Cheltenham horse racing tips for ITV Racing on New Year's Day

We hope our readers enjoyed a thrilling New Year's Eve and look forward to a plethora of outstanding free bet offers from the leading UK bookmakers. What better way to bring in 2023 than by watching a host of top-class equine action from the home of jumps racing, with Cheltenham live on ITV.

A pair of Grade 2 prizes are up for grabs from Prestbury Park, with the Paddy Power Novices' Chase and the prestigious Relkeel Hurdle taking centre stage. Who can put their hat into the ring as a genuine Cheltenham Festival contender?

The ITV cameras will be showing two competitive handicaps to support the New Year's Day extravaganza, including the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase, featuring plenty of course specialists and well-known individuals to welcome in 2023.

We have searched high and low to find you the very best bookmaker offers to kickstart your 2023 punting. The major betting giants below are ready to provide you with top welcome bonuses to spend on quality horse racing events. Open as many new accounts as you want – more accounts equals more free bets!

William Hill free bets

Bet £10 get £30 in free bets

Play safe. From 00:01 on 13.04.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on the sportsbook. Further terms apply. 18+.

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 of 1/2 to qualify for 1 x £/€20 free bet. Certain deposit methods and bet types are excluded. Free bet valid for seven days. Stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

Sky Bet free bets

Get £30 in free bets when you place a 5p+ bet

New customers only. First single and each-way bet only. 5p minimum stake. 3 x £10 bet token. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further 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.

bet365 free bets

Place a £10 bet and get £50 in free bets for new customers at bet365

Minimum deposit requirement. Free bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Minimum odds, bet, and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and 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 are excluded. Minimum first £/€5 bet within 14 days of an account registration at minimum odds of 1/2 to get 4 x £/€5 free bets. Free bets are available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets are valid for seven days, and the stake is not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

How to claim your New Year's Day betting offers

You've read the very best bookmaker sign-up offers available, so now it's time to choose a favourite and follow the simple step-by-step registration details below.

Here's how to sign up for an account and get your welcome bonus free bet at each bookie you select. You can sign up by using your mobile or desktop computer.

1. Select a bookie from the above list and click its link to begin. The process is the same for any apps covered on this page.
2. Complete the registration form, adding all the necessary information to register your account.
3. A few betting apps require you to enter a unique promo code when joining. If this is the case, the code will be supplied during registration.
4. Deposit funds to your betting account using an accepted method, such as a debit card, and place a qualifying sportsbook bet. Look out for minimum odds.
5. When the qualifying bet results, the free bet tokens will be automatically added to your account balance and can be used.

Our best New Year's Day horse racing tips

A fiendishly difficult handicap chase (1.55) could go the way of Stolen Silver, who departed three out in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham's November meeting. The Sam Thomas-trained grey was reported to be lame after the race and was previously a course-and-distance scorer. It would be folly to rule out further improvement from this progressive type. One who also catches the eye from an each-way perspective is Simply The Betts, who has a 15lb pull in the weights with the aforementioned rival from their running at this track in April.

The feature contest is the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle (2.30), with many contenders in what looks an open heat. First Street has a few pounds to find with a couple at the top of the betting but has considerable scope for progress after a Grade 3 success at Newbury. The step up in trip is likely to bring about further improvement.

The concluding ITV race is a thoroughly competitive affair. Abuffalosoldier arrives after a determined success in a Newbury handicap hurdle over this distance. The Mahler gelding beat a subsequent winner and looks to have strong credentials after a small rise in the weights.

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.