Sports Betting
Cheltenham Races Preview: Tips, Odds & Predictions
After the drama of the Cheltenham Festival 2024, all roads lead to the 2025 edition, and we will have plenty of Cheltenham Festival betting tips. Before that, there is a two-day Cheltenham Christmas Festival this weekend for horseracing enthusiasts to get stuck into.
Cheltenham Races//Getty Images
Starting Friday 13th December, an unlucky date for some, ITV will broadcast the action containing useful Cheltenham jockey insights. Here, you can tap into expert horse racing analysis. SportsBoom is swelling with Cheltenham tips and Cheltenham odds.
The major betting platforms will readily advertise markets, and there will be many promos to feast on, such as free horse race bet offers. Let’s see how things are shaping up for the Cheltenham runners and riders.
Overview of the Races and Odds
Featuring seven races, the Novices’ Chase is one of Friday’s highlights, covering two miles and four furlongs.
Ginny’s Destiny, who set off with 5/2 odds, took the victory last year, and the penultimate race of the day (Crystal Cup Country Chase) is the most gruelling. Covering three miles and five furlongs, there are 32 fences to negotiate, and there will be 10 runners in the field.
We have provided odds from one of the leading horse racing betting sites, and these will be the Cheltenham race odds for today.
Races and Odds
| Race | Favourite (Odds) | Longshot (Odds) |
| Novices’ Hurdle | That’s Nice (10/11) | Palacio (12/1) |
| Novices’ Chase | Caldwell Potter (4/5) | Ballymackie (125/1) |
| Handicap Hurdle | Valgrand (5/2) | Magic Seven (50/1) |
| Premier Handicap Chase | Chianti Classico (15/8) | Izino D’airy (66/1) |
| Veterans’ Handicap Chase | Shakem Up’arry (4/1) | Eden Du Houx (28/1) |
| Cross Country Handicap Chase | Iceo Madrik (3/1) | The Goffer (50/1) |
| Handicap Hurdle | Doyen Quest (15/8) | An Tailliur (28/1) |
*Odds courtesy of Betway, subject to change
Cheltenham Races Preview
It’s time to flesh out some more details on Friday’s races. We have gleaned insights from one of the best horse racing bookmakers in the business in Betway.
12:05 – Novices’ Hurdle
One of the most successful trainers in Cheltenham history, Nicky Henderson loves this place. He’s got That’s Nice in the small field, and he won his only hurdle race of the year which is very promising.
Of the up-and-coming talents, Country Mile, trained by Dan Skelton, could be an outside shout. This horse has had some strong results and could be a turn for the books.
12:40 – Novices’ Chase
Open to horses aged four and over, Cheltenham horse racing betting fans will be watching this event closely. Usually, there is a small field, but Friday’s renewal could be highly competitive.
Caldwell Potter, trained by Paul Nicholls, won at Carlisle on debut so could run well in this revamped race, but Jango Baie, could be his stiffest competition. In terms of tips for Cheltenham today, he could be one to back.
13:15 – Handicap Hurdle
Won last year by the 7/2 favourite Go Dante, the Handicap Hurdle will have 27 entries. Willmount, trained by Nicky Henderson could go well here with the going likely to be good to soft.
This is a Class 3 race, and the handicapper will decide upon the weight the horses should carry. Usually, there are around 10-12 runners on the field, and with just eight hurdles, things can open up nicely.
13:50 – Premier Handicap Chase
Moved from the Saturday slot, and if you are looking for the best bets for Cheltenham, you may find some gems in this race.
This will be one of the longest races over the weekend, covering three miles and two furlongs. Famed for the feats of legendary horses, such as Mon Mome in 2008, King Turgeon could come to the fore in this edition.
He’s unbeaten over fences this season, while The Newest One boasts strong form which should give trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies hope.
14:25 – Veterans’ Handicap Chase
Featuring seasoned campaigners, Shakem Up’arry and Eldorado Allen are the ones to watch. Shakem Up’arry boasts four wins from 14 chase races, while Eldorado Allen finished second in Warwick.
Results have otherwise been mixed for Eldorado Allen in 2024, but he could step up to the mark.
15:00 – Cross Country Handicap Chase
Contested over three miles and five furlongs, this will be a test of endurance for the field. In terms of Cheltenham predictions for this race, Coko Beach stands out, winning two of his past six appearances in the UK.
Although he faded at Punchestown, he could track the likes of Delta Work well, and this has the ingredients to be a classic.
15:35 – Handicap Hurdle
Again, this race will be as much a test of mental strength as physical. Horses will be given weights chosen by the handicapper. Gowel Road, who has three wins from 17 hurdle races could be one to watch here, while Thanksforthehelp (an 8/1 shot), could be among the surprise packages.
Only Willie Mullins (103) has trained more winners at Cheltenham than Nicky Henderson (73).
Betting Tips and Predictions
In terms of Cheltenham betting tips and tips for first-time punters more generally, it’s always good to hunt for value. For Friday’s race, we have provided some predictions below.
Race 1 Tips
- Winner – That’s Nice (10/11)
- Place – The Wingmen (5/2)
- Tricast – That’s Nice (10/11), The Wingmen (5/2), Country Mile (100/30)
Race 2 Tips
- Winner – Caldwell Potter (4/5)
- Place – Jango Baie (5/2)
- Tricast – Caldwell Potter (4/5), Jango Baie (5/2), Defeaning Silence (7/1)
Race 3 Tips
- Winner – Willmount (3/1)
- Place – Bo Zenith (14/1)
- Tricast – Willmount (3/1), Bo Zenith (14/1), Wreckless Eric (6/1)
Race 4 Tips
- Winner – King Turgeon (3/1)
- Place – The Newest One (13/2)
- Tricast – King Turgeon (3/1), The Newest One (13/2), Chambard (10/1)
Race 5 Tips
- Winner – Shakem Up’arry (4/1)
- Place – Eldorado Allen (6/1)
- Tricast – Shakem Up’arry (4/1), Eldorado Allen (6/1), Raffle Ticket (14/1)
Race 6 Tips
- Winner – Coko Beach (17/2)
- Place – Delta Work (9/1)
- Tips – Coko Beach (17/2), Delta Work (9/1), Mister Coffey (9/2)
Race 7 Tips
- Winner – Gowel Road (6/1)
- Place – Thanksforthehelp (8/1)
- Tips – Gowel Road (6/1), Thanksforthehelp (8/1), Might I (6/1)
Charles Perrin is a highly experienced sports betting content writer with over six years of working with some of the leading sportsbooks in the UK, including bet365 and William Hill.