Get £40 in free bets with Betfred for Cheltenham 2026

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The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is set to be another thrilling week of National Hunt racing, and Betfred are helping new customers get more from their bets. With this Cheltenham sign-up offer, you can bet £10 and receive £40 in free bets, giving you extra ammo to explore the Festival’s biggest races.

Whether you’re backing the early favourites or looking to spread your bets across the week, this Cheltenham offer from Betfred delivers serious bang for your buck.

How the Betfred Cheltenham free bets work

New customers can claim this offer by placing a qualifying £10 bet. Once your stake is settled, you’ll receive £40 in free bets credited to your account, split across £20 in Sports Free Bets & £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 

Claiming your Betfred Cheltenham offer

Claiming your free bets with Betfred is straightforward:

1. Sign up to Betfred via the links in this article using the Cheltenham promo code: FRED40
2. Deposit £10 or more using a debit card
3. Place your first bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater
4. Free bets are credited within 24 of settlement and can be used across eligible markets

Betfred Cheltenham betting offer: £40 in free bets T&Cs

As with any betting offer, it's important to check the terms and conditions. Here are the details for Betfred's Cheltenham betting offer:

• New customers only. 00:00 06/03/26 – 23:59 13/03/26. 
• Register with FRED40, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get £20 in Sports Free Bets & £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 
• 7-day expiry. 
• Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. 
• Full T&Cs apply.

At the Racing Post, we have rounded up all of the best Cheltenham Festival free bets and betting offers in one place. Across the Festival, you can claim £2,500+ in bookmaker bonuses, including offers available on each day of Cheltenham 2026.

Previewing the 2026 Cheltenham Festival  

This year's Cheltenham Festival will show the best of jumps racing, featuring a star-studded line-up across four days and 28 races, attracting leading challengers from Britain and Ireland.

Willie Mullins is the most successful trainer at the meeting with a staggering 113 victories, and he was crowned the leading trainer at last year's festival with ten winners.

Mullins is set to have another formidable team at this year's Cheltenham Festival, with Lossiemouth, Majborough, Fact To File and Kopek Des Bordes among those giving him a strong hand.

Such is the might of Mullins' team, he also has fellow top-class stars like Gaelic Warrior, Final Demand and Doctor Steinberg to call on.

However, his most popular winner could be Galopin Des Champs. The brilliant chaser is out to regain his crown with a third win in the meeting's showpiece event, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

However, standing in his way are the likes of Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man for owner Harry Redknapp in what promises to be an epic contest.

Lossiemouth could also face Brighterdaysahead, The New Lion and even the superstar Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle, while Kopek Des Bordes faces a ding-dong clash against Lulamba in the Arkle. 

Standing in Majborough's way is Marine Nationale in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, while Teahupoo and Bob Olinger renew rivalry in the Stayers' Hurdle.

It promises to be a brilliant four days of action, showing the very best that jumps racing has to offer at Cheltenham.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 schedule

Day one

• 1.20pm - Supreme Novices' Hurdle 
• 2.00pm - Arkle Chase
• 2.40pm - Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
• 3.20pm - Ultima Handicap Chase
• 4.00pm - Champion Hurdle
• 4.40pm - TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap
• 5.20pm - National Hunt Chase

Day two

• 1.20pm - Turner's Novices' Hurdle 
• 2.00pm - Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
• 2.40pm - Coral Cup Hurdle
• 3.20pm - Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
• 4.00pm - Champion Chase
• 4.40pm - Grand Annual Chase
• 5.20pm - Champion Bumper

Day three

• 1.20pm - Mares' Novices' Hurdle 
• 2.00pm - Jack Richards Novices' Chase
• 2.40pm - Mares' Hurdle
• 3.20pm - Stayers' Hurdle
• 4.00pm - Ryanair Chase
• 4.40pm - Pertemps Handicap Hurdle
• 5.20pm - Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase

Day four

• 1.20pm - Triumph Hurdle
• 2.00pm - County Hurdle
• 2.40pm - Mares' Chase
• 3.20pm - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
• 4.00pm - Gold Cup
• 4.40pm - St James's Palace Hunters' Chase
• 5.20pm - National Hunt Chase

For more expert insight, check out our expert Cheltenham Festival tips for the best racing picks.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 FAQs

Why is Cheltenham important for betting?

Cheltenham is one of the biggest betting events of the year, with strong ante-post markets, competitive handicaps and a wide range of bookmaker offers and promotions.

Remember to gamble responsibly

Gambling can be an enjoyable and exciting form of entertainment, but it can also be a serious risk if not done responsibly. It is important to understand the risks associated with gambling and to take steps to minimise them. You can always call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit www.gamstop.co.uk if you need extra help or advice.

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