Betting on the Cheltenham Festival: Cheltenham Day 1 Tips
The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of National Hunt racing, and Day 1 – Champion Day – is packed with some of the best jump racing in the world and plenty of exciting betting opportunities.
To help you make the most of the opening day of Cheltenham, here we give you our top tips for betting on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival.
Tips for Betting on the Cheltenham Festival
Whether you're a seasoned punter or a newcomer to the Festival, having a strategy is essential for betting on Cheltenham races. When picking runners, you should:
● Look at a horse’s recent form in previous National Hunt races this season, to see how competitively they’re performing.
● Look at a horse’s previous results at Cheltenham, as winners often have experience and past successes at the Festival.
● Pay attention to the jockey and trainer, to see if they’ve been successful in past Cheltenham races.
● Research how well horses perform on the ground conditions predicted for the race.
● Understand the bets you’re placing and make use of betting promotions, like free bets and price boosts.
● Take advantage of In-Play betting to react to last-minute developments.
As well as these general betting tips for the Festival, you should learn about each race you’re interested in betting on. Here’s what to look out for on Day 1, Champion Day, of the Cheltenham Festival:
Supreme Novices' Hurdle (13:20)
The opening race sets the tone for the Festival, with promising young hurdlers competing at a fast pace. The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 hurdle race open to horses aged 4 years and over, run over 2 miles and half a furlong, with 8 hurdles.
● Look out for horses with strong form this season at top tracks, such as Leopardstown and Ascot.
● Proven stamina is crucial, as a strong finish is often needed.
● Don’t overlook Irish-trained runners, who traditionally have a great record in this race.
Arkle Challenge Trophy (14:00)
Named in honour of Arkle, the Irish Thoroughbred and past Cheltenham great, the Arkle Challenge Trophy is a 1 mile, 7 furlongs, and 199 yards steeplechase with 13 fences open to novice chasers ages 5 years or older. When picking a winner, pay attention to:
● Runners with prior Cheltenham experience.
● Horses with consistent jumping form, as mistakes can be costly in this fast-paced race.
● Trainers with a record of past success at Cheltenham, like Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson, as they’ve traditionally produced top contenders.
Ultima Handicap Chase (14:50)
Also known as the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase, the Ultima Handicap is a 3-mile and 1 furlong steeplechase with 20 fences, open to runners 5 years and up. The Ultima Handicap Chase is notoriously unpredictable, making value bets attractive. Look for:
● Runners that carry less weight, as lighter horses often perform better over the 20-fence course.
● Runners that have performed well at Cheltenham in previous years.
● Each-way bets, as they can provide value in this large field and unpredictable race.
Mares’ Hurdle (15:20)
Also known as the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle or the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, the Mares’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 event run over 2 miles, 3 furlongs, and 200 yards, with 10 hurdles. It’s open to only mares aged 4 years and older, and is one of the newest races at Cheltenham, founded as recently as 2008. If you’re looking to bet on the Mares’ Hurdle, look for:
● Mares currently in excellent form, as the Mares’ Hurdle has traditionally been a very competitive race.
● Runners that are previous Grade 1 hurdle winners.
● Horses trained by Willie Mullins, as his mares have won 10 of the 17 previous Mares’ Hurdles.
Champion Hurdle (16:00)
Currently called the Unibet Champion Hurdle in full, the Champion Hurdle is the highlight race of the first day of Cheltenham. It’s a prestigious Grade 1 hurdle race run over a fast-paced 2 miles and half a furlong, with 8 hurdles, open to runners 4 years and older. The Champion Hurdle is widely regarded as the top hurdle race of the National Hunt season and is a fiercely competitive event. Look for:
● Runners that excel at 2-mile hurdle races, and that have raced competitively in past Cheltenham events.
● Horses that are currently in a run of top form – look at results from recent races like the Irish Champion Hurdle.
● The head-to-head records of key contenders.
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (16:40)
The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, known as the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for sponsorship reasons, is a Premier Handicap hurdle race, run over 2 miles and half a furlong, with 8 hurdles. The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle is traditionally a race for improving 4-year-olds, often featuring unexposed horses. When betting on the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, try to:
● Look for horses that have been running well in similar handicaps throughout the National Hunt season.
● Pick lighter horses, as they often have an edge in this competitive race.
The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle is unpredictable, so backing more than one horse, and placing each-way bets, is often a wise approach.
National Hunt Challenge Cup (17:20)
Also known as the National Hunt Chase, the National Hunt Challenge Cup is the longest race on the first day of Cheltenham at a demanding 3 miles, 5 furlongs, and 201 yards. It features 23 fences, and is a handicap race for novice chasers aged 5 years and over. The National Hunt Challenge Cup was traditionally for amateur jockeys only, but in recent years, professionals have also competed. To bet on the last race of day one at Cheltenham, look for:
● Runners with proven stamina, as the National Hunt Challenge Cup is a long-distance race.
● An experienced jockey, including amateur jockeys.
● Horses trained by those who target this race, like Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins.
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