Cheltenham Festival – Be part of the ‘Cheltenham roar’

The biggest horse racing festival in the sporting calendar is here! And Unibet will be offering odds on all of it!

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious racing events in the UK, and run over four days, there is plenty of action to catch.  Starting on Tuesday 15th March, the men put on their finest suits, the women put on the grandest hats and head to the West of England and mingle amongst the royalty and the esteemed at the most magnificent of sporting events.

Without doubt the ‘jewel in Cheltenham’s crown’ – the Cheltenham Gold Cup is a major national event, and many would class it as unmissable.  Ran on the final day of the event, over 3 miles and 2½ furlongs (5,331 metres) and consisting of twenty-two fences, there is plenty of time for drama – and in the Gold Cup, drama is usually guaranteed.  Previous races have seen an odds on favourite in Kauto Star fall four jumps from home, Norton’s Coin who was a 100.00 outsider shock the market in 1990, and the UK’s favourite grey horse, Desert Orchid breaking a 66 year hoodoo to become the first grey to win the event.

This year is the year of the old guns. The current holder, Long Run is the odds on favourite and odds of 2.75 at Unibet, whereas Kauto Star, who is acclaimed to be the greatest British racehorse of all time can be backed at 5.00 as he returns to try and find his 2007-2009 form where he triumphed twice. However, there are doubts about Kauto Star’s form, and he is currently ‘50/50’ to start the race according to his trainer.

“The public feel a great affiliation with these horses as they watch them battle year in year out” says Erik Backlund, Head of Unibet’s Sportsbook.

“It’s great for the sport that these rivalries continue to occur, and with Unibet you can back your favourite and who knows, come Friday evening the country may have a new horsing hero.”

Other possible options for the race are Burton Port and Grands Crus at 10.00, both performing favourably in the market and Time for Rupert at 80.00, who can try and emulate the exploits of Norton’s Coin as the rank outsider.

On the opening Tuesday it is one of the punter’s favourite events, the Champion Hurdle, and the 2010 and 2011 winners dominate the betting, with 2011 winner Hurricane Fly a massive favourite at 1.90 and 2010 winner Binocular available at 6.00.  On the Wednesday people gather to watch the race named after the late, but great, Queen Mother and again the past two winners control the market, Big Zeb, who won in 2010 available at 5.50 but easily outbacked by last year’s winner, Sizing Europe at 1.90.

Unibet also offer markets on best jockey and best trainer, with stalwarts of the industry Ruby Walsh (1.67) and Barry Geraghty (4.50) the favourites to win the best jockey crown and Willie Mullins (2.25) and Nickie Henderson (3.50) the best placed for the trainers crown.

“I think that 15 time champion jockey and 2010 Sports Personality of the Year Tony McCoy is another public favourite and would be an interesting bet at 12.00.” says Erik.

Unibet have Ante Post prices online for every race from Cheltenham Festival and offer Place markets on all the top races. Unibet offer UK Horse Racing prices throughout the year on all the top Group 1 and Grade 1 action, as well as Horse Racing markets in France and Sweden. It is the place to be for some of the most competitive Horse Racing odds on the market.

Unibet Press information