Cheltenham horse racing tips and exclusive free bets for ITV Racing

We have scoured through the leading betting promotions in the UK to offer our loyal readers the very best horse racing free bets before Cheltenham – the home of jumps racing – stages their prestigious two-day December meeting. Don’t miss out on the most generous free bets to spend on horse racing, in time to watch the thrilling action, live on ITV4, this Saturday. A pair of Grade 2 contests headline the exciting weekend fixture, with the Unibet International Hurdle and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle taking centre-stage, alongside the fiercely-competitive AIS December Gold Cup Handicap Chase.

By the end of this article, you will know how to find one of the top sign-up offers, how to place a qualifier wager and what to spend your free bets on.

Best free horse racing betting offers:

Tote free bets

Bet £5 and get £20 in free bets

New customers online only. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £/€5 and win or lose you will receive £/€20 Tote Credit. £/€20 Tote Credit rewarded as £/€10 redeemable against racing bets only and £/€10 redeemable against UK and Irish Placepot bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged or substituted and expires after seven days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the betslip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.

Betfair free bets

Place a £10 bet and get £30 in free bets

Place a minimum £/€10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of minimum 1/2 (1.5) and get £/€30 in free bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply.

Paddy Power free bets

Get up to £50 in free sports bets

Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. There are x 5 free bets available. Maximum refund per qualifying bet is £10. Only deposits made via cards will be eligible for the promotion (Apple Pay excluded). T&Cs apply.

Ladbrokes free bets

Bet £5 and get £20 in free bets

18+. New UK+IRE customers only. Certain deposit methods and bet types excluded. Minimum first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account registration at minimum odds 1/2 to get 4 x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for seven days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

Coral free bets

Get a £20 free bet when you place a £5 bet

18+. New UK & ROI customers only. Minimum deposit £/€5. Minimum first £/€5 bet at minimum odds 1/2 to qualify for 1 x £/€20 free bet. Certain deposit methods and bet types excl. Free bet valid for seven days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

How to claim your horse racing free bets and betting offers

It's quick and easy to claim your new customer bookmaker offer:

1. Click the link above for your preferred bookmaker offer to be redirected to the sign-up page
2. Follow the on-screen instructions and enter your details
3. If required enter the promo code
4. Make a deposit in-line with the offer requirements
5. Place your first bet in-line with the offer requirements
6. Receive your free bet or bonus as per the terms and conditions

Some bookmakers such as William Hill and Betfair will automatically credit you with free bets or a bonus balance. This is visible within the account section. Other bookmakers may not highlight your active free bets or bonus balance until you're on the betslip, so it's important you check how they work before using your free bets.

Spend your free horse racing bets on ITV Racing

The AIS December Gold Cup Handicap Chase (1.50) is a predictably competitive affair with numerous contenders, including the Evan Williams-trained Coconut Splash. The son of Stowaway has always been held in high regard by connections, displaying plenty of ability in defeat over fences, including a fair third on reappearance at Wetherby. He could run on to find the frame at attractive odds, with many of our generous bookmaker partners offering enhanced places.

Lady Adare is a fascinating runner in the concluding race on ITV4 – the mares' handicap hurdle (3.35) over 2m4½f. The Sholokhov filly is unbeaten in four starts and has shown a penchant for quick ground. Trainer Harry Fry has clearly kept her for a valuable prize after missing a couple of potential engagements this campaign. She looks poised to go well on handicap debut from a mark of 130, having bolted up by sixteen lengths in front of a subsequent winner at Taunton in February.

Check our other horse racing tips for a full overview of who to back this weekend.

See more free bets and betting offers from our trusted partners to get a headstart on your sports betting, or download our horse racing app to sign up for exclusive new customer offers.