How To Bet On The Cheltenham Festival (A Flutter Guide)

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1. Look At The Form – Briefly

This may seem a little counterintuitive for those learning how to bet on the Cheltenham Festival for fun. It would appear more the preserve of the more serious gambler. However, a quick glance at the form can make all the difference. Just check which horse has won most over the distance of the day. Job’s done. Won’t take you long and is a useful shield against accusations you’re not taking it seriously. A frequent crime laid at the doors of those who don’t gamble regularly.

 2. Pick The Big Races

Keep it simple. There’s a whole smorgasbord of races but you don’t need to flutter on them all. One of the keys to knowing how to bet on the Cheltenham Festival is to know which are the big races and which aren’t. The Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayer’ Hurdle and, of course, the Cheltenham Gold Cup itself are all good flutter fodder. Indeed a bet on Santini or Al Boum Photo at Bet365 or other online sportsbook sites in the UK is probably a necessity.

3. Check The Prices

This is vital to knowing how to bet on the Cheltenham Festival. Under no circumstances simply toss your money on the favorite. Not only does this miss the point of a fun flutter but plays into the bookies’ hands. Sure, if the favorite is a runaway dead cert, fine, but in most races look a little further down the odds. This is especially true over the jumps as just about anything can happen. A favorite today can be being humanely put down tomorrow. So, look at all the options on offer.

Cheltenham Gold Cup

• Any Other Horse – 33/1+
• Frodon – 25/1
• Chriss Dream – 25/1
• Bristol De Mai – 25/1
• Monalee – 25/1
• Presenting Percy – 11/1
• Kemboy – 7/1
• Clan Des Obeaux – 7/1
• Lostintranslation – 6/1
• Delta Work – 9/2
• Santini – 7/2
• Al Boum Photo – 7/2

4. Eye The Names

There is literally no rhyme nor reason to the names some of these poor horses are saddled with. However, seeing which of the bizarre choices leaps out at you, is a traditional flutter tactic. It is good a way as any of discovering how to bet on the Cheltenham Festival. Some of the names may have personal resonance, allusions to times gone by, or just be a silly pun you like. Do not ignore these instincts as you head on over to Bet365, one of the best online betting sites in the UK.

5. Have A Shufty At The Silks

Whilst this will seem ridiculous to the more serious gamblers flutter fans should never ignore the colours. If you’ve an inclination for or against a particular combination of hues, this is the time to listen to it. Learning how to bet on the Cheltenham Festival is all about experimentation. What the jockeys are wearing every bit as salient to the occasional gambler as their form. Why would it not be? So, pick a winner by the cut of their silks. It’s no more silly than picking by the names alone.

6. Watch For Omens

Those who more regularly take advantage of UK gambling laws will dismiss this too. However, while they’re wrapped up in stats and form, flutter fans will need something else. Something to point to the horse that will win them the fortune they desire. These omens can come in many forms and you can easily miss them. So keep your eyes open. From the flight of birds in the sky to the shadows of the moon learning to read these signs is vital to knowing how to bet on the Cheltenham Festival.

7. Don’t Go Each Way

It is a bit of a waste to go each way on a wager when it is so infrequent an occurrence. Flutter fans do not throw their money away lightly. However, in learning how to bet on the Cheltenham Festival one has to succumb to the thrill. There is nothing quite like an on-the-nose wager. So when looking at the Cheltenham Gold Cup odds or placing a bet on the Stayer’s Hurdle, just remember, the risk is the reward. The participation nearly as much fun as winning actually is.

We take a look at how to bet on the Cheltenham Festival if you just want a bit of a flutter.

You can see more about these odds here at Bet365 Sportsbook.