
See how you can secure the best odds and betting offers for every match at the 2026 World Cup this weekend!
Good in-play service
Informative and helpful betting previews
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| Valid Today | June 26, 2026 |
If you’re looking for a new bookmaker to sign up with before the Cheltenham Festival 2026, then Matchbook is certainly one to consider. Matchbook is a sports betting exchange making it slightly different to traditional bookies, as punters enable members to bet against each other rather than against the house, either by backing or laying outcomes at prices determined by the punter.
This often means odds are considerably more in favour of the punter, making Matchbook a great option for Cheltenham bettors. On top of an extensive horse racing selection, Matchbook's pre-Cheltenham free bets offer is incredibly attractive, as new users can claim £40 in free bets when they wager £20!
Matchbook’s Cheltenham Sign Up Offer is perfect for those who enjoy exchange betting on horse racing as it gives you a strong £40 free bet value.
All you need to do to claim this offer is sign up using the link at the top of this page, enter the promo code MB40 when registering your details, and place 2 x £10 bets on horse racing to qualify. You must place and settle bets at odds of Evens (2.0) or more.
Once qualified, you will receive £40 in free bets, consisting of 5 x £10 free bets for Horse Racing markets only!
Matchbook is offering users the chance to secure a £5 free bet each week when they bet £30. This could be on horse racing markets such as Cheltenham and enables you to claim a free bet for the Festival!
Simply opt in through the promotion page found on Matchbook, and place and settle £30 or more in multiples from Monday to Sunday each week. Bets must be settled during the weekly period. The maximum free bet that can be won each week is £5 and all qualifying multiples must be placed at minimum odds of 3.0 or better, and 3 legs or more. Your free bet will then be added to your account each Monday before 11am.
While the main sign up offer is very appealing, there are more ways in which you can harness a load of free bets on horse racing before Cheltenham, which starts on March 10, 2026. Use the code HR30 and wager £30 on horse racing and you'll get £30 in free bets in return which can go directly onto betting on the Cheltenham Festival.
If you’re someone who prefers to bet in larger amounts, then the Matchbook Brokerage Service for Cheltenham is for you. The Matchbook Brokerage service allows you to get quotes for large stakes or bespoke requests that may not be possible on the Exchange. Their Brokerage accesses counterparties that quote prices on a large array of sports and events, including Cheltenham.
If eligible, the customer is set up with a dedicated channel with one of Matchbook’s brokers to discuss a prospective bet. The brokers clarify the request and contact relevant counterparties to request the best price and size. Brokers then respond with a quote(s) for the bet from these counterparties. The customer then accepts the price and terms, then the trade is executed by the brokers. The trade will soon appear in the customer’s account.
Make sure you follow the steps below to claim the Cheltenham Matchbook sign up offer and you will be credited with a £40 bonus! Simply register an account using the promo code MB40 and you’ll be able to bet £20 to get £40 in free bets ready for Cheltenham.
There are a decent number of payment options for Matchbook bettors which you can use to deposit and withdraw funds for the Cheltenham Festival. Here are all available Matchbook payment methods:
New Customers Only. Sign up with Bonus Code: MB40 , Bet and settle 2 x £10 Bets on separate horse racing markets at odds of 2.0 or more. Once qualified user will receive 6 x £5 Multiples and 1 x £10 Exchange Bets for Horse Racing markets only. Deposits via Debit Card only. T’s and C’s apply. 18+ Only. Be Gamble Aware.
For new users to claim the Matchbook Cheltenham sign up offer, they must enter a specific promo code to ensure eligibility for the £40 bonus. This code is MB40, and must be entered during the sign up process.
Failing to do so when setting up your account and before making your first deposit would mean you are no longer eligible for the £40 bonus. As for other Matchbook existing customer offers, there doesn’t appear to be a bonus code required.
Matchbook’s £40 sign up offer is a great way to enhance your betting experience, especially with Cheltenham just around the corner. By following the tips below, you can maximise this promotion and ensure you use it effectively.
When placing your qualifying bets, you could spread your £40 stake across a variety of events or sports to increase your chances of meeting the requirements. For instance, you could combine safer bets closer to the minimum odds of 2.0 with slightly higher-risk wagers to improve potential rewards. By diversifying your bets, you also increase your exposure to different markets, which could work in your favour during Cheltenham or other high-profile events.
Once your qualifying bets have settled, your £40 in free bets will be credited to your account within 48 hours. The bonus is divided as 6x £5 Horse Racing Multiples Bets and 1x £10 Horse Racing Exchange Bet, which includes the Cheltenham Festival.
The timing of this Matchbook promotion makes it ideal for Cheltenham betting. Use your free bets on popular back or lay markets for key races or try combining multiple outcomes in a single race with a Bet Builder. Matchbook’s exchange feature to back or lay bets could provide more flexibility and potential for strategic hedging. Cheltenham offers a range of exciting markets, making it the perfect opportunity to leverage this bonus.
Betfair's bet £10 get £50 sign up offer provides a lower free bet amount and with a larger qualifying bet amount.
Betfred has a very similar sign up offer to Betfair in that you must bet £10 to get £40 in free bets, which is a higher qualifying wager requirement to unlock the same in free bets.
The bet365 sign up offer for Cheltenham is an example of a bet £10 get £30. The difference with this offer is that you must use the promo code ‘ODDSCHECK’ when signing up to unlock the £30 free bet bonus. The £10 qualifying bet rule applies, and the free bets will be available for 7 days.
The Cheltenham Festival is expected to welcome over 250,000 spectators across four days of world-class jump racing, with the event set to take place between Tuesday 10 – Friday 13 March 2026.
Check out the tables below to see the full schedule for Cheltenham Festival 2026:
| Times | Race | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20pm | The Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m 87y | Hurdle |
| 2.00pm | The Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) | 1m 7f 199y | Chase |
| 2.40pm | The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) | 2m 87y | Hurdle |
| 3.20pm | The Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) | 3m 1f | Chase |
| 4.00pm | The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m 87y | Hurdle |
| 4.40pm | The TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) | 2m 4f 44y | Chase |
| 5.20pm | The Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase | 3m 5f 201y | Chase |
| Times | Race | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20pm | The Turners Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1) | 2m abt 5f | Hurdle |
| 2.00pm | The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase | 3m | Chase |
| 2.40pm | The BetMGM Cup Hurdle (Premier Handicap) | 2m abt 5f | Hurdle |
| 3.20pm | The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase | 3m abt 5 ½f | Chase |
| 4.00pm | The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (Grade 1) | Abt 2m | Chase |
| 4.40pm | The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple (Premier Handicap) | 2m | Chase |
| 5.20pm | The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) | 2m | Bumper |
| Times | Race | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20pm | The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m 179y | Hurdle |
| 2.00pm | The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap (Grade 2) | 2m 4f | Chase |
| 2.40pm | The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m 4f 56y | Hurdle |
| 3.20pm | The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m 7f 213y | Hurdle |
| 4.00pm | The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) | 2m 4f 127y | Chase |
| 4.40pm | The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) | 2m 7f 113y | Hurdle |
| 5.20pm | The Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase | 3m 2f | Chase |
| Times | Race | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20pm | The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m 179y | Hurdle |
| 2.00pm | The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap) | 2m 179y | Hurdle |
| 2.40pm | The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase (Chase 2) | 2m 4f 127y | Chase |
| 3.20pm | The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1) | 2m 7f 213y | Hurdle |
| 4.00pm | The Boodies Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1) | 3m 2f 70y | Chase |
| 4.40pm | The St. James’s Place Festival Hunters Chase | 3m 2f 70y | Chase |
| 5.20pm | Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle | 2m 4f 56y | Hurdle |
The Matchbook Cheltenham free bet offer allows new customers to claim a £40 bonus after placing and settling £20 in qualifying bets on Matchbook markets. You must use the promo code MB40 during registration to qualify.
Commission is the fee charged by Matchbook on a bettor's net winnings from a bet. Unlike traditional bookmakers, Matchbook allows users to bet against each other rather than against the house, meaning you get better odds in return for a 2% commission fee on net profits. Matchbook does not charge commission on losing bets.
Yes, the Matchbook sign up offer free bets can be used on any sports markets, but it’s particularly great for Cheltenham Festival betting. However, you must meet the qualifying criteria to receive the free bets.
Matchbook accepts a wide range of payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Paysafecard, Neteller, Skrill, and Fast Bank Transfer. Make sure to check for any restrictions on qualifying deposits for promotions.
Once your qualifying bets are settled, your free bets will be credited to your Matchbook account within 48 hours.
Matchbook’s exchange allows you to both back and lay bets. This means you can bet on a horse to win or bet against a horse winning. It provides more flexibility and allows strategic betting during Cheltenham.
Matchbook stands out as a betting platform for Cheltenham due to its competitive odds, wide market selection, and the ability to use the exchange for back and lay betting. The £40 welcome offer is another strong reason to choose Matchbook for Cheltenham Festival betting.
Additionally, Matchbook’s user-friendly interface and various promotional offers make it a great choice for both new and seasoned bettors during Cheltenham.
Betting should always be done responsibly. While the Cheltenham Festival is an exciting time for racing fans, it’s important to set limits and bet within your means. Matchbook encourages responsible gambling and provides tools to help manage your betting activity. If you feel your betting is becoming problematic, seek help from organisations like BeGambleAware.
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