The first day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival is here and to celebrate, oddschecker has compiled the best free bets that all customers can get on Day 1 at Prestbury Park.
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most iconic sporting events of any calendar year and 2025 is no different as we gear up for the first seven races on day 1.
Bettors will be looking for the best Cheltenham odds and offers today and oddschecker has you covered with this complete list of free bets for the biggest races.
Free bets for the opening day of the festival come in all shapes and sizes and here, we will provide info on how you can find these offers as a new or existing customer with these bookmakers!
If you are a new customer, then you'll not only be able to claim some completely free bets for day one, but you'll also be able to take advantage of some amazing Cheltenham sign up offers, so make sure you read on to find all the details below!
Bookmakers Offering Free Bets for Cheltenham Day 1
The following bookmakers are all offering completely free bets for day one of the Cheltenham Festival, which starts today with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at 1:20pm.
William Hill: Claim a Free Bet for Cheltenham Day1
All William Hill customers can claim a completely free bet for the first day of Cheltenham. You can opt in now to add the free bet to your account and place a bet on any market for the first day. Follow the steps below to claim your completely free bet for the opening day of the festival:
- CLICK HERE to log in or sign up to a William Hill account
- Click 'Promotions'
- Scroll down to find the 'Get a completely free bet on any Cheltenham Festival Day 1 race' promo
- Opt-in to receive your completely free bet for Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival
- Please note the value of this free bet varies by customer
- Free bets will be credited immediately upon opt in, but will only be available to use from 13:00 (UK time) on Sunday 9th March 2025 until the start of the final race on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival
William Hill
- Solid in-play betting service
- Cash-in option to help increase profitability
- Excellent reputation within the UK betting-industry
Sky Bet: Claim a Free £5 Bet For Cheltenham Day 1
Sky Bet customers are being treated to a completely free £5 bet for day one of the Cheltenham Festival! All you have to do is CLICK HERE to log in or sign up to a Sky Bet account, then find the free £5 bet promotion.
Once you have opted in, you'll be able to place your £5 free bet on any race on day one at Cheltenham! This free bet will expire just before midnight on Tuesday, March 11, so make sure you use it on any Cheltenham race on day one.
Virgin Bet: Money Back Up to £10 as a Free Bet if Your Horse Loses
Virgin Bet customers can get a free bet up to £10 if their horse loses on a select race on day one of Cheltenham.
All you have to do is place a cash bet within 48 hours of the 14:40 Ultima Handicap Chase, and if your horse loses, you'll receive a free bet! The Max Free Bet varies between £1- £20 per member. Virgin Bet well let you know the stake and maximum Free Bet value you’ll receive if your bet loses via pop-up when logged into your account.
New Members, who register before 14 March 2025, shall receive a £10 Free Bet. You can use your Free Bet on any sportsbook market, including the Cheltenham Festival.
Betfair: Claim a Free Bet for Cheltenham Day One
Betfair Sportsbook users can claim a free bet worth £1-£10 for day one of the Cheltenham Festival when they opt in. This free bet can be used on Horse Racing multiples and is available each day of the festival!
All you have to do is opt in to receive yours and use it on a racing multi at minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) on minimum one leg for the bet to qualify.
Paddy Power: Completely Free Bet on Cheltenham Festival
Lastly, bookmaker behemoth Paddy Power is offering a completely free bet on day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival.
Whether you're an old bookmaker or new, you can opt into this promotion and get a free bet, which can vary from £1-£25, depending on your initial stake. You will be able to do this ahead of the first race at 1:20pm so CLICK HERE to see more.
Alternatively, you can also sign up to Paddy Power's incredible new customer offer of bet £10 get £40 in free bets, which you can find below!
What Races Are Taking Place Today at Cheltenham Festival Day 1?
Here are all the races taking place on day one of Cheltenham, which you can also place your free bets on right now:
- 13:20: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ (Grade 1) - 2m - Hurdle
- 14:00: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) - 2m - Chase
- 14:40: Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) - 3m abt 1f - Chase
- 15:20: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) - 2m abt 4f - Hurdle
- 16:00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) - 2m - Hurdle
- 16:40: Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) - 2m - Hurdle
- 17:20: National Hunt Novices’ Chase - 3m abt 6f - Chase
Last updated: 9:35am Tuesday, March 11, 2025
