The best Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offers for Friday 13 March are from Ladbrokes, Coral, bet365, Sky Bet, Paddy Power, Betway and William Hill. Claim all these offers and you’re looking at over £600 in free bets.
The final day features seven races, starting with the Triumph Hurdle at 13:20 and peaking with the Gold Cup at 16:00. Between the opener and the Martin Pipe at 17:20, punters should prioritise bookmakers offering Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) and extra places to get the most value from the final day of the meeting.
Here’s our top-down guide for how to get betting offers and free bets for the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Top Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offers for new customers
Below we’ve curated a list of the best Cheltenham betting sites for the Gold Cup so that you can have a first look at their top racing features, free bet offers, and payment methods to use.
For New Customers. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&C apply. See full T&C
18+ New Customers only. Available 09:00 16/02/2026 to 23:59 15/03/2026. Certain deposit methods and bet types excl. 1st Deposit & Bet £10+ at min odds 1/2 within 14 days of account reg & get 3x £10 free bets and 2x £5 free bets. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £10 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 3x £10 free bets and 2 x £5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
New Customer offer. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £30 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
18+. Play Safe. Online only. For new UK register customers using promo code G40. Deposit & place £10 cash single bet (min odds 1/2) on sportsbook. Get £40 in Free Bets (4x£10), valid for sportsbook (excl. Virtuals), 7 days expiry, must use in full (£10 each). Not valid with deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay or WH PLUS Card. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. www.gambleaware.org #ad
New Customers only. Place a min £10 bet at min odds of 2.0. £40 worth of Free Bet Tokens awarded on bet settlement. 4 x £10 each with betting restrictions. 7 day expiry. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). Existing Customers – Opt in to Free Bet Club and Weekly Bet and Get offers to build your Cheltenham Pot. 18+ GambleAware.org. Full Terms apply
New customers only. Register with promo code FRED40, deposit with Debit Card, and place your first £10+ Sports bet at Evens (2.0)+ within 7 days to receive 3 x £10 Sports Free Bets and 2 x £10 Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs apply.
Cheltenham Offer: Opt in and place a £10 Win or £5 Each-Way bet on the 13:20 at Cheltenham (10–13 March 2026) to receive a £10 Free Bet for use on any other Cheltenham race the same day. Free Bet expires at 23:59 daily. T&Cs apply.
New customers: Deposit £10+ within 7 days and place a sports bet (place element of E/W bets excluded). Min odds apply. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets (each requires 2+ selections). Valid 7 days. Excludes eSports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Money Back Specials
Money Back 2nd to SP Favourite
18+. New UK customers (excl. NI) for Bet £10 Get £40. Min £10 deposit & £10 stake at min odds Evs. Free bets issued on settlement, valid 7 days. Cashed‑out/free bets don’t qualify. Cheltenham Money Back: UK/IRE/NI online customers. Max £/€10 free bet per race. Win/e/w singles only, 1st bet per race, 5+ runners. Free/void/ante‑post bets & dead‑heats for 2nd excluded. Applies to FPP. Account & payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Money Back Specials
Dual-Bonus Split
Daily Price Boosts
New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accepted in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply and deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+
Contents
- 1 Top Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offers for new customers
- 2 Our five Cheltenham Gold Cup offer recommendations
- 3 How to claim your Cheltenham Gold Cup free bets
- 4 Existing customer offers on Gold Cup day
- 5 Official Gold Cup Day Schedule (Friday, March 13, 2026)
- 6 Types of Cheltenham Gold Cup free bets
- 7 What can you use your Cheltenham free bets on?
- 8 What to look for when picking an offer
- 9 Responsible gambling
- 10 Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offers FAQs
Our five Cheltenham Gold Cup offer recommendations
Some bookmakers give you more bang for your qualifying stake with their Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offers. Others pull ahead on race-day features like Best Odds Guaranteed or extra places. Here are our five top picks:
- bet365
- Coral
- Sky Bet
- Ladbrokes
- Paddy Power
Let’s break each of these down below.
1) bet365: Bet £10 get £30 in bet credits
The bet365 bonus code unlocks a flexible offer for Day 4 of the Festival, with bet credits rather than fixed tokens, so you can split your £30 however you like. This is perfect if you want to put £22 on the Gold Cup and spread the remaining £8 across the final two races. To release the credits, you must deposit between £5 and £10 and settle a qualifying bet:
- Stake up to £10 at odds of 1/5 (1.20) or greater
- Qualifying bet must settle on Friday to release your credits
- Bet Credits expire after 7 days
- Free bet stakes are not returned in winnings
- NRNB applies to the entire Friday card
Daily Super Boosts on Gold Cup contenders go live from 10:00, and the Price Promise guarantees the best value against major competitors for ITV races. NRNB applies to all markets, and the free-to-play 6 Horses Challenge offers a massive jackpot opportunity on Friday.
Gold Cup Advantage: You can use your Bet Credits on the Position Payout market. This pays out more the higher your horse finishes (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) rather than using standard each-way terms.
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2) Coral: Bet £10 get £40 in free bets
Coral offers high value for the final day, particularly if you enjoy building your own bets. The enhanced offer is for new customers who get £40 bonus, delivered as 3 separate £10 tokens for use on any sport and 2 separate £5 tokens specifically for racing bet builders.
- Stake £10 or more on any Friday race at odds of 1/2 (1.50) or greater
- Qualifying wager must be placed within 14 days of account registration
- Tokens are valid for 14 days after they are credited
- Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) is live from 08:00 on Friday
The Coral app is fast – ideal for placing last-minute bets, especially when the Friday traffic is at its heaviest.
Gold Cup Advantage: The two £5 bet builder tokens are perfect for the 16:00. You can combine a horse to win with the number of finishers or winning distance for a much higher potential payout on the biggest race of the week.
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3) Sky Bet: Get £30 in free bets from a 5p stake
Sky Bet is the place to look if you want extra places on your Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offers. With massive fields in the County Hurdle at 14:00 and the Martin Pipe at 17:20, they often pay out on more finishing positions than anyone else and frequently pay down to 8th place via the app.
While they have multiple Sky Bet new customer offers, their primary offer for the Gold Cup is a “Bet Anything” special. This is the most practical option for Day 4 as it provides a high-value bankroll for the whole card from a very low-cost entry.
You can unlock your bonus with a bet as small as 5p and receive three £10 free bet tokens as soon as your opening wager is placed.
- Deposit a minimum of £5 and stake £0.05 (5p)
- Minimum odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater apply to the qualifying wager
- Free bets can be redeemed against any single or each-way market (excluding virtuals)
- Free bet tokens expire 30 days after they are credited
Gold Cup Advantage: Sky Bet is famous for offering more extra places than almost anyone else on the Friday card. If you are backing a horse at a bigger price in the 16:00, you will often find they pay out on up to 6 finishing positions.
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4) Ladbrokes: Bet £10 get £40 in free bets
Since Ladbrokes and Coral are owned by the same group, their Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offers often look similar. However, Ladbrokes sign up offer is the better choice for the Day 4 order of running if you prefer manual odds boosts. Their app also handles race-day features like live streaming and in-race betting without a hitch, even when traffic spikes at peak times.
Once your first bet clears, you get 3 x £10 free bets for any sport and 2 x £5 free bets specifically for horse racing bet builders:
- Place an initial £10 bet at odds of 1/2 (1.50) or greater on any sports market
- Qualifying wager must be placed within 14 days of registration
- Free bets must be used within 7 days
- Deposits via PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, or certain debit cards will not qualify
Best Odds Guaranteed applies from 08:00, while the “Stay The Distance” tool lets punters track favourites and add custom notes. Extra places are often confirmed by 15:00 the day before.
Gold Cup Advantage: Ladbrokes offers daily Odds Boost tokens that you can apply manually. You can use them to inflate the price of your pick to get better value than the standard market rate.
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5) Paddy Power: Bet £5 get £30 in free bets
The Paddy Power sign up offer for the final day of the Cheltenham Festival is £30 in sports free bets when you place a £5 qualifying bet at Evs (2.0)+. They are a favourite for the Gold Cup line-up because of their money back specials, often refunding stakes if your horse finishes 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in big-field chases.
The Cheltenham welcome bonus is delivered as three separate £10 tokens for use on multiples, accumulators, or bet builders:
- Place a £10 bet on any race during the Day 4 schedule at odds of EVS (2.0) or higher
- Best Odds Guaranteed applies from 08:00
- Deposits via e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller will not qualify
- Free bet tokens are valid for 30 days after they are credited
Beyond the welcome bonus, the #WhatOddsPaddy feature lets you pitch custom bets to traders, while Turbo Power Prices offer enhanced odds on the day. You also get NRNB on all ante-post markets.
Expect plenty of existing customer free bets to be announced across social media and TV throughout the final day programme.
Gold Cup Advantage: Their Money Back special for the main event is the ultimate insurance. The Gold Cup field is very competitive, so having your stake returned as a free bet if you narrowly miss out on the win is a massive safety net.
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Which Gold Cup offer should you choose as a new customer?
Selecting the right offer depends on your priority for the final day of the Festival:
| Bookmaker | Total bonus | Min. deposit | Min. odds | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Power | £30 | £5 | 1/1 (2.0) | 30 Days |
| Sky Bet | £30 | £5 (min stake 5p) | 1/1 (2.0) | 30 Days |
| Coral | £40 | £10 | 1/2 (1.5) | 14 Days |
| Ladbrokes | £40 | £10 | 1/2 (1.5) | 7 Days |
| bet365 | £30 | £5 – £10 | 1/5 (1.2) | 7 Days |
- Maximise your bankroll: Coral and Ladbrokes provide the largest free bet bundle, giving you £40 to spread across every race on the Friday card.
- Target the outsiders: Paddy Power and Sky Bet are the primary choices for each-way punters, as they typically offer the most extra places and the fastest access to your winnings.
- Get paid before the next race: bet365 and Coral lead the way for withdrawal times, often landing your returns back in your account within minutes.
- Control your price: Ladbrokes is the best option if you want to use manual Odds Boost tokens to increase the payout on your specific final day programme selections.
- Low-risk entry: bet365 has the lowest odds requirement at 1/5, making it the easiest bonus to unlock if you are backing a heavy favourite on the Day 4 order of running.
How to claim your Cheltenham Gold Cup free bets
Claiming a free bet for the Gold Cup takes a few minutes, and here are the common steps to follow:
- Click our signup link to go directly to your favourite bookie’s registration page
- Create your account – Enter your personal details and verify your identity. You may be required to enter a promo code here.
- Deposit funds – Most offers have a minimum deposit of £5 to £20
- Place your qualifying bet on markets and odds that qualify
- Get and use your free bets – You will receive your free bets once your qualifying wager settles. You can use the Gold Cup markets via your bet slip
Existing customer offers on Gold Cup day
New players get most of the attention, but existing players have plenty to look forward to on Gold Cup day. The major bookmakers push Festival-specific offers via app notifications throughout the week.
Here are the most valuable promos to look out for on Friday, March 13:
| UK app | Promotion Name | Benefit/offer | Double-odds boost on the favourite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky Bet | Money Back as Cash | Refund in Cash if your horse loses | 13:20 Triumph Hurdle |
| Paddy Power | Completely Free Bet | Double-odds boost on the favourite | Any Friday Race |
| bet365 | Price Promise | Guaranteed best odds vs competitors | All ITV Races |
| Coral | Racing Super Series | £10,000+ Jackpot free-to-play game | The Full Friday Card |
| Ladbrokes | Odds Boost | Manual “Boost” tokens to use yourself | Any Friday Selection |
| William Hill | Epic Odds Boost | Double-odds boost on the favorite | 16:00 Gold Cup |
The Sky Bet offer is a great way to start because the cash refund can be withdrawn or moved to another race if your horse loses. For the midday races, check the Paddy Power app at 08:00 to claim your free bet to back an outsider without risking your own balance.
If you want a high-value return for no cost, the Coral Super Series is the best choice since you only need your horses to place in each race to stay in the hunt for the ten thousand pound jackpot.
Official Gold Cup Day Schedule (Friday, March 13, 2026)
Friday features seven world-class races. Use this schedule to plan your afternoon and ensure you are ready for the 16:00 showpiece.
| Time | Race Name | Grade | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:20 | The JCB Triumph Hurdle | Grade 1 | Top 3yo Juvenile Hurdlers |
| 14:00 | The County Handicap Hurdle | Premier | Ultra-competitive big field |
| 14:40 | The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase | Grade 2 | The best female chasers |
| 15:20 | The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | Staying stars of the future |
| 16:00 | The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup | Grade 1 | The Blue Riband Event |
| 16:40 | The Festival Hunters’ Chase | Class 2 | The “Amateur” Gold Cup |
| 17:20 | The Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle | Class 2 | The traditional “get out” stakes |
Types of Cheltenham Gold Cup free bets
Matched free bets
The bookmaker credits a free bet equal to your qualifying stake. Example: bet £10, get £30 in free bets.
Bet credits
Bookies like bet365 issue Bet Credits in place of free bets. They work similarly in that you use them as a stake, but the stake is not returned if your bet wins.
Money back as cash
Bookmakers like Sky Bet offer specific races where your stake is refunded in cash if your horse finishes 2nd or worse.
Money back as a free bet
A more common format: your stake comes back as a free bet token rather than cash. Still worth having, but you cannot withdraw the refund directly. Use it on your next Gold Cup race of the day.
Money-back bets
If your first bet loses, you get the stake back up to £10 to £30. The refund usually arrives as a free bet.
Enhanced odds offers
With enhanced-odds promos, some runners get a price boost (as high as 33/1) from a much shorter price.
Bet-through-the-card offers
Place one bet on the first race and receive free bets for each remaining race on the card.
What can you use your Cheltenham free bets on?
Most free bets work across most Gold Cup markets, but what you can use them on depends on each bookmaker’s terms. Here is what to check before using your free bets:
- Win singles vs each-way – Some free bet tokens only cover the win part of an each-way bet, meaning you would need to fund the place portion from your cash balance.
- Ante-post vs race-day betting – If you have already backed a Gold Cup runner in advance, confirm whether your free bet applies to that market type.
- Acca use – Sky Bet’s free bet tokens, for example, are restricted to horse racing multiples only
- Minimum odds requirements – Most offers are available at min odds of 1/5 (1.2) or 1/2 (1.5), so backing a short-priced Gold Cup favourite below that won’t count
What to look for when picking an offer
With so many Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offers for March 2026, here’s what you need to look for to pick the right free bet bonus:
- Free bet value vs qualifying stake – Look for a high bonus-to-stake ratio. The Sky Bet (Bet 5p Get £30) is currently the best value compared to offers requiring a £20 qualifying wager.
- Best Odds Guaranteed – BOG is especially important on Gold Cup day when markets move sharply pre-race
- Each-way terms – Check how many places are paid and at what fraction of odds
- Payment method eligibility – Ensure your preferred method is eligible, as most e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are excluded
- Free bet validity period – Seven days is standard, but you can get up to 30 days with bookies like Paddy Power
- Wagering requirements – Check whether free bet winnings are withdrawable immediately or subject to more playthrough
Responsible gambling
All bookmakers listed in this article hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Each site provides dedicated tools to help you manage your betting during the 2026 Festival, including:
- Deposit Limits
- Profit and Loss Trackers
- Time-Outs
If you ever feel that betting is affecting your well-being, please visit BeGambleAware.org for free, confidential support.
Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offers FAQs
Which bookmaker has the best Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offer?
For Day 4, the standout promos are Sky Bet’s Bet 5p Get £30 and Coral’s Bet £10 Get £40. Both give you extra play for a small opening stake, which is ideal for covering the full Friday card.
Can I use a welcome offer on the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Yes. You can bet on the Gold Cup as a qualifying wager for the welcome offer. All the welcome free bets above can also be used on the big race.
Are there Gold Cup free bets with no deposit today?
Most Friday offers require a small qualifying wager, but for new players, Sky Bet’s “Bet 5p Get £30” is the closest you will find to a no-deposit deal. It only takes a 5p stake to unlock £30 in free bets for the Gold Cup card.
For existing customers, check your Paddy Power or Sky Bet “Promotions” tab after 10:00. They often credit free £1–£5 bets specifically for the 16:00 race.
What time does the 2026 Gold Cup start?
The Gold Cup goes off at 16:00 on Friday, 13 March 2026. While it is the highlight of the day, remember there are four races before it, starting with the Triumph Hurdle at 13:20.
Can I use my free bets on each-way selections?
Most bookmakers allow you to use free bets for each-way wagers, but the free bet token usually only covers the win portion. You may need to fund the place part of the bet with your own cash balance. Always check the individual bet slip to see if the token covers the full stake.
Which bookies have Gold Cup extra places for each-way bets?
Sky Bet and Coral are the top choices for backing each-way outsiders. For the Gold Cup and the County Hurdle (14:00), you can often find 6 or 7 places available instead of the standard 3 or 4.
What happens to my free bet if my horse is a non-runner?
If you use a free bet on a horse that is later withdrawn, most bookmakers, like bet365 and Sky Bet, will credit the free bet token back to your account. This is part of the Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) protection that applies to the main Festival races.
Do I need a promo code to claim Cheltenham Gold Cup free bets?
Not always. You do not need a promo code to claim free bets at Coral, Ladbrokes, and bet365. However, others like Paddy Power require you to sign up with their own promo code.