Cheltenham: Millions Placed in Bets

The Cheltenham Festival is a regular event in the British horse racing calendar and has one of the largest race prize money pool in horseracing (only second to the Grand National). The majority of online betting odds for Cheltenham 2018 have gone live and it is expected that millions of pounds will be placed on bets during the festival. Although the majority of money at the weekend will be spent by visitors on bets, the jockeys will also have huge sums of money to compete for. With just under £5 million prize money available, they will be encouraging their horse to get to the finish line as soon as possible. The trainers and owners will also be hoping that the horse has been prepared well as they will also be hoping to get part of the impressive prize pool.

The popularity of the sport and the continuous investment into the sport & prize money has meant that more and more ‘famous figures’ have become involved in the sport. Although some people have become involved by becoming horse trainers, a lot of famous people have brought and invested their own horses in an attempt to increase their wealth by winning races. It is completely up to the owner what they do with their winnings, but a lot of the owners usually invest their money back into racing by improve the quality of their training, or buying another horse to compete for them.

Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the more famous and recognisable race horse owners. ‘Fergie’ started getting involved in horse racing in the latter part of his life, owning horses such as the “Rock of Gibraltar”. Although the “Rock of Gibraltar” horse is now retired, Ferguson’s current horse, Clan Des Obeaux, will be competing in the Gold Cup on Friday. Considering that his horse will be participating on Friday, there is a good chance that he will also be attending the festival himself.

Other celebrities which have ownership of horses include Steven Spielberg, Harry Redknapp, and the Duchess of Westminster. Although these celebrities aren’t likely to attend the festival, there is a good chance that their horses will be competing at one of the many races taking place this week.

There are thousands of race horse owners across the world, but how familiar are you with some of the more famous ones. Take this quiz and see what score you can get.

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Best Bets On Cheltenham Festival 2018

If you listen quietly, the buzz of the Cheltenham Festival can be heard.

From the 13th - 16th March, Prestbury Park, Gloucestershire becomes the centre of the National Hunt scene for a very good reason. This racecourse, trainers, horses and punters come here with winners in mind.

With Grade 1 races aplenty, punters can easily feel light headed wondering which race to make as their banker. If you have ever been to the course and part of the crowd, betting at this place is something to behold. The Cheltenham betting experience is like no other. Even watching TV on the box in the corner of the room, shivers go down the spine. The Cheltenham Roar starts what is a day of reckoning. The best horses battling for success. History makers not satisfied with their honours. ''Just one more victory''.

As a novice bettor, you may wonder how to bet on Cheltenham 2018. In truth, unless you have very deep pockets or bet small, you may not want to consider a flutter on every race.

The big races always get the pulse racing.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is for many the most significant National Hunt racing on the calendar. Run over a distance of 3 miles 2 1/2f, this Grade 1 race is open to horses aged five years and older. Twenty-two fences stand between success and failure. There is no easy way to win this class race.

From a historical point of view, there is one horse that stands proudest of all. Golden Miller won this race five time in succession from 1932 – 1936. Can you imagine if a horse achieved that now! It would be the Frankel of the National Hunt.

Modern-day champions don't lack any lustre.

Best Mate is an iconic winner of three races (2002 – 2004). Hard as nails. 

Kauto Star sticks in my mind. The only horse to regain the Gold Cup. A truly gallant, majestic and much-loved horse.

Sizing John won last year's Gold Cup for for trainer Jessica Harrington, ridden by Robbie Power, defying Minella Rocco and Native River who finished second and third, respectively. 

Get ready for the latest Cheltenham betting offers from all the leading bookmakers.

Are you ready for the biggest betting bonanza?

16th March - 3:30 Cheltenham – The Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson could have a real bumper Cheltenham. With a number of leading fancies, this could be a year to remember. Might Bite is a horse hitting the headlines. This gelding is a nine-year-old bay owned by The Knot Again Partnership. An Irish-bred son of Scorpion, he is unbeaten in his last five races. With an official rating of 169, this is a progressive horse. Taking a look at William Hill betting, this horse is available at 3/1. Henderson is no stranger to success in the Gold Cup. Bob's Worth won back in 2013. He started the 11/4f, running out a tidy seven-length winner.

The Gold Cup is a race of old faces, winners and stoic campaigners. Winners often try to defend their hard-fought titles. Sizing John, last year's winner, is a reminder that only a few taste glory. At odds of 6/1, there could value if betting each way.

Who else registers as a live hope?

Colin Tizzard trains Native River. This son of Indian River ran a storming race last year when finishing third. He was pretty strong in the betting but couldn't defy Sizing John. A most recent win, when odds-on at Newbury, saw a classy display. Plenty of punters will be snapping up 11/2 which William Hill offer at this time.

Gold Cup Pointers:

The majority of Gold Cup winners come from the major fancies if not the favourites. Bookmakers have plenty of data to help assess the chance of each runner. With only one horse winning at 20/1 in the last twenty years (Lord Windermere), it suggests you are wise to stick with the first four or five in the market.

Good luck with your bets. 

Grand National 2017 (Sat 8th April)

The Grand National is the one race each year that attracts a great deal of interest outside of the sport of horse racing. The world famous steeplechase at Aintree is almost upon us again and, like every year, the betting for the 2017 contest is extremely competitive, where the field is currently headed by the 11/1 favourite Vieux Lion Rouge.

Here is a look at some of the outsiders that have a good chance of coming out on top in the 4m4f contest over the bigger fences at the Merseyside track.

UCELLO CONTI: Given how successful his season has been to date, it would be no surprise to see Irish trainer Gordon Elliott win the Grand National for the second time in his career with this nine-year-old, who has plenty of experience around this course. The Irish horse was sixth in the race on his debut in 2016, while back in December, he came home fourth in the Becher Handicap Chase – a race which was won by Vieux Lion Rouge. The handicapper appears to be have been generous, so off 10st 12lbs, he should be knocking on the door once again in the closing stages of the marathon contest; he is a good shout at 20/1 in the latest Grand National 2017 betting for the big race.

WONDERFUL CHARM: Paul Nicholls will be desperate to win the Grand National this year to help him seal the Trainers’ Championship in the UK. His best chance looks to be with Wonderful Charm, who has been in excellent form at the back end of this season. He was successful at Musselburgh and Haydock in February, while last month he finished second behind Pacha Du Polder in the Foxhunter Challenge Cup where he was only denied victory by half a length.

THUNDER AND ROSES: In 2016, Mouse Morris had Rule The World peaking for the Grand National and it paid dividends, as the Irish horse was at his best to come out on top by six lengths. Thunder And Roses, who is trained and owned by last year’s winning connections, looks to have a similar profile to his former stablemate, whose success you can read about in the history of the most recent winners of the race. He has snuck in right near the bottom of the weights. Stamina should not be a problem for this horse, so as long as he handles the course and conditions, he could be amongst those fighting it out jumping the last at Aintree.

VERDICT: UCELLO CONTI ticks so many boxes of those who are in the Grand National field this year. The nine-year-old really enjoys the challenges that the course has to offer, so he looks to be a cracking each-way bet to make the frame at the very least. If a little bit of luck goes his way, he may end up capping off what has been a memorable season for his trainer Elliott, who had six winners at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

If you are looking for a couple of horses to back at much bigger prices, then Thunder And Roses (33/1) and Wonderful Charm (40/1) should be on your shortlist as they appear to have been underestimated by the bookmakers.