The final action of 2025 at Cheltenham will take place across Friday and Saturday as the Cotswolds venue hosts their Christmas Meeting. Check out our expert tips as we attempt to run through the card, and take advantage of some very attractive racing offers in the process.
Cheltenham Christmas Meeting Day 1 betting offers & free bets
With two days of racing at Cheltenham this weekend, now is a great time to sign up to UK betting sites. Tote’s offer stands out as one of the best to use if you want to bet on horse racing, whilst Sky Bet’s is great because you only have to bet 5p to get £30 in free bets.
| Horse Racing Betting Sites | Cheltenham Christmas Meeting Betting Offers |
| Tote | Bet £10 get £40 in bonuses |
| Sky Bet | Bet 5p get £30 in free bets |
| BOYLE Sports | Bet £10 get £40 in bonuses |
| BetMGM | Bet £10 get £40 in free bets |
| Midnite | Bet £10 get £30 in free bets |
| BetWright | Bet £10 get £10 bet & £300 in free bet bangers |
Cheltenham Christmas Meeting Day 1 betting offers & free bets – Key T&Cs:
- Tote: New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on a selected game within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org
- Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 18+. GambleAware.org #ad
- BOYLE Sports: 18+ New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. £40 in FREE Bets (FB) as £30 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply. 18+. Applies to bets placed on match betting ahead of kick off. Get paid out as a winner if your team goes 2 goals ahead even if they win, lose or draw. 90 mins only. Applies to Singles & Multiples. T&Cs apply.
- BetMGM: New cust. Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
- Midnite: 18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
- BetWright: New Customers use code EPL10. Deposit £10 and place a bet of £10 on any Premier League Outrights 2025/26 market at minimum odds of 2.0. Free Bet credited within 24 hours and must be wagered on English Premier League markets only. Full Terms apply. Bangers N’Cash rewards are a separate promotional scheme and must be opted into during the weekly promotional period via the BetWright Rewards Section. 18+ GambleAware.org.
Cheltenham Christmas Meeting Day 1 Betting Tips
Our expert has a race-by-race guide to day one of Cheltenham’s Christmas Meeting.
12.05 – British EBF National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle (2m1f)
Old Park Star seemingly surprised Nicky Henderson with his win at Kempton last month, having gone off at 11/2, and he should progress, but OUR BOY STAN could have his measure here for the in-form Ben Pauling and Ben Jones axis. The Kempton bumper winner was gutsy in last month’s Ffos Las novice hurdle win and that form has been tested.
Selection: Our Boy Stan (15/2)
12.40 – Chasing Excellence Novices’ Chase (2m4½f)
Another likely sort for Henderson here as Califet En Vol makes his chasing debut, alongside the promising Royal Infantry for Dan Skelton. They’ll both need to know the job first time out as SIXMILEBRIDGE built on his excellent novice hurdles form from last season with a commanding success over fences at Ayr (2m4½f, soft) last month for Fergal O’Brien and has plenty of scope for progress.
Selection: Sixmilebridge (9/4)
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1.15 – Catesby Estates Hurdle
French Emperor is on a roll and going for a hat-trick of handicap wins in recent months, but this is tougher than the contests he won at Worcester and here last month and he’s 7lb higher now. KEL DU LARGE sneaks in off bottom weight and the former course bumper winner should be sharper for last month’s return from 621 days off at Exeter, where he ran well enough to believe this mark is within range.
Selection: Kel Du Large (9/2)
1.50 – Turners Handicap Chase
The Short Go ran well here last month in a strong race and remains a contender now for Henry de Bromhead, but L’HOMME PRESSE won a Grade 2 here in January and was fourth in the Gold Cup in 2024. A drop in trip for an Ascot Grade 1 in February wasn’t ideal against course specialist Pic D’orhy and, given his record when fresh, Venetia Williams’ 10-year-old looks a massive player despite top-weight. Class may out for him in this field.
Selection: L’homme Presse (5/1)
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2.25 – Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Chase
Some good old stagers here and the likes of Eldorado Allen, Fugitif and Courtland are respected but COPPERHEAD was narrowly denied in this race a year ago and looks a danger now for Joe Tizzard and Freddie Gingell. He won first time out last season and was most consistent with figures of 112214 through the campaign.
Selection: Copperhead (16/1)
3.00 – Glenfarclas Crystal Cup
FINAL ORDERS ran well in the Risk Of Thunder Chase over the banks at Punchestown last month, finishing third behind Desertmore House. He now gets his first look at the Cross Country track here for last year’s winning trainer/jockey team of Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue. Few riders know this quirky track and how to deal with it better.
Selection: Final Orders (12/1)
3.35 – Citipost Handicap Hurdle
LUCKY MANIFEST was a good winner of a 2m6½f conditional riders’ handicap hurdle on first run for Tom Lacey in October and the five-year-old backed that up with a battling second over 2m5f here last month, rallying late on in a manner that suggested this increased trip will be to his pleasing. The winner defied an 8lb hike to go in again at Leicester last week and this progressive stayer should have more to give.
Selection: Lucky Manifest (2/1)
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