Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds
How to Bet on the Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious steeplechase in National Hunt racing and the showpiece event of the entire Cheltenham Festival. Held on the final day, it is a true test of stamina, jumping ability, and racing class over an extended distance and demanding fences.
Open to horses aged five and older, the Gold Cup attracts the very best staying chasers from Britain and Ireland each March and crowns the season’s top performer.
Such is the popularity of the race, Cheltenham Gold Cup odds are available from all top horse racing betting sites minutes after the previous edition of the race has been run.
The Gold Cup odds tend to change dramatically over the course of the year, making it essential that racing punters stay up to date with the latest price changes if they want to back the best of the number.
Here are some of the ways to bet on the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Future or Ante-Post Betting
Cheltenham Gold Cup odds are usually available year-round in the futures or ante-post section of your sportsbook’s horse racing page.
Placing a bet early can be beneficial, especially if your horse shows good form in key trial races like the Savills Chase, Irish Gold Cup, or the King George VI Chase. Strong performances in these events can lead to their odds shortening dramatically.
The odds can go the other way too should a horse perform poorly in the lead up to Cheltenham - just another reason to keep a close eye on the Cheltenham Gold Cup odds.
Some sportsbooks will offer Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) as the festival approaches. This means if you back a horse in the future market and it doesn’t run in the Gold Cup, your stake is returned in full.
To Win
Back your horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. If it finishes first, your bet is paid in full. Any other result, and the bet is settled as a loss.
Place
A place bet means your horse only needs to finish in the top few places. For the Cheltenham Gold Cup, most sportsbooks pay out on at least the top three places, with some offering enhanced terms for four or even five places.
Each-Way
An each-way bet splits your stake equally between a win bet and a place bet. If your horse wins, both parts of the bet pay out. If it only places, you’ll get a return on the place portion, typically at 1/5 of the Cheltenham Gold Cup odds.
Each-way betting is a popular strategy in the Gold Cup, particularly for runners priced at 8/1 or bigger.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Facts
- Distance: 3 miles 2½ furlongs
- Course: Cheltenham’s New Course
- Number of fences: 22
- Prize money: £625,000
- First run in 1924, originally as a flat race
- Won by legends like Arkle, Best Mate, Kauto Star and Galopin Des Champs
- Final race on Friday and the climax of the Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting Pointers
If you’re diving into the Cheltenham Gold Cup odds in the hope of finding a couple of strong runners, here are a few important betting tips to keep in mind:
- Stayers usually rule: This race is not about speed — it’s about lasting the trip. Horses proven over 3 miles or further should be prioritised.
- Previous Cheltenham form is a huge advantage: Prestbury Park is a tough, undulating course. Horses with Festival experience, even outside the Gold Cup, often have an edge. 20 of the last 24 Gold Cup winners had either won or placed previously at Cheltenham.
- Don’t write off the defending champion: Since 2013, five horses have either defended their Gold Cup crown or placed again the following year. Horses that go well in this race tend to come back strong.
- Class is permanent: Each of the last 24 winners of the Gold Cup had a Grade 1 win to their name, while 18 of those victors arrived at Cheltenham off the back of a victory.
Understanding Gold Cup Odds
Sportsbooks usually let you toggle between three different formats when viewing Cheltenham Gold Cup betting odds, with your location likely deciding the default odds display.
This is the main format for Cheltenham Gold Cup odds in the UK and Ireland and appears as 5/1, 10/3, etc. The first number indicates the potential profit from the second number on the right of the line. A £10 bet at 5/1 returns £60, made up of a £50 profit plus your £10 stake.
Comparing Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds
Cheltenham Gold Cup odds can shift dramatically in the lead-up to the race, especially after key prep races or when final declarations are confirmed.
At Gambling.com, we make it easy to compare odds from the biggest and most trusted sportsbooks. Whether you’re backing the favourite or eyeing a value each-way bet, our real-time odds comparison tool helps you secure the best price on every runner.
We also track enhanced place terms, NRNB markets, and boosted odds promotions, giving you every opportunity to make your Cheltenham Gold Cup bet count.
Bookmark this page for live Gold Cup odds, expert tips, and exclusive betting offers as the Festival approaches.
