Cheltenham Festival Betting Trends

In order to make the most of your Cheltenham Festival betting it is important to be aware of the fact that several trends have emerged over the last few decades which seem to indicate which horses are more likely to take victory in a race at the Cheltenham Festival based on performances at races earlier in the National Hunt season.

The Victor Chandler Chase

Run at Ascot Racecourse in January, the Victor Chandler Champion Chase has a reputation as the race that sets up racehorses for the Cheltenham Festival’s Queen Mother Champion Chase.

However, a more significant Cheltenham Festival betting trend is hidden in the performances of Victor Chandler Chase winners at the Cheltenham Festival. In the last 20 years nine Victor Chandler Chase winners have gone on to win at the Cheltenham Festival, including six Champion Chase winners and two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners.

The King George VI Chase

The King George VI Chase is one of the toughest races in National Hunt racing. Run at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, the race has an unsurpassed reputation for producing Cheltenham Festival winners.

In the last two decades fourteen Cheltenham Festival winners have run in the King George VI Chase. This tally includes nine Cheltenham Gold Cup winners and four Champion Chase winners.

The Tingle Creek Chase

The Tingle Creek Chase run at Sandown in early December is generally regarded as the race that grooms future Cheltenham Festival Champion Chase winners.

Nine horses that have finished placed at the Tingle Creek Chase have gone on to win the Champion Chase. Of these, three were winners at the Tingle Creek Chase.

The Irish Champion Hurdle

Don’t ignore events at the Irish Champion Hurdle when doing your Cheltenham Festival betting. Run in Leopardstown each year, the Irish Champion Hurdle is recognised as the best predictor of form for the Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle.

The Irish Champion hurdle has produced eight Cheltenham Festival winners. Six Irish Champion Hurdle winners have gone on to win at the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. In the last two years alone nine participants in the Irish Champion Hurdle have finished placed at the Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle.

Once you’re on top of recent Cheltenham Festival betting trends make sure to apply the knowledge to your 2009 Cheltenham Festival betting.

For live horse race betting we use William Hill, one of the world's largest betting companies.