Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham runs across four days each March. Day One is Champion Day (Champion Hurdle), Day Two is Ladies' Day (Queen Mother Champion Chase), St Patrick's Thursday (Stayers' Hurdle) and Gold Cup Friday — the main event, the Cheltenham Gold Cup itself.

Ante-post markets open months in advance and offer bigger prices if you back a horse early. The trade-off: if the horse doesn't run, most bookmakers keep your stake unless you took a "non-runner-no-bet" concession. Day-of-race prices are shorter but every horse runs.

Nearly every UK bookmaker offers Best Odds Guaranteed on UK and Irish racing during the festival. If you back a horse in the morning and its price drifts to a bigger starting price, you get paid at the SP. It's the single most important concession to check for during Cheltenham.

Handicap races at Cheltenham typically pay 5–6 places each-way rather than the usual 3–4. Compare bookmakers on the day — extra-place promotions can be worth more than a headline free bet.

Festival weeks are the biggest volume weeks of the year for UK bookmakers. Set a total festival budget upfront, not per race. Free help: 0808 8020 133 (National Gambling Helpline) or gamcare.org.uk. Self-exclude at gamstop.co.uk.