The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest week in jump racing and a huge event for Irish punters. The 2027 festival runs from Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March. This guide explains the four days, the main betting markets and the terms that matter. It is a guide to how betting works, not a tipping service, and there are no guaranteed winners.
What are the Cheltenham Festival 2027 dates and feature races?
- Tuesday 16 March (Champion Day): the Champion Hurdle.
- Wednesday 17 March (Ladies Day): the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
- Thursday 18 March (St Patrick’s Thursday): the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle.
- Friday 19 March (Gold Cup Day): the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Dates and feature races are as published by the Jockey Club. Card details can change, so check before you bet.
What are the main Cheltenham betting markets?
- Race winner: the core market, available ante-post and on the day.
- Each-way: the place part pays a fraction of the odds if your horse finishes in the places, and bookmakers often offer extra places on big races.
- Leading trainer and jockey: markets on who wins the most races across the festival.
- Irish v British: markets on which country produces more winners.
- Specials: multiples across the four days and other festival-long bets.
What is ante-post betting and what are the risks?
Ante-post bets are placed days, weeks or months before a race, often at bigger prices than on the day. The risk is that in most ante-post markets you lose your stake if your horse does not run. Some bookmakers offer non-runner no bet on selected races, so check the terms. Our horse racing betting guide explains non-runner, best odds guaranteed and Rule 4 terms.
What should you check before betting on Cheltenham?
- The going, which can change across the four days.
- How the horse has run at Cheltenham and over the distance before.
- Trainer and jockey form, and whether the horse is stepping up in class.
- Field size in handicaps, which can be very large and hard to predict.
- Each-way terms, extra places and best odds guaranteed rules at each bookmaker.
Where can you bet on Cheltenham in Ireland?
With a bookmaker licensed for Irish customers. See our betting sites in Ireland and how to check a bookmaker is licensed. Read bet types explained if each-way betting is new, and use the bet calculator for returns.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Cheltenham Festival?
The festival runs from Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March 2027.
What are the feature races each day?
The Champion Hurdle on day one, the Queen Mother Champion Chase on day two, the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle on day three, and the Gold Cup on day four.
What is ante-post betting?
A bet placed well before the race, often at bigger prices. In most ante-post markets you lose your stake if the horse does not run, so check the rules.
Are Cheltenham tips reliable?
No. Racing is unpredictable, favourites lose often, and no tip is a guarantee.
Keep it in perspective
Cheltenham week can encourage bigger stakes than usual. Set a budget before the festival starts, only bet what you can afford to lose, and see our responsible gambling page for help.
18+. Please play responsibly, gambleaware.org. Guides are opinion, not guarantees.
