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Excitement continues to grow as we near the off for this year's Cheltenham Festival. Tuesday 12 March has been inked into the diaries of race horse lovers for some time and the curtain will go up on the Prestbury Park extravaganza with the Supreme Novice Hurdle, beginning four days of some of the best racing you'll see.
Bookmakers are all too aware of the increased interest in the sport at this time of year and, as a result, are locked in a bitter war with their major competitors in a fight to win your custom. They know there's a good chance you're going to be betting on the race winners and will do everything in their power to ensure you do that through their website.
That results in an explosion of special offers, promotions, marketing ploys and deals that, quite often, sound too good to be true. Most of the time they are, but what's the best Cheltenham Festival betting offers and where can you get your hands on a slice of the cake? We take a look at the betting offers worth having in this year's festival.
Last year we saw the usual surge to catch your eye with more given away than ever before. Don't worry if you missed out, however, there are plenty more Cheltenham betting offers to get your hands on between now and the off.
Twelve months ago backers were treated to everything from price boosts to extra each-way places and we think it wise to get as many firms working in your favour as possible. Coral pushed Buveur D'Air out to a jaw-dropping 50/1 to win the Champion Hurdle, enhanced from 8/15. That deal alone shows just how far some firms are willing to go to beat the queues and win your custom.
Nicky Henderson's star gelding did as expected when edging Melon by a neck over two miles on heavy ground, delighting backers in the process, especially those who took advantage of Coral's overwhelming generosity.
There were the usual terms and conditions attached, as always, with the most noteworthy of them being your stake was capped at £1. That makes a bit of a difference, but it was worth taking a risk on as if it won, which it did, you would've had a pound on a 50/1 winner and if it lost Coral had promised to give backers a £5 free bet as a consolation prize.
It'll be well worth keeping your eye on the bookies' promotions pages between now and the festival as they are sure to be crammed with delights, similar to the one above. The best of these are usually made available closer to the off, once we know which horses will run in which races, but there are a few that have popped up early and grabbed our attention.
Coral have rolled out their bet £5 get £20 deal and that does exactly what it says. New customers opening an account, making their first deposit of £5 or more and placing a £5 bet on a selection with odds of even money or better will get a £20 free bet delivered into their account within 24 hours. That's only valid for a 24-hour period and must be bet on a horse racing single bet. To boost that promo they will also give money back if your pick loses.
Boylesports have gone down a different route and are giving money back if your Cheltenham selection loses but is placed second or third behind the SP favourite. That makes it easier to take one at a better price as you know of horse pick runs well but is pipped by the jolly, as odds makers expect to happen, they'll refund your stake. You'll also get a £30 free bet when opening an account, depositing and betting at least £10.
These type of offers are in place to reward genuine customers who intend on using the site. The reason you must first make a bet is to stop customers signing up and taking advantage of the freebie before leaving to do the same thing at a rival. A closer look at the T&Cs show the refund is capped at £20, it expires after seven days and antepost bets don't qualify towards the bonus.
One for those who prefer to use the exchanges, and Matchbook are giving 0% commission on horse racing – Cheltenham or otherwise – and up to £500 cash back. Matchbook allows punters to bet against punters and, unlike with traditional bookmakers who make their profits no matter the result, Matchbook are after savvy backers as they turn a profit from winning bets through commission placed on slips collected.
That is, of course, unless you're a new customer and betting on horse racing. This deal only applies to the set period of the promotion and after it's over you will begin to pay commission on horse racing like everyone else. It's a great way to play if you're keen on the idea of using an exchange but are worried about what it might cost you.
