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Cheltenham Betting – Definitive Guide (2023)

  • 11 mins read
  • In 2023, the Cheltenham Festival takes place during 14th to 17th March.
  • Here’s our detailed Cheltenham betting preview, and tips for every race in 2023.
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Cheltenham Tuesday betting

The Champion Hurdle is the feature race of Cheltenham Tuesday in 2023. The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle Chase, and Mares’ Hurdle are the other three Grade 1 races taking place on the opening day. 7 races are scheduled in total on the opening day of the 4 day Cheltenham Festival. In 2023, Cheltenham Tuesday (Day 1 of 4) falls on 14th March. Here’s our Cheltenham Tuesday betting preview and tips for 2023. We would also like to inform you about a betting tip scam that should be avoided.

Grade 1 Races

13:30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Our Tip: Tahmuras

  • (Hurdles, 2 miles 1/2 furlong)
  • Horses must be at least 4 years old.
  • Takes place on the Old Course.
  • Jockey Ruby Walsh has won this race a record 6 times since 2006 – including Klassical Dream in 2019. Each of his wins was on a different horse.
  • Trainer Willie Mullins has a record 7 victories, including Appreciate It in 2021.
  • 2022 saw Constitution Hill win, which was a 3rd win for jockey Nico de Boinville (and a 5th win for trainer Nicky Henderson).

14:10 Arkle Chase (Arkle Challenge Trophy)

Our Tip: Jonbon

  • (Fences, 2 miles)
  • Horses must be at least 5 years old.
  • This race is run on the Old Course.
  • The famous Ruby Walsh-Willie Mullins jockey-trainer combination had 2 consecutive wins in 2015 and 2016 with Un de Sceaux and Douvan, and they also won in 2018 with Footpad. Mullins was also the winning trainer in 2019, whilst Walsh was also the winning jockey in 2003.
  • Trainer Nicky Henderson has a record 7 victories, including Shishkin in 2021.

15:30 CHAMPION HURDLE – CHELTENHAM TUESDAY’S FEATURE RACE

Our Tip: Constitution Hill

  • (Hurdles, 2 Miles 1/2 Furlong)
  • This is the most well regarded National Hunt hurdles’ race of the year.
  • For horses at least 4 years old.
  • This race takes place on the Old Course.
  • Five horses tie the record for most wins in this race, each winning three times in consecutive years – Hatton’s Grace, Sir Ken, Persian War, See You Then, and Istabraq.
  • Owner J.P. McManus has been successful in the 4 years from 2017 to 2020 (adding to his previous 5 successes before that) – Buveur D’Air won in 2017 & 2018, Espoir d’Allen won in 2019, and Epatante won in 2020.
  • 2021 & 2022 both saw victories for female jockey Rachael Blackmore on Honeysuckle.

16:10 Mares’ Hurdle (David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle)

Our Tip: Honeysuckle

  • (Hurdles, 2 miles 4 furlongs)
  • Mares must be at least 4 years old.
  • Takes place on the Old Course.
  • Quevega won this race 6 times in a row between 2009 and 2014. Ruby Walsh was the jockey on all of those occasions – he also won this race in 2016 riding Vroum Vroum Mag, and again in 2018 riding Benie Des Dieux. Willie Mullins was the trainer for each of Ruby Walsh’s 8 wins, and he also had another win with Glens Melody in 2015. Quevega (6 wins), Walsh (8 wins), and Mullins (9 wins) hold the records for most successful horse, jockey, and trainer in this race.
  • 2022 saw Marie’s Rock win for Nico de Boinville (jockey) & Nicky Henderson (trainer).

Non Grade 1 Races

14:50 Ultima Handicap Chase (Festival Trophy Handicap Chase) – Fences

Our Tip: Into Overdrive

16:50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle) – Hurdles

Our Tip: Tekao

17:30 National Hunt Chase (National Hunt Challenge Cup) – Fences

Our Tip: Minella Crooner

Cheltenham Wednesday betting

The feature race of Cheltenham Wednesday 2023, is the Champion Chase. There are three other Grade 1 races taking place on the 2nd day of the 4 day Cheltenham Festival: the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, and the Champion Bumper. 7 races are scheduled in total on 15th March 2023. Here’s our Cheltenham Wednesday betting preview and tips for 2023:

Grade 1 Races

13:30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle)

Our Tip: Gaelic Warrior

  • (Hurdles, 2 miles 5 furlongs)
  • This race features novice hurdlers, aged at least four years.
  • Jockey Ruby Walsh has had 4 wins since 2008 in this race (Fiveforthree, Mikael d’Haguenet, Faugheen, and Yorkhill), making him the race’s leading jockey. Willie Mullins was the trainer on all these occasions, as well as in 2022 with Sir Gerhard, making him the race’s leading trainer.

14:10 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

Our Tip: The Real Whacker

  • (Fences, 3 miles 1/2 furlong)
  • You will see novice chasers in this race, aged at least 5 years old.
  • It is not unusual for winners of this race to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following year – e.g. Denman, Bobs Worth, and Lord Windermere.
  • Trainer Willie Mullins has won this race a record 5 times, including with Monkfish in 2021.

15:30 QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE – CHELTENHAM WEDNESDAY’S FEATURE RACE

Our Tip: Edwardstone

  • (Fences, 2 Miles)
  • This National Hunt steeplechase which is run on the Old Course, is the most important minimum distance allowed chase in the National Hunt year. It’s for horses at least 5 years old.
  • Only one horse has won at least three times – Badsworth Boy in 1983, 1984, and 1985.
  • Jockey Nico de Boinville and trainer Nicky Henderson enjoyed back to back wins in 2018 and 2019 with the horse Altior.
  • Politologue won in 2020 – a first win for jockey Harry Skelton in this event. Put The Kettle On won in 2021 – a first win for jockey Aidan Coleman in this event. Energumene won in 2022 for jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins.

17:30 Champion Bumper

Our Tip: Better Days Ahead

  • (National Hunt Flat Race, 2 miles 1/2 furlong)
  • For horses aged four to six years old.
  • The highest regarded bumper (i.e. flat race) in the National Hunt year.
  • Trainer Willie Mullins has had a record 12 wins in this race (including Ferny Hollow in 2020, Sir Gerhard in 2021, and Facile Vega in 2022), whilst jockeys Ruby Walsh and Patrick Mullins both share a joint record of 3 wins in this race.
  • The inexperienced horses who do well in this race, unsurprisingly often go on to great success in their future jumping career.

Non Grade 1 Races

14:50 Coral Cup

Our Tip: Captain Conby

16:10 Cross Country Chase

Our Tip: Galvin

16:50 Grand Annual (Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase)

Our Tip: Final Orders

Cheltenham Thursday betting

The Stayers’ Hurdle is the highlight of the penultimate day of racing at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. The Turners Novices’ Chase and the Ryanair Chase are the other two Grade 1 races of the day. In 2023, Cheltenham Thursday falls on 16th March, and 7 races will take place in total. Here’s our Cheltenham Thursday betting preview and tips for 2023:

Grade 1 Races

13:30 Turners Novices’ Chase (Golden Miller Novices’ Chase)

Our Tip: Balco Coastal

  • (Fences, 2 miles 4 furlongs)
  • Novice chasers, at least 5 years old, take part.
  • Ruby Walsh is the leading jockey in this race with 3 wins – Vantour in 2015, Black Hercules in 2016, and Yorkhill in 2017. Willie Mullins was the trainer of all these horses, as well as the 2012 winner Sir Des Champs – his 4 wins make him the leading trainer in this race.
  • 2019 saw Defi du Seuil win (jockeyed by Barry Geraghty), 2020 saw Samcro win (jockeyed by Davy Russell), 2021 saw Chantry House win (jockeyed by Nico de Boinville), and 2022 saw Bob Olinger win (jockeyed by Rachael Blackmore).

14:50 Ryanair Chase (Festival Trophy)

Our Tip: Shishkin

  • (Fences, 2 miles 5 furlongs)
  • Horses aged 5 years or older take part.
  • Ruby Walsh is the race’s leading jockey with 4 wins, including on the Willie Mullins trained pair Vantour in 2016 and Un De Sceaux in 2017. Willie Mullins is the leading trainer with 5 wins, as he was also successful in 2020 when Min won, and in both 2021 and 2022 when Allaho won.

15:30 STAYERS’ HURDLE – CHELTENHAM THURSDAY’S FEATURE RACE

Our Tip: Flooring Porter

  • (Hurdles, 3 Miles)
  • This is the leading National Hunt long-distance hurdles race of the season.
  • The race is held on the New Course.
  • Horses at least 4 years old can participate.
  • The race became known as the Stayers’ Hurdle from 1972, but renamed the World Hurdle between 2005 and 2016. However, since 2017 it has reverted back to the Stayers’ Hurdle.
  • Since 1972, only 1 horse has won at least four times – that’s Big Buck’s (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012). Infact, the jockey on each of those occasions was Ruby Walsh, who also won in 2017 on Nichols Canyon – his 5 wins make him the leading jockey since 1972.
  • Paisley Park won in 2019, and Lisnagar Oscar won in 2020.
  • Jockey Danny Mullins and trainer Gavin Cromwell enjoyed back to back wins with Flooring Porter – the winner in both 2021 and 2022.

Non Grade 1 Races

14:10 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

Our Tip: Thanksforthehelp

16:10 Plate Handicap Chase (Magners Plate Handicap Chase)

Our Tip: Datsalrightgino

16:50 Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Dawn Run Mares Novices’ Hurdle)

Our Tip: Luccia

17:30 Kim Muir Challenge Cup (Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup)

Our Tip: Royal Thief

Cheltenham Friday betting

The Cheltenham Gold Cup, one of the world’s most famous horse races, is the feature race of Cheltenham Friday. The Triumph Hurdle and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle are the other two grade 1 races. 7 races will take place on Cheltenham Friday – the final day of the current 4 day Cheltenham Festival calendar. In 2023, Cheltenham Friday falls on 17th March. Here’s our Cheltenham Friday betting preview and tips for 2023:

Grade 1 Races

13:30 Triumph Hurdle

Our Tip: Lossiemouth

  • (Hurdles, 2 miles 1 furlong)
  • For Novice hurdlers. This is the leading National Hunt race, for juveniles only.
  • Barry Geraghty’s 5 wins make him the race’s leading jockey. Nicky Henderson’s 7 wins make him the race’s leading trainer (including Pentland Hills in 2019).
  • 4 horses who have won the Triumph Hurdle, have later gone on to win the Champion Hurdle, including Katchit (2007 Triumph Hurdle winner, 2008 Champion Hurdle winner).
  • 2020 saw trainer Willie Mullins’ Burning Victory win, 2021 saw Quilixios (jockey: Rachael Blackmore) win, and 2022 saw Vauban win (jockey: Paul Townend).

14:50 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Spa Novices’ Hurdle)

Our Tip: Hiddenvalley Lake

  • (Hurdles, 3 miles)
  • Novice hurdlers, at least 5 years old (this is an increase of 1 year, from the 2023 renewal and onwards), take part.
  • Tony McCoy is the leading jockey in this race with 3 wins – Black Jack Ketchum in 2006, Wichita Lineman in 2007, and At Fishers Cross in 2013.
  • Willie Mullins is the leading trainer in this race with 3 wins, having been successful with Penhill in 2017, Monkfish in 2020, and The Nice Guy in 2022.

15:30 CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP – CHELTENHAM FRIDAY’S FEATURE RACE

Our Tip: A Plus Tard

  • (Fences, 3 Miles 2 1/2 Furlongs)
  • Currently, this famous National Hunt steeplechase takes place on Cheltenham’s New Course. 22 fences are jumped, over a 3 miles 2.5 furlong course. Horses 5 years and over can take part in this race.
Famous Cheltenham Gold Cup finishes
  • Golden Miller holds the record for the horse with the most Cheltenham Gold Cup wins with 5 victories in a row – the horse won in 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936. Infact, Golden Miller is the only horse to have won both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same year – achieved in 1934.
  • Only three other horses, apart from Golden Miller, have won at least three times (they all happen to have won in consecutive years too). Cottage Rake won in 1948, 1949, and 1950. Arkle won in 1964, 1965, and 1966. Infact Arkle’s jockey for all three wins, Pat Taaffe, also won on another horse (Fort Leney) in 1968 – his 4 wins make him the most successful winning jockey at the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Best Mate won in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
  • One of the most famous winning horses is Kauto Star – by winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in both 2007 and 2009, the horse became the first to regain the trophy. In the intervening year (2008) Kauto Star finished 2nd to stablemate Denman. Denman finished 2nd to Kauto Star in 2009.
Recent history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup
  • In 2021 trainer Henry De Bromhead won with Minella Indo (jockey: Jack Kennedy). In both 2019 and 2020 trainer Willie Mullins’ Al Boum Photo won, jockeyed by Paul Townend. In 2018 Native River won (jockey: Richard Johnson, trainer: Colin Tizzard). In 2017 Sizing John won (jockey: Robbie Power, trainer: Jessica Harrington). And, in 2016 Don Cossack was victorious (jockey: Bryan Cooper, trainer: Gordon Elliot).
  • 2022 saw the first female jockey ever to win this famous race – as Rachael Blackmore won on A Plus Tard (trainer: Henry De Bromhead). Rachael Blackmore finished 2nd on the same horse in 2021’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, and of course this historic victory was achieved less than a year after she became the first female jockey ever to win the Grand National (on Minella Times in 2021).

Non Grade 1 Races

14:10 County Hurdle (County Handicap Hurdle)

Our Tip: Hunters Yarn

16:10 Hunters’ Chase

Our Tip: Billaway

16:50 Mares’ Chase (Liberthine Mares’ Chase)

Our Tip: Impervious

17:30 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Our Tip: Cool Survivor

All tips above were published prior to the start of the first race of each day (and remain unchanged since then), but anything else in this article may have been updated afterwards.