1:30 Cheltenham ( Friday, 15th March) Free Horse Racing Tips

1.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle

The top three in the market look a cut above the rest in this. Our Conor represents Ireland and has a tall reputation. He beat a couple of good horses at Fairyhouse in a grade 3 and then beat Diakali in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown. That sets the standard. Far West has got valuable course winning form but it doesn't look quite up to the level of Our Conor. Rolling Star beat the smart Irish Saint last time who followed up in a Grade 2 at Kempton. Cases can be made for all three but Our Conor may be a bit special.

1 pt win Our Conor 4/1 1st

What a great performance from Our Conor. Cruised to the lead. I actually used my William Hill C50 match bet on this tip and won £200. So it proves what these free bets are worth. Excellent tip from Sean. Brilliant.   

2.05 Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle

Cotton Mill is an easy selection for me in this. Raised five pounds for his second to My Tent or Yours in the Betfair Hurdle he should have the class to see this through. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't put in a bold show.

2 pts win Cotton Mill 7/1 Unp

Bryan Cooper is in flying form. Brilliant to see the young Irish jockey making a name for himself. Quite amazing. 

Visit our friend's website Bet-N-Tip  

2.40 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

At Fishers Cross has valuable course winning form beating the very useful The New One and Coneygree last time. That sets the standard and his main opponent in Ballycasey who's untried at this slightly longer trip. At Fishers Cross has the form in the bag and can outstay them all up the hill.

2 pts win At Fishers Cross 9/2 1st

Great win for McCoy, traveled well, and At Fisher's Cross ran off up the hill. Great tip from Sean Kelsey who gave this horse to me earlier in the week at 9/2. The highs and lows of racing with  J T McNamara injured and thoughts of Campbell Gillies.  Poignant words from McCoy.  

3.20 Cheltenham Gold Cup

A fascinating renewal of the Gold Cup. Bobs Worth probably sets the standard on his win in the Hennessey. Not seen since then he goes well when fresh and is unbeaten in four runs at the track. That counts for a lot but one thing the pundits appear to have missed is that he's never run on soft ground let alone won on it. This may be a coincidence of course but it does prevent me backing him with confidence if it is still really soft on Friday. Sir Des Champs has another great record at the track (unbeaten in two) but has beaten twice this year. One of my favourite horses, I've never really thought of him as being quite good enough to win a Gold Cup. Long Run will attempt to win back his crown. He's stepped up on his form last season and showed great resolve in getting up to win the King George at Kempton. Soundly beaten by Silviniaco Conti at Haydock I'd be surprised if he reverses that form. Silviniaco Conti is an improving horse and won easily last time at Newbury. He's never won at Cheltenham but was placed in a (very good) hurdles race and I don't have any concerns that he won't act on the track. 

2 pts win Silviniaco Conti 9/2 Fell

Silviniaco Conti was going well when falling three out. Great finish from the little terrier Bobs Worth. A superb winner. 

4.00 Foxhunter Chase

A hunter chase with amateur riders. No bet for me.

Couple of tips from our Twitter friends:

Tricky Trickster (themastarata)
Salsify (Martindawn)

Salsify wins but what cruel luck for Oscar Delta and Jane Mangan. How sad for the youngster to be denied what looked to be a winning ride. 

4.40 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap

Too many runners still entered and very difficult however I have backed Barbatos in case he's goes here instead of the Coral Cup.

No bet.

5.15 Grand Annual Chase

A two mile handicap chase that Nicky Henderson will be keen to win. If the ground dries out a bit by Friday I'd be interested in French Opera at around 25/1. He's seems to have held his form and has been dropped a few pounds by the handicapper. He has a good record at the track and looks a little overpriced.

1 pt ew French Opera 25/1. Unp

I would like to thank our guest blogger, Sean Kelsey, for his great posts. Much appreciated.

1:30 Cheltenham (Thursday, 14th March) Free Horse Racing Tips

1.30 Jewson Novices Chase

This race revolves around Dynaste who has looked very impressive on his three chase starts. He'll be a banker of the meeting for many and it's hard to find much strength in depth in the opposition. Captain Conan hasn't impressed me at all and his neck beating of Third Intention last time does not look good enough to win this. Module is a very short price for what he's achieved. Aupcharlie has a more realistic chance but a top price 5/1 doesn't make him back-able each-way. Argocat won a Grade 2 at Limerick last time easily where Mikael D'Haguenet fell; at the time Argocat was going well and is taken to have beaten the fallen horse anyway. This form gives Argocat a realistic each-way chance and the price seems generous.

1 pt ew Argocat 14/1 Unp

Great win from Tony Martin's horse, beating the favourite, with a superb effort from the third at 100/1.  

2.05 Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle)

Ultra competitive; American Trilogy needs four horses to come out to get in the race. Off a mark of 136 the handicapper has definitely given him a chance. Got a good report from Dan Skelton on The Morning Line on Saturday - that wouldn't normally influence me but I'd already got this horse identified as being of interest so it tipped the balance. He acts on the track and should appreciate a big field and fast pace. Soft ground is probably my only concern although he has won on it before.

1 pt ew American Trilogy 20/1 Unp

Another big price winner ''and tribute to Campbell Gillies'' from Holywell's jockey Richie McLernon, trained by Jonjo O'Neill.    

2.40 Ryanair Chase

This is the race for Cue Card to prove he's top class. Unfortunately he has a tendency to hit a couple of fences in some of his races. First Lieutenant is favourite but we'll see whether the drop in trip will suit - I'd prefer him to go for the Gold Cup. Albertas Run won't get his good ground and Champion Court although talented has a knack of coming second instead of winning. Riverside Theatre did not run well at Kempton and didn't look at home on track last year, despite winning. Menorah looks held on form with Cue Card. Fingers crossed Cue Card jumps well.

1 pt win Cue Card 7/2 1st


Great win from Cue Card and Sean Kelsey fights back with a fantastic selection.   

3.20 Ladbrokes World Hurdle

The World Hurdle has been thrown wide open by the injury to Big Bucks but there is little strength in depth and I can't see beyond the first two in the betting. Reve de Sivola just shades it for me. I was really impressed with his last run where he kept pulling out a bit more and wouldn't let Oscar Whisky pass. Oscar Whisky isn't definitely better over two and a half miles and I'm not sure the slightly less soft ground will make a difference. It could be a close one though. The Irish challenge doesn't look up to it tome in this race.

2 pts win Reve de Sivola 4/1 4th

Note: William Hill best priced Solwhit 10/1 

Solwhit improved for the step up in distance to win well, while Celestial Halo (40/1) ran a cracker in second. Reve De Sivola was always up with the pace but just not quite good enough.  

4.00 Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase

I selected Kapga de Cerisy for a race earlier in the week but he's a non-runner in that and may come here instead. He's worth a chance based on his sound beating of Fago last time. Ballynagour will be all the rage here but a rise of 20 pounds in the handicap is significant and despite the good record of favourites in this race is a little short for me at 4/1.

1 pt ew Kapga de Cerisy 14/1 Unp

4.40 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase

An amateur jockeys handicap chase. Difficult to have a strong opinion in this but On Trend has the right sort of profile for this, winning a race at Sandown in early February on heavy ground over 3 miles.

1/2 pt ew On Trend 20/1 PU

Note: William Hill best priced Deal Done 40/1 


Thanks to Sean Kelsey for his superb guest posts

1:30 Cheltenham (Wednesday, 13th March) Free Horse Racing Tips

1.30 National Hunt Chase

This is a 4 mile chase for amateur riders. I've already backed Rose of the Moon at 40/1 and there's been a little bit of money for him and he's a best price 33/1 now. For the latest information check out the Racing Post for their Cheltenham betting. The last two winners of this race have been the official top rated. This years top rated is Back In Focus. He's unbeaten in four chase starts, has won over 3 miles and acts on the ground. The only question mark is his ability to stay the extra mile.

1 pt win Back In Focus 4/1 1st

Great performance from Back In Focus, who rallied to steal the race up the Cheltenham hill. 

2.05 – Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle

Pont Alexandre is the favourite for this and is the Irish Banker of the week. It's easy to see why. He's a relentless galloper and looks every inch a chaser in the making. On this side of the Irish Sea we have the equally hyped The New One who just got touched off last time at Cheltenham over a slightly longer trip when the jockey probably made his move too soon. Unfortunately the Twiston-Davies yard has had a few horses go sick and that's enough to put me off backing this at around 4/1. Tarquin Du Seuil is another to consider, only beaten by My Tent or Yours over a shorter trip, he looks sure to be competitive. Chatterbox cannot be discounted either; although this will be his first time over this longer trip, his sires progeny have a decent strike rate at this trip. Rule The World is a tentative selection in what is a really competitive race. He won a grade 2 at Naas in January easily beating Minsk and Champagne Fever. His only narrow defeat has come over a longer 3 mile trip and the 2 miles 5 furlongs should be ideal. At 9/1 he should go well.

Update: William Hill offer 2/1 Pont Alexandre (now 11/8) 

1pt win Rule The World 9/1 2nd

Great selection from Sean Kelsey at big odds (backed to 11/2) and a gallant 2nd. 

2.40 RSA Chase

Boston Bob seems a poor favourite to me. They all finished in a heap at Leopardstown last time and it's difficult to deduce who would finish in front when the first, third and fourth in that race line up again in this. The home challenge of Unioniste and Hadrians Approach look closely matched too.

No bet

Good word for Hadrian's Approach (6/1) from our Twitter friend mrossi11 3rd

Update: William Hill offer 5/1 Boston Bob (until further notice) (Fell when outstanding chance)

3.20 Queen Mother Champion Chase

Sprinter Sacre is probably the best National Hunt horse in training. I can't recommend a bet at 1/4 though. Corals are going evens to a maximum of £20 win on Sprinter Sacre. Now that is a good bet for the Champion Chase. Enjoy the race as they don't come along like this very often.

1 pt win Sprinter Sacre Evens (with Coral) 1st

Pure class. Exceptional talent. 

4.00 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

I've backed Barbatos for the Martin Pipe race on Friday assuming he was more likely to get in there. He needs nine above him in the handicap to come out to get in this race. Currently he's a best priced 25/1 and is worth backing in this too.

1 pt ew Barbatos 25/1 7th

A fair performance, running on, but never quite catching the leaders 

4.40 – Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

This is a really tricky race. Paul Nicholls has quite a few entered in this and it's likely one of them will go very close. I'll be leaving it until the day to have a good look at this race.

No bet.

5.15 Weatherbys Champion Bumper

I haven't had a winner in this since Pizarro 11 years ago. I've now learnt my lesson.

No bet

I would like to thank Sean Kelsey for his superb analysis, the author of this post. 

4:00 Cheltenham (Tuesday, 12th March) Free Horse Racing Tips

4.00 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase

This looks one of the more difficult races of the Cheltenham Festival 2013. Arabella Boy should go well on the course and in the ground but may not stay the full 3m 7f. Outlaw Pete won last Decembers race but doesn't look well handicapped. Bostons Angel was second that day but has since disappointed at Punchestown behind Arabella Boy. The fifteen year old, A New Story, has been given a chance by the handicapper and may outrun his odds. Out of the principals in the betting Uncle Junior does appear the best value at around 8/1 but is carrying a lot of weight. However the best handicapped horse in the race looks like Leac An Scail. He ran well to finish third to Outlaw Pete in December on what was his first outing over the cross country course. Horses usually improve on their first outing and if he runs as well as last time he has a good each-way chance.

Leac An Scail 1 pt ew - 25/1

4.40 OLBG Mares Hurdle

Quevega has won this the last four years. This year there's some credible opposition in Une Artiste. Une Artiste is an improving horse. She won the Fred Winter last year and has won a couple of Class 1 mares only hurdles this season beating a few of the opposition in this and not being inconvenienced by a step up in trip. She's a few pounds to find on the ratings but I think she has the scope to do so. She's a battler and I'm certain she'll finish in the places. Quevega looked as good as ever at Punchestown last April and is difficult to oppose. I've backed Une Artiste in the 'without Quevega' market at 11/4 - unfortunately that's all gone now and she's 2/1 which is probably a short enough price. Ladbrokes has a limited offer of a maximum of £25 win on Quevega at 4/5.

1 pt win Quevega 4/5 (with Ladbrokes) 1st

Brilliant performance after looking to be in problem..ran on with real purpose to prove she is exceptional

5.15 Pulteney Land Investments Novices Handicap Chase

Carlito Brigante appears to have been given a very big chance by the handicapper. Over hurdles he won the Coral Cup round here off 142 and was rated 160 at his peak. Over fences he won a novice chase round here and was given a mark of 147. Since then he run a couple of races and been beaten by the likes of Dynaste and Unioniste. He's now on a mark of 137 and his shrewd trainer has given him a recent spin on the all weather to protect his handicap mark. The only slight negative is that he'd probably prefer better going. He's still available at 8/1 and I can see that shortening up nearer the off.

2 pts ew Carlito Brigante 8/1 Unp

Being baldly hampered put lay to any chance...

I would like to thank Sean Kelsey for his superb analysis, the author of this post. 

Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle Preview

The most prestigious hurdling event in the British National Hunt calendar, the Champion Hurdle, is the traditional highlight on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. This year’s renewal, due off at 3.20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, looks as competitive as ever, with the last three winners, Rock On Ruby, Hurricane Fly and Binocular, once again in opposition. 

Willie Mullins’ 9-year-old Hurricane Fly (7/4) heads the betting on the strength of four Grade 1 wins out of four since finishing 5½ lengths third to Rock On Ruby in last year’s Champion Hurdle. He’s started at long odds-on and faced a total of just 17 opponents in those four races, but Mr. Mullins was delighted by his 5-length win in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January. He said afterwards, “He is fine and has come out of his race very well and is back in the form he was in two years ago [when he won the Champion Hurdle].”  

Paul Nicholls’ 6-year-old Zarkandar (5/1) won the Triumph Hurdle in 2011 and finished fifth, beaten 6¾ lengths, in the Champion Hurdle last year. He subsequently fell in the Aintree Hurdle, but has been in decent form this season, completing a hat-trick of Grade 2 wins in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton, the International Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Kingwell Hurdle, again at Wincanton. Strictly on the form book, he has something to find with Rock On Ruby, Hurricane Fly and Binocular but, unlike Rocky On Ruby and Binocular, he’s won on heavy going, so may have an advantage if the Champion Hurdle is run in testing conditions.

Harry Fry’s 8-year-old Rock On Ruby (6/1) has done little wrong since winning last year’s Champion Hurdle. He subsequently finished third, beaten 5¼ lengths, behind Oscar Whisky (ante post favourite for this year’s World Hurdle) in the Aintree Hurdle, over 2 miles 4 furlongs, but has run two perfectly adequate preparation races this season. He finished third, beaten 8 lengths, behind Zarkandar, to whom he was conceding 4lb, in the International Hurdle and showed the benefit of that run when comfortably beating Countrywide Flame by 3 lengths in the 32Red Hurdle at Doncaster in early February. That race was marred by a fatal injury to Darlan, but Harry Fry is reportedly delighted with the way Rock On Ruby has come out of the race. He said, “…we’re very confident and if it continues to dry we’ll be growing more confident by the day.”

Although he clearly has something to find with Rock On Ruby, if the Doncaster form is taken at face value, the North Yorkshire trainer has been equally bullish about the chances of his 5-year-old Countrywide Flame (16/1) in recent weeks. Prior to the 32Red Hurdle, Mr. Quinn said, “I think he’ll run a good race on Monday, but it’s not Cheltenham and that’s what we’re really looking forward to. We know he loves Cheltenham, he showed that in the Triumph Hurdle last year and as I was saying to someone the other day, if he hadn’t kicked the last hurdle out of the ground he’d have won the Triumph Hurdle by six lengths.”

The 2013 Cheltenham Festival: Get Your Bets On

With every day the 2013 Cheltenham Festival is drawing closer. The anticipation. Excitement of a waiting crowd. Trainers, owners, jockeys at the ready. Focused. Inspired. Dreams nurtured in winter months become a racing certainly. 

Past winners striving to write their names in equine history, battle-hardened campaigners primed to settle old scores, while dark horses tantalize the mind...

Of one thing we can be sure - this sport of kings will find no more loyal a servant than race fans across the country who await the pulsating action of the 2013 Cheltenham Festival. 

Let the action begin:


Day 1 (12th March)

Champion Hurdle

The highlight on the opening day. This most prestigious hurdle race in the National Hunt calendar is for horses aged four years and older. It is run on the old course over 2m 110 yard, with eight hurdles to jump. It has been won by a number of exceptional horses: Dawn Run (1984), See You Then (1985 - 87) & Istabraq (1998 - 2000). Who will win this year?

Hurricane Fly? Rock On Ruby? Binocular...


Day 2  (13th March)

Queen Mother Champion Chase 

This Grade  1 National Hunt chase over 2 miles is open to horses aged five years and older and the feature event of the second day of the Festival. Named in the year of the Queen Mother's 80th birthday (1980) it recognised her support to jump racing.

The most successful horse to have won this race is Badsworth Boy (1983 - 1985). 

But what are we to make of this year's contest?

Sprinter Sacre, trained by Nicky Henderson, is presently 2/5f after winning his last seven races. He's a true Cheltenham favourite. Can he beat stablemates Simonsig or last year's winner Finian's Rainbow? Irish raider Sizing Europe proved victorious in 2011 while others take their chance...


Whether hunting for ante-post value or betting on the day visit Betting Online At The 2013 Cheltenham Festival With William Hill . Don't forget to join now and get a £25 Free Bet.  


Day 3 (14th March)

World Hurdle       

This Grade 1 National Hunt race is open for horses aged four years or older and run over 3 miles with twelve hurdles to jump. This is the leading long-distance hurdle event in the calendar & feature of day three at the Cheltenham Festival. It was formerly known as the Stayers' Hurdle. In previous contests this race has been about one horse - Big Bucks who won this contest on no fewer than four occasions (2009 - 2012). Unfortunately, he will not contest this year's event after suffering an injury in December. 

However, in what looks a competitive race we see a great line up. Leading hopes include Oscar Whisky, Quevega, Reve De Sivola, Monksland & Tidal Bay.


Day 4 (15th March)

Cheltenham Gold Cup    

This Grade 1 National Hunt horse race is run over 3 miles 2 1/2f with 22 fences to be jumped. A steeplechase open to horses five years or older it is the most prestigious of all National Hunt races. This Blue Riband event has a roll of honour featuring household names such as Arkle, Best Mate, Golden Miller, Kauto Star & Mill House. It is the most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain. 

The Cheltenham Gold Cup was first run in 1924 by a horse called Red Splash. In the 1930s Golden Miller won five consecutive races and still proves the most successful horse in the race's history. Other multiple winners include Cottage Rake, trained by Vincent O'Brien, from 1948- 1950. In the 1960s Arkle dominated this event over the new course to win three times. He still remains shortest-priced winner at odds of 1/10f.  

The most remarkable feat for any trainer came in 1983 when Michael Dickinson had the first five horses home. 

Dawn Run and legendary grey Desert Orchid are among my all-time favourites. 

Best Mate, trained by Henrieta Knight, was the last horse to win three consecutive races (2002 - 2004). While in recent years Kuato Star captured the heart of a nation being the only horse to regain the Gold Cup in 2009. 

What a race we have in store for this 2013 Gold Cup.

Presently, Bobs Worth heads the betting, trained by Nicky Henderson. Sir Des Champs is on a recovery mission for Willie Mullins after recently losing his unbeaten record. While Long Run tries to make this a memorable day after tasting victory in 2011. 

A truly spectacular event.

For the latest prices visit Betting Online At The 2013 Cheltenham Festival With William Hill.           

   

    

Who will write their name into racing history in 2013?

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a rare opportunity for a racehorse to go down in history as one of the greatest, with many incredible stories over the years. Best Mate, Kauto Star, Denman and Arkle are just some of the iconic winners of this great race, with a number of contenders expected to challenge for a place on the roll of honour.

The full list of entries for the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup are as follows:

• Bobs Worth
• Bog Warrior
• Bold Sir Brian
• Calgary Bay Cape Tribulation 
• Captain Chris
• Champion Court
• China Rock
• Finian's Rainbow
• First Lieutenant
• Flemenstar
• Grands Crus
• Hey Big Spender
• Hunt Ball
• Imperial Commander
• Jessies Dream
• Joncol
• Junior
• Katenko
• Kauto Stone
• Knockara Beau
• Long Run
• Mail De Bievre
• Monbeg Dude
• Prince De Beauchene
• Quel Esprit
• Quito De La Roque
• Riverside Theatre
• Roberto Goldback
• Silviniaco Conti
• Sir Des Champs
• Sizing Europe
• Sunnyhillboy
• Teaforthree
• The Giant Bolster
• Tidal Bay
• Wayward Prince
• Weapon's Amnesty
• What A Friend
• Wyck Hill

While the final field has still to be decided, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will be one of the horses on the above list. The early favourites to triumph are Bobs Worth (10/3), Sir Des Champs (5/1), Long Run (7/1) and Silviniaco Conti (15/2). These horses are gathering significant early support, boosted by the unfortunate injury to Al Ferof who had previously been one of the favourites for the Cheltenham Gold Cup race.

While these are the horses thought to be most likely to succeed, Cheltenham Festival history has many examples where the underdog has triumphed and punters lucky enough to be on a long shot have had cause to celebrate long into the night. With this in mind, former Gold Cup Winner Imperial Commander is available at 66/1 with a number of bookmakers and could be worth a small wager in the hope of something special.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Day

The Gold Cup is the feature race of Cheltenham Gold Cup Day, the final day of the festival and always an extremely special occasion. The iconic race is the highlight of the day, but there are also six other races for fans to enjoy and place their wagers on.

The full schedule for Cheltenham Gold Cup Day is as follows:

Scheduled time	Race name
13:30	Triumph Hurdle
14:05	County Hurdle
14:40	Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
15:20	Cheltenham Gold Cup
16:00	Foxhunter Challenge Cup
16:40	Conditional Jockey's Hurdle
17:15	Grand Annual Chase

The atmosphere on Gold Cup day is unlike anything else in the sport, and there is sure to be plenty of support for the contenders in all of the races on offer. There is always a huge contingent of Irish betting fans present throughout the festival, and especially on Gold Cup Day itself. Special bets are available on the winner of the Gold Cup to be Irish trained, currently available at a best price of 2/1, although there will certainly be more racing specials revealed once the race itself draws closer and the festival gets underway.
The countdown to Cheltenham 2013 is well and truly underway, with just a few short months between punters and the most exciting week of the year. Whoever comes out on top in the Gold Cup, whether it be one of the favourites or an underdog writing their name into the annals of racing history, you can be sure their legacy within the racing world will be secured forever.

Cheltenham Free Bets Offers Released by bookmakers for Festival

With the Cheltenham Festival on the horizon, online betting firms are preparing for four days of fantastic action by announcing what Cheltenham free bets they will be offering.

This is a fantastic time for punters. 

At no other time of the year do the bookmakers drop their guard to such an extent that the customer have the edge. Never have online punters had it so good.

The array of free bets on-line has rose to such a competitive level that bookmakers are actually willing to lose a significant amount of money in order just to out-do their rivals in attracting new custom to their website.

It can prove a bit of a minefield though for punters to find the best offers and deals as there are now over 20/30 offers being publicised by various bookies.

That’s where we come in. Our team have searched the internet high and low to find the best offers available for Cheltenham Festival Betting and have brought the best of them to you here.

The £25 free bet provided by William Hill, restricted to new customers, is especially fruitful to use at the Cheltenham Festival.

The offer itself is a very generous one, which punters are advised to take full advantage of. Punters signing up to William Hill are entitled to a healthy welcome offer up to £25.

All punters need to do is sign up via Hills’ official sign-up process, which only takes minutes, and deposit £25 into their account. Remember the key to accessing this type of bonus is to enter the bonus code, which for British and Irish customers is F25.

Once signed up the free bet is ready to be used. All you need to do is place just one bet of anything up to £25 and your account will then be credited with a free bet of the same value.

The bet placed has to be placed at odds greater than 1/5 and William Hill only return profit and not the stake if the bet is successful. Once receiving the winnings, punters are able to withdraw the money back into their account if they wish.

Coral, big rivals of William Hill, are also famous for offering horse racing punters some brilliant free bets around the Cheltenham Festival.

The welcome bonus that they provide is one of the best in the business, and can be used as a decisive weapon for punters who are looking to beat the bookies at Festival.

New customers are entitled to a brilliant sign up bonus of £30. This offer is available online to punters who sign up and deposit up to £30 on their first visit to be used on any of the markets for the Festival.

Ladbrokes arguably offer one of the best free bets offers in the business, with £50 being made available to punters who sign up to their website especially for the Cheltenham Festival.

All any potential new punters need to do is sign up via Ladbrokes offical sign-up process, which takes minutes, and deposit £50 into their account.

Remember, the key to accessing this type of bonus is to enter the bonus code, which for British and Irish customers is FB50.

For punters that are looking to bet regularly during the four-day extravaganza, taking advantage of the offer from 888Sport.com looks a good move.

The way in which the £88 free bet functions is in form of a match-bet scenario, repeated over a certain period of time.

After initially depositing your first £10 into your 888Sport account, you will instantly receive a match-bet of £10 to use on the Cheltenham Festival, amongst other sports book options.

The remaining money allocated to new customers will be activated and arrive at your account on the 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th and 19th time you deposit another £10.

The final free bet will be available to use on your 22nd deposit of £10, where £18 will be credited to your account – giving you a total of £88 of free bets to play with for the Festival.

Top Tips For Cheltenham Festival

Two months remain in the countdown to the Festival and punters growing demand for Cheltenham info can be satisfied at www.cheltenhamfestivalnews.com which is providing free tips and odds comparison as well as the latest news from training establishments on both sides of the Irish Sea. 

The website’s raison d’etre is the fantastic National Hunt festival and serving Cheltenham aficionados with free betting tips before and during the four-day meeting every March.

Many of the Cheltenham ante post markets are taking shape although uncertainty remains around the plans of a number of the Festival’s leading lights let alone entries for the big handicaps and novice events. Cheltenham Festival News provides the inside track from leading owners and trainers as soon as they release any snippets of their Festival plans. The authors follow Cheltenham entries and report on progress on fitness and their performances on the track, from the beginning of the National Hunt season all the way along the road to Cheltenham.

Punters can compare the latest odds from the leading UK bookmakers and link straight to the bookie of their choice, direct from the site. There is analysis of all 27 races, looking at past trends and the demands required of horses in each race to help identify the winners. Racing experts with over 30 years’ experience in the betting and racing industry provide free tips, including long range ante post value and each day throughout the Festival.

In addition to picking Festival winners, Cheltenham Festival News provides tips on bookmaker offers as soon as they become available. Regular visitors to the website will be the first to know when a bookmaker goes Non Runner No Bet, offers Best Odds Guarantee or any other Cheltenham specific offer. 

The website is ideal for punters planning to go Cheltenham or watching the action on TV from home. Those making the trip can go to Cheltenham Festival News for discounted tickets for a limited time, check on the latest entries and pick up some tips. They can even place their bets so they can just enjoy the action and a few pints of Guinness without worrying about getting carried away in the betting ring.

Your Guide to betting at the Cheltenham 2013 Festival

Popular online bookies’ Paddy Power have given us the lowdown on what’s hot and what’s not in the build-up to the 2013 Cheltenham Festival with a wide range of Ante-post betting markets to choose from (currently not available to US residents, unfortunately).

Ante-post betting can prove a double-edged sword; it’s benefits are obvious – you generally get a much better price if you back a horse months before the event, before his price is eased towars the day of the race. On the flip side, if the horse is withdrawn from the race, your bet is deemed a losing bet, so wise judgement is required before delving into the ante-post market at Cheltenham in particular – there’s a lot of great value to be found, yet many of the racecards are still undecided, prior to the declarations being made. So with that in mind, we’d hate to outline the hope without explaining the rules of the game, here’s our early picks, or tips if you like, for the 2013 Cheltenham betting:

Supreme Novices Hurdle (March 12th) – Jezki looks good value @ 4/1

Arkle Chase (March 12th) – Simonsig is the formidable choice, not great Ante-post value however at @ 4/5

Champion Hurdle (March 12th) – Some great recent form suggest Darlan @ 4/1 could be the one to beat 

OLBG David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle (March 12th) – Quevega is hotly tipped around these parts, again, not much value in a 4/6 shot, however!

Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle (March 13th) – We like the look of the much fancied The New One @ 10/1

Queen Mother Champion Chase (March 13th) –To lay Sprinter Sacre or not – that is the question! If you do, you could do worse than backing one of our favourite all-time horses, Sizing Europe @ 7/1, which brings us to the big one…

2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 15th) – Bobs Worth is receiving some excellent backing on the exchanges, currently 3/1 whist Silviniaco Conti looks decent value @ 7/1, particularly if the mercurial Ruby Walsh takes the reins. The list of potential winners here is endless, although we’ll keep it at three, with the inclusion of the fiery Flemenstar @ 11/1 for good measure.

Whoever you go for this March, whether you back ‘em Ante-post or No Runner No Bet, a little closer to the festival, we wish you all the best of luck! Please feel free to drop us a line to let us know your tips for the 2013 Cheltenham Festival – We Here You… your guess is as good as ours!