festival fan, thanks to its huge betting volumes, competitive odds, and a reputation for innovative promotions.
At Cheltenham, what makes Betfair especially popular is the sheer variety of offers available.
To give you extra value on the week’s biggest races, expect Bet & Get deals, money‑back specials, and enhanced odds boosts.
Betfair’s promotions will help you as a punter to stretch your stakes further during the most exciting racing week of the year, whether you're backing favourites in the Championship contests or hunting for each‑way value in the handicaps.
For Cheltenham, Betfair is currently offering a huge free bet offer, and if you are a new customer you can claim it with ease.
All you have to do is simply sign up and bet £10 to get £50 in free bets, which you can then use on Cheltenham betting throughout the week! To claim yours, follow these steps:
• CLICK HERE or sign up to Betfair via any of links you can see on this page
• Choose the 'Get Started’ option once you’re on the official Betfair site
• With all the required information, fill out the registration form
• Insert manually the Betfair promo code, ZSKAOL
• Using Pay by Bank, Debit card or Apple Pay, deposit a minimum of £10
• On the Cheltenham Festival, make a qualifying deposit at minimum odds of Evens (2.0) or bigger
• After the qualifying bet has settled, 5x £10 Sportsbook free bet builders, accumulators or multiples will be awarded
As a punter, during Cheltenham you can expect a packed schedule of racing‑specific offers designed to give extra value across all four days.
Typically, the standout deals include money‑back if your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd in selected races, a hugely popular safety net during the big Grade 1 contests.
Handicap bettors benefit from extra places, and these are often boosted during Cheltenham’s most competitive fields.
Well ahead of the meeting you’ll also find Non‑Runner No Bet available, and this gives you the freedom to back early fancies without the risk of losing your stake if they don’t line up.
Look out for festival price boosts on headline races throughout the week, plus acca insurance on selected multiples.
These are ideal if you are building bets across the stacked daily cards. These promotions are crafted specifically for Cheltenham, and they will help you as a punter to get more out of every race from the Supreme to the Gold Cup.
You can use free bets across the full Cheltenham Festival schedule in most cases.
These include headline contests like the Champion Hurdle, the Gold Cup, and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Typically, they’re also valid on the festival’s many handicaps, as long as your selection meets any minimum‑odds requirements set out in the offer terms.
Remember though that some promotions may only apply to certain events, especially price boosts or race‑specific specials.
You can usually use your free bets on whichever Cheltenham race you prefer, as long as the terms allow it.
Betfair is one of the top bookmakers for sports betting in general, as well as for Cheltenham.
If you’re looking for a new bookie to bet with over the festival, then Betfair is a perfect option.
They also have plenty of exciting offers from free bets to money back specials.
Pricing becomes a major differentiator at Cheltenham, as the festival week is one of the most competitive betting periods of the year.
In big‑field handicaps and the major Grade 1 races especially, the exchange and sportsbook combination often delivers strong value.
Typically, odds are sharp due to high liquidity and heavy betting activity throughout the festival.
During Cheltenham, extra-place offers are a staple and they’re especially useful in races like the Coral Cup, County Hurdle, and other notoriously competitive handicaps.
You should expect additional places on selected races across the week, giving you more each‑way security when tackling large fields.
Betfair’s mobile app is ideal for Cheltenham, as it is built for fast, in‑play action.
At Cheltenham, markets move quickly as the tapes go up.
Live betting is smooth, with rapid price updates and easy access to exchange markets, if you are one who likes to trade positions mid‑race.
During the Cheltenham Festival, payouts are generally quick, especially on major races where results are settled promptly.
Often, withdrawals are processed efficiently, which means that you can access your winnings without long delays during the busiest betting week of the year.
Pros
• Thanks to competitive odds and excellent sign up offer, strong value during Cheltenham
• Regular Festival‑specific offers such as money‑back specials and extra places
• Non‑Runner No Bet available early, ideal for ante‑post bettors
• On major races throughout the week, price boosts
• For in‑play and live trading during fast‑moving markets, a smooth app experience
Cons
• Some boosts and specials are limited to selected races
• For certain betting styles, exchange commission can reduce returns
• Minimum‑odds requirements may get included in free bet terms
It’s important to keep your betting enjoyable and under control, as Cheltenham is one of the most exciting weeks in the racing calendar.
Even when the action gets intense, you should set a budget before the festival begins and stick to it.
Only bet what you can comfortably afford, and avoid chasing losses and take breaks between races.
Tools like deposit limits, time‑outs, and reality checks can help you stay on track, if the excitement starts to feel overwhelming or you notice your betting becoming less fun.
If you ever feel you need to talk to someone about your gambling habits, support services are also available.
You should enjoy the Cheltenham Festival safely, while keeping the experience positive and balanced.
Yes, you will need to use the promo code ZSKAOL to qualify, with the current Cheltenham free bets offer.
Yes, as many promotions are aimed specifically at existing customers during Cheltenham Festival.
These include money‑back specials, extra places, boosts, and selected Bet & Get offers.
Even though eligibility can vary by race or market, they are usually available throughout the week.
Normally, winnings from free bets are withdrawable, but only the profit is returned and not the free-bet stake itself.
Any winnings from boosts or specials follow the terms of that specific promotion, but unless stated otherwise, they’re typically paid in cash.
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