The 2017 Cheltenham Festival starts on Tuesday 14th March, running over four compelling days of top quality horse racing, culminating in the fantastic Gold Cup! Plenty of superstar horses, jockeys, short odds bankers, long shots, free bets, betting offers, and highly competitive top quality horse racing! The Cheltenham Festival is the highlight of the jump racing season, and arguably the best horse racing event of the year.
Whether you’re a Cheltenham Festival stalwart or a complete newbie, Howtobet4free have summarised the key information that will help you get to grips with Cheltenham Festival 2017.
Dates
Tuesday 14th March 2017 - Friday 17th March 2017.
History
- The Cheltenham Festival originates back since 1860.
- Originally named the ‘Grand National Meeting.’
- Has been held at Prestbury Park, Cheltenham since 1911.
- The Cheltenham Gold Cup race was established in 1924.
- Until the 2005, the Cheltenham Festival was scheduled over three days rather than the present four day schedule.
Horses to Watch (Best Priced Odds)
- Thislecrack - 15/8 with Betfair Sportsbook to Win The Cheltenham Gold Cup – Bet Here!
- Vroum Vroum Mag – 13/8 with Betfair Sportsbook To Win At The Festival – Bet Here!
Jockey’s to Watch (Top Jockey - Best Priced Odds)
- Ruby Walsh – 6/5 with Coral – Bet Here!
- Barry Geraghty – 5/2 with Stan James – Bet Here!
- Bryan Cooper – 14/1 with BetVicor – Bet Here!
- Sam Twiston Davies – 16/1 with bet365 – Bet Here!
- Nico De Boinvile – 20/1 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
- Tom Scudamore – 33/1 with Betfred – Bet Here!
Trainers to Watch (Top Trainer - Best Priced Odds)
- Willie Mullins – 8/13 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
- Nicky Henderson – 4/1 with Betfred - Bet Here!
- Gordon Elliott – 6/1 with Boylesports – Bet Here!
- Paul Nicholls – 16/1 with BetVictor – Bet Here!
- Colin Tizzard – 25/1 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
Number of Races
28 races. 7 races each day of the 2017 Cheltenham Festival.
The Cheltenham Festival Racecourse
Grade 1 Races
- Champion Hurdle (Feature Race)
- Queen Mother Champion Chase (Feature Race)
- World Hurdle (Feature Race)
- Cheltenham Gold Cup (Feature Race)
- Champion Bumper
- Triumph Hurdle
- Ryanair Chase
- Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
- Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle
- Arkle Challenge Trophy
- RSA Chase
Cheltenham Festival 2017 Schedule
Tuesday 14th March – Champion Day
13:30pm – Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle (2m 1/2f) (Hurdle)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Altior - 4/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Ebazyian – 40/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Melon – 7/2 with Skybet – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Magna Cartor – 150/1 with Stan James – Bet Here!
14:10pm – Racing Post Arkle Chase (2m) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Douvan - 1/4 (Fav)
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Western Warhorse – 33/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Altior – 1/3 with Betfred – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Winner Massagot – 100/1 with bet365 – Bet Here!
14:50pm – The Ultima Handicap Chase (3m 1f) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Un Temps Pour Tout - 11/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Joes Edge – 50/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Singlefarmpayment – 12/1 with William Hill – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Wakanda – 50/1 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
15:30pm – The Stan James Champion Hurdle (2m 1/2f) (Hurdle) – Feature Race
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Annie Power – 5/2 (Fav)
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Punjabi – 22/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Buveaur Dair – 7/2 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Diakali – 100/1 with Betfred – Bet Here!
16:10pm – OLBG Mares’ Hurdle (2m 4f) (Hurdle)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Vroom Vroom Mag – 4/6 (Fav)
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Whiteoak – 20/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Apples Jade – 7/4 with Stan James – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Hidden Identity – 150/1 with BetVictor – Bet Here!
16:50pm – JT McNamara National Hunt Chase (4m) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Minella Rocco – 8/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Another Run – 40/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: A Genie In Abottle – 6/1 with Coral – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Jack In A Box – 100/1 with bet365 – Bet Here!
17:30pm – The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase (2m 4+1/2f) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Ballyalton – 12/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Irish Cavalier – 66/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Foxtail Hill – 14/1 with Stan James – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Viens Chercher – 40/1 with Stan James – Bet Here!
Wednesday 15th March – Ladies Day
13:30pm – Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (2m 5f) (Hurdle)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Yorkhill – 3/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Massini’s Maguire – 20/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Finians Oscar – 9/2 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Ballymountain Boy – 125/1 with Coral – Bet Here!
14:10pm – RSA Chase (3m 1/2f) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Blaklion – 8/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Windermere – 20/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Might Bite – 7/2 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Theos Charm – 100/1 with bet365 – Bet Here!
14:50pm – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f) (Hurdle)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Diamond King – 12/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Idole First – 33/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Sutton Place – 10/1 with William Hill – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: The Romford Pele – 40/1 with bet365 – Bet Here!
15:30pm – Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (2m) (Chase) – Feature Race
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Sprinter Sacre – 5/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Newmill – 16/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Douvan – 1/3 with Betfred – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: The Game Changer – 100/1 with Boylesports – Bet Here!
16:10pm – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (3m 6f) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Any Currency – 11/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): A New Story – 25/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Cantlow – 11/4 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Johnny Og – 66/1 with Stan James – Bet Here!
16:50pm – Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2m 1/2f) (Hurdle)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Diego Du Charmil – 13/2
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Une Artiste – 40/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Duca De Thaix – 8/1 with bet365 – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Milrow – 66/1 with Stan James – Bet Here!
17:30pm – Wetherbys Champion Bumper (2m 1/2f) (Bumper)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Ballyandy – 5/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Cue Card – 40/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Carter McKay – 10/3 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Battle Of Ideas – 80/1 with Ladbrokes – Bet Here!
Thursday 16th March – St Patrick’s Thursday
13:30pm – JLT Noices’ Chase (2m 4f) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Black Hercules – 4/1 (Jt Fav)
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Benefficient – 14/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Yorkhill – 7/4 with Stan James – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Sizing Tennessee – 100/1 with Coral – Bet Here!
14:10pm – Pertemps Network Final (3m) (Hurdle)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Mall Dini – 14/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Kadoun – 50/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Tobefair – 6/1 with bet365 – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Luccombe Dawn – 66/1 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
14:50pm – Ryanair Chase (2m 5f) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Vautour – Evens (Fav)
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Uxizandre – 16/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Un De Sceaux – 7/2 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Artic Skipper – 200/1 with William Hill – Bet Here!
15:30pm – The Sun Bets Stayers’s Hurdle (3m) (Hurdle) – Feature Race
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Thistlecrack – Evens (Fav)
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Cole Harden – 14/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Unowhatimeanharry – 5/4 with SkyBet – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Anteros – 200/1 with BetVictor – Bet Here!
16:10pm – Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (2m 5f) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Empire of Dirt – 16/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Carrickboy – 50/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Bouvreuil – 16/1 with bet365 – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Marchilhac – 50/1 with Paddypower – Bet Here!
16:50pm – The Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (2m 1f) (Hurdle)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Limini – 8/11 (Fav)
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Airlier Beach – 5/2 with Boylesports – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Canelie – 40/1 with SkyBet – Bet Here!
17:30pm – The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase (3m 2f) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Cause of Causes – 9/2
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): You’re Special – 33/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Mall Dini – 12/1 with BetVictor – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Pearl Swan – 33/1 with Stan James – Bet Here!
Friday 17th March – Gold Cup Day
13:30pm – JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m 1f) (Hurdle)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Ivanovich Gorbatov – 9/2 (Fav)
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Countrywide Flame – 33/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Defi Du Seuil – 3/1 with William Hill – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Wynford – 250/1 with Stan James – Bet Here!
14:10pm – Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f) (Hurdle)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Superb Story – 8/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Silver Jaro – 50/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Sutton Place – 8/1 with bet365 – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Chesterfield – 50/1 with SkyBet – Bet Here!
14:50pm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3m) (Hurdle)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Unowhattimeanharry – 11/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Berties Dream – 33/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Death Duty – 5/2 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Belmont Park – 500/1 with Stan James – Bet Here!
15:30pm – Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup (3m 2+1/2f) (Chase) – Feature Race
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Don Cossack – 9/4 (Fav)
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Lord Windermere – 20/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Thistlecrack – 15/8 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Perfect Candidate – 250/1 with Sportingbet – Bet Here!
16:10pm – St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase (3m 2+1/2f) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: On The Fringe – 13/8 (Fav)
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Zemsky – 33/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: On The Fringe – 6/4 with Betfred – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: One Conemara – 50/1 with SkyBet – Bet Here!
16:50pm – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m 4+1/2f) (Hurdle)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Ibis Du Rheu – 14/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Andytown – 25/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Chacun Pour Soi – 10/1 with bet365 – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Spiritofthegames – 33/1 with BetVictor – Bet Here!
17:30pm – The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (2m 1/2f) (Chase)
Cheltenham 2016 Winner: Solar Impulse – 28/1
Longest Odds Winner (since 2005): Oiseau De Nuit – 40/1
Cheltenham 2017 Favourite: Dandridge – 12/1 with Betfair Sportsbook – Bet Here!
Cheltenham 2017 Longest Odds Selection: Solar Impulse – 40/1 with bet365 – Bet Here!
What Bookmakers/Betting Accounts should I use for Cheltenham Festival 2017?
The Cheltenham Festival is without doubt the best time of the year to open a betting account, and take advantage of some fantastic new and existing betting offers, which are much more generous than at other times of year. By opening multiple betting accounts with a variety of bookmakers it ensures you can claim the best odds and make use of all the fantastic betting offers.
Howtobet4free will be keeping you updated on the latest and best Cheltenham betting offers before and during the 2017 Cheltenham Festival. Be sure to check out our betting previews page, dedicated Cheltenham Festival page and follow us on twitter!
Make sure you check out our recommended and trusted bookmaker free bet offers here, and enjoy the 2017 Cheltenham Festival!
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Click to ClaimFrancois is one of Howtobet4free’s co-founders and has written many of Howtobet4free’s popular Betting Guides. Francois also helps run the @howtobet4free_ Twitter account
