Last updated 31/01/19
Cheltenham Festival is one of the biggest events on the racing calendar. In this guide, we’ve brought together all the essential information for Days 1, 2, 3 and 4, including information on runners and odds. And don’t miss our dedicated Cheltenham Gold Cup guide, which looks at some interesting trends in the race over the years.
Looking to make some money over the Festival? Learn how you can make a profit at the bookies with matched betting.
- When is the Cheltenham Festival 2019?
- When to place your bets on the 2019 Cheltenham Festival
- How do I choose which horses to bet on?
- Day 1 race guide
- Day 2 race guide
- Day 3 race guide
- Day 4 race guide
When is Cheltenham Festival 2019?
The next Cheltenham Festival will be held over four days on the 12th–15th March 2019:
- Day 1: Champion Day: Tuesday 12th March 2019
- Day 2: Ladies Day: Wednesday 13th March 2019
- Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday: Thursday 14th March 2019
- Day 4: Gold Cup Day: Friday 15th March 2019
The Cheltenham Gold Cup, which takes place on Day 4, is the most prestigious race on the event calendar.
The meetings take place at Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4SH. You can get information about the dress code and more on their site. Tickets are available here.
When to place your bets on the 2019 Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival has 48-hour declarations, which means the final list of runners is revealed two days before each race. However, the betting market can open up to six months in advance.
Ante-post betting (placing a bet before the day of the race) can help you secure better odds, but there is a chance that your horse will pull out. Check with the bookmaker whether you’ll get a refund in the event of a non-runner. Race-day betting means there’s a low chance of your horse not running, but odds typically shorten as the event approaches.
OddsMonkey Premium members can find out when the best Cheltenham Festival offers are available by keeping an eye on dedicated threads on our matched betting forum.
How do I choose which horses to bet on?
So, how do you know which horses to bet on at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival? Here are some things you might want to consider:
- Look at tips: Lots of horseracing experts and enthusiasts, known as tipsters, offer predictions of who they think will win, known as tips. They’re largely informed by analysis of each horse’s form (recent performance) and the going (the course conditions on race day), so they tend to be more reliable as the race approaches.
- Consider the odds: The bookies don’t get it right every time. In fact, we discovered that the favourite won just 27% of Gold Cup races from 1924 to 2018 — but the odds are an indicator of how likely a horse is to win. Of course, they also determine how much you’ll make if your bet comes in. If you’re willing to place a riskier bet for the potential of higher returns, then choose an outsider; if you want to maximise your chances of winning, choose one of the favourites. See what the latest odds look like for Days 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- Try your luck: If you’re just looking to have a bit of fun with a small stake and don’t know too much about horse racing, you might choose your horse by picking your favourite name or colours. This turns betting into more of a lottery, as you’re not considering how the horse is likely to perform against the others. Check out the list of runners for Days 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- Do some analysis: Of course, rather than listening to the tipsters, you’re free to perform your own research and pick your winner based off that. Maybe you think last year’s winner is going to do it again, or you fancy the novice that’s been surprising punters at recent races. You can see the latest going report for Cheltenham Racecourse here. To view a horse’s form, search their name and view their profile on the Racing Post. You can find the list of expected runners for every Day 1, 2, 3 and 4 race, as well as info about last year’s winners, below.
If you’re only interested in making money, then matched betting is the best option. OddsMonkey members can view race-specific betting offers and more in our matched betting forum, and use tools like OddsMatcher, Racing Matcher and EachWay Matcher to ensure they make a profit. You don’t have to know anything about horse racing to try matched betting on Cheltenham Festival 2019.
Day 1 race guide — Champion Day, Tuesday 12th March 2019
Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival (Champion Day) takes place on Tuesday 12th March 2019. The biggest race of the meeting is the Champion Hurdle (15.30), the most prestigious hurdling event in the National Hunt calendar.
Read on for Day 1 runners and riders, the odds, and last year’s results.
OddsMonkey Premium members can read the dedicated Tuesday thread for race-specific offers and more!
View the latest going report for Cheltenham Racecourse.
| Time | Race | Distance | Grade |
| 13.30 | Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | 2m ½f | 1 |
| 14.10 | Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase | 2m | 1 |
| 14.50 | Ultima Handicap Chase | 3m ½f | 3 |
| 15.30 | Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy | 2m ½f | 1 |
| 16.10 | Mares’ Hurdle (for the David Nicholson Trophy) | 2m 4f | 1 |
| 16.50 | National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase | 4m | 2 |
| 17.30 | Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase | 2m 4½f | Listed |
13.30 — Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2m ½f)
Runners and racers TBC.
Did you know?
Leading jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins have won this race five times each
— three times as a team.
2018 winner: Summerville Boy (9/1) — N D Fehily/T R George
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
14.10 — Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (2m)
Runners and racers TBC.
Did you know?
The jockey-trainer team of Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins have proved victorious in three of the past four years. However, Nicky Henderson is the leading trainer for this race, with six wins under his belt.
2018 winner: Footpad (5/6) — R Walsh/W P Mullins
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
14.50 — Ultima Handicap Chase (3m ½f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Coo Star Sivola (5/1) — Lizzie Kelly /Nick Williams
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
15.30 — Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (2m ½f)
Runners and racers TBC.
Did you know?
Buveur D’Air has won this event for the past two years.
2018 winner: Buveur D’Air (4/6) — B J Geraghty/N J Henderson
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
16.10 — Mares’ Hurdle (for the David Nicholson Trophy) (2m 4f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Benie Des Dieux (9/2) — R Walsh/W P Mullins
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
16.50 — National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase (4m)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Rathvinden (9/2) — Mr P W Mullins/W P Mullins
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
17.30 — Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase (2m 4½f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Mister Whitaker (13/2) — B Hughes/M R Channon
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
Day 2 race guide — Ladies Day, Wednesday 13th March 2019
Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival (Ladies Day) takes place on Wednesday 13th March 2019. Read on for Day 2 runners and riders, the odds, and last year’s results.
OddsMonkey Premium members can read the dedicated Wednesday thread for race-specific offers and more!
View the latest going report for Cheltenham Racecourse.
| Time | Race | Distance | Grade |
| 13.30 | Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle | 2m 5f | 1 |
| 14.10 | RSA Steeple Chase | 3m ½f | 1 |
| 14.50 | Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle | 2m 5f | 1 |
| 15.30 | Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase | 2m | 3 |
| 16.10 | Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase | 3m 7f | 1 |
| 16.50 | Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | 2m ½f | 1 |
| 17.30 | Weatherby’s Champion Bumper (Open NH Flat Race) | 2m ½f | Listed |
13.30 — Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (2m 5f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Samcro (8/11) — J W Kennedy/G Elliott
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
14.10 — RSA Steeple Chase (3m ½f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Presenting Percy (5/2)— D N Russell/P G Kelly
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
14.50 — Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Bleu Berry (20/1) — M P Walsh/W P Mullins
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
15.30 — Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (2m)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Altior (1/1) — Nico de Boinville/N J Henderson
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
16.10 — Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (3m 7f)
Runners and racers TBC.
Did you know?
Last year’s winner, Tiger Roll, also went on to win the prestigious Grand National 2018 trophy.
2018 winner: Tiger Roll (7/1) — K M Donoghue/G Elliott
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
16.50 — Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Veneer Of Charm (33/1) — J W Kennedy/G Elliott
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
17.30 — Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Open NH Flat Race) (2m ½f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Relegate (25/1) — Ms K Walsh/W P Mullins
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
Day 3 race guide — St Patrick’s Thursday, Thursday 14th March 2019
Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival (St Patrick’s Thursday) takes place on Thursday 14th March 2019. Read on for Day 3 runners and riders, the odds, and last year’s results.
OddsMonkey Premium members can read the dedicated Thursday thread for race-specific offers and more!
View the latest going report for Cheltenham Racecourse.
| Time | Race | Distance | Grade |
| 13.30 | JLT Novices’ Steeple Chase | 2m 5f | 1 |
| 14.10 | Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle) | 3m | Listed |
| 14.50 | Ryanair Chase | 2m 5f | 1 |
| 15.30 | Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle | 3m | 1 |
| 16.10 | Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase | 2m 5f | 3 |
| 16.50 | Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices Hurdle | 2m 2f | Ungraded |
| 17.30 | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase | 3m 1½f | 2 |
13.30 — JLT Novices’ Steeple Chase (2m 5f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Shattered Love (4/1) — J W Kennedy/G Elliott
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
14.10 — Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle) (3m)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Delta Work (6/1) — D N Russell/G Elliott
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
14.50 — Ryanair Chase (2m 5f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Balko Des Flos (8/1) — D N Russell/H de Bromhead
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
15.30 — Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle (3m)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Penhill (12/1) — P Townend/W P Mullins
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
16.10 — Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase (2m 5f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: The Storyteller (5/1) — D N Russell/G Elliott
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
16.50 — Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices Hurdle (2m 2f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Laurina (4/7) — P Townend/W P Mullins
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
17.30 — Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (3m 1 ½f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Missed Approach (8/1) — Mr N McParlan/W Greatrex
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
Day 4 race guide — Gold Cup Day, Friday 15th March 2019
Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival (Gold Cup Day) takes place on Friday 15th March 2019. Read on for Day 4 runners and riders, the odds, and last year’s results.
OddsMonkey Premium members can read the dedicated Friday thread for race-specific offers and more!
View the latest going report for Cheltenham Racecourse.
| Time | Race | Distance | Grade |
| 13.30 | JCB Triumph Hurdle | 2m 1f | 1 |
| 14.10 | Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle | 2m 1f | 3 |
| 14.50 | Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle | 3m | 1 |
| 15.30 | Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase | 3m 2½f | 1 |
| 16.10 | Foxhunter Steeple Chase | 3m 2½f | Ungraded |
| 16.50 | Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle | 2m 4½f | Ungraded |
| 17.30 | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase | 2m ½f | 3 |
13.30 — JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m 1f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Farclas (9/1) — J W Kennedy/G Elliott
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
14.10 — Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Mohaayed (33/1) — Bridget Andrews/D Skelton
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
14.50 — Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3m)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Kilbricken Storm (33/1) — Harry Cobden/C L Tizzard
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
15.30 — Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (3m 2½f)
View our Cheltenham Gold Cup 2019 guide for more information.
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Native river (5/1) — R Johnson/C L Tizzard
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
16.10 — Foxhunter Steeple Chase (3m 2½f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Pacha Du Polder (25/1) — Miss H C Tucker/P F Nicholls
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
16.50 — Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m 4½f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Blow By Blow (11/1) — D Meyler/G Elliott
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
17.30 — Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase (2m ½f)
Runners and racers TBC.
2018 winner: Le Prezien (15/2) — B J Geraghty/P F Nicholls
| Name | Price | Jockey/Trainer |
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