A MISSING college student who suddenly vanished during a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic is feared to have drowned.

Sudiksha Konanki, 20, was seen on the beach in Punta Cana just after 4am on Thursday morning, according to security footage.

Facebook

She was reported missing around 12 hours later by her pals, sparking an urgent hunt.

Search and rescue teams in the Dominican Republic have combed the sea and searched other areas including bays and bushes.

Officials have told ABC News they believe Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, drowned.

Cops believe she and one other person were caught by a big wave.

Police said that five women and a man left the beach at around 5:55am on Thursday morning.

But, Konanki and another man stayed on the beach.

The man was reportedly seen leaving the beach hours later, but there was no sight of Konanki, per CNN.

He is now being quizzed by cops as part of their probe into her disappearance.

He reportedly left the beach just before 10am.

It’s not known if he is a student at the University of Pittsburgh.

Konanki arrived in the Dominican Republic on March 3 with five other people.

Her pals have not yet been quizzed by officers.

Cops in Loudoun County, Virginia, are disputing the claims made by officials in the Caribbean country.

They claim that there’s “no evidence” that Konanki drowned.

They suspect that the officials in the Dominican Republic came to the conclusion because it was her last known location.

Her dad, Subbarayudu, revealed she was about to start pre-med studies in Pittsburgh.

“She’s ambitious. She wanted to pursue a career in medicine,” he told CNN.

He revealed that she had ambitions to be a doctor.

Instagram

Search and rescue officers seen patroling the beach[/caption]

Riu Republica - Adults Only

She was last seen on the beach at the Riu Republica resort[/caption]

WE’RE just days away from hearing that famous Cheltenham ROAAAR – with the action starting TOMORROW!

Here at Sun Racing we’ve put together an extensive list of the top betting offers and exclusive bonuses offers from our commercial partners, in no particular order, to make sure YOU are in the best possible position for the four-day extravaganza.

Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

The 10 best bonuses and sign-up offers from our partners

• Betfred – Bet £10 Get £50
• Tote – Bet £10 Get £40
• BetMGM – Bet £10 Get £40
• 10bet – Matched bet up to £50
• BoyleSports – Bet £10 Get £30
• talksportBET – Bet £10 Get £30
• William Hill – Bet £10 Get £60
• Betano – Up to £40 in free bets
• PricedUp – Get £20 free bet
• Coral – Bet £5 Get £20

Betfred

Offer: Bet £10 Get £50 in free bets

New Betfred customers can get a mammoth £50 in free bets to spend on sport!

Once depositing and betting £10+ new punters will receive £50 in free bets, credited as:

• 3 x Sports free bets
• 2 x Acca free bets

---

Tote

Offer: Bet £10 Get £40 in bonuses

Tote never fail to disappoint with their new customer offers and this is no different.

New customers to sign up to the bookmaker can claim £40 in free bets and bonuses to spend on Cheltenham!

The bonuses are credited as so:

• £20 Tote credit
• £10 free sports bet
• 50 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza

---

BetMGM

Offer: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets

BetMGM were really popular last year and this welcome offer should be the same again this year.

New customers can claim £40 in free bets to spend on horse racing when they register and stake £10!

Those free bets are:

• 2 x £10 Free Bets (min odds 2/1)
• 2 x £10 Free Accas (trebles & above)

---

10bet

Offer: Get matched first bet up to £50

10bet have a terrific offer for brand new customers ahead of Cheltenham.

Punters who sign up and deposit up to £50 using promo code ‘SPORT’ will have their stake 100% matched as a free bet up to that £50 max limit!

---

BoyleSports

Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets and bonuses

BoyleSports are rewarding brand new customers with £30 in free bets and bonuses for the Festival.

Punters who register a brand new account and bet £10 will receive a £20 in sports free bet and a £10 casino bonus!

---

talkSPORT BET

Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets

talkSPORT BET are marking the Cheltenham Festival AND huge football calendar with their offer.

New customers who stake £10 will receive £30 in free bets – to be used on a mix of football and Cheltenham!

On settlement of the qualifying bet, your free bets are:

• A £10 Football Free Bet – ACCA 3+ selections

Then, on 9/03/2025 at 12:00, you will also be credited:

• A £10 Cheltenham Free Bet
• A £10 Cheltenham Free Bet – 2+ selections

---

William Hill

Offer: Bet £10 Get £60 in bonuses

The biggest value of the list, William Hill are giving out £60 in free bets and bonuses when registering and staking £10.

Once that £10 is settled, a £20 Vegas Bonus will be credited to use on selected games.

Then to receive the Sports Bonus of 4 x £10, you must make a minimum stake of £10 (with cash or from your winnings from the Vegas Free Bet, once wagering requirements are met) at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on any sportsbook market!

So you’ll get:

• £20 Vegas Bonus
• 4 x £10 sports free bets

---

Betano

Offer: Get up to £40 in free bets

Betano are relatively new to the market and they’re looking to make waves with their offer!

Betano will match your very first stake as a free bet up to £40!

The free bet will be split and credited as two separate bets to add up to the original stake, like so:

• 50% – any Horse Racing Acca (2+ selections)
• 50% – Lengthen the Odds

---

PricedUp

Offer: Get a £20 free bet when you stake £40

Bookmakers PricedUp are rewarding new customers with a £20 free bet when they register a new account ahead of Cheltenham!

Just register and place an opening bet of £40+ and once it has been settled, PricedUp will credit your account with a £20 free bet instantly.

---

Coral

Offer: Bet £5 Get £20 in free bets

Coral are rewarding new customers with £20 in free bets when signing up and just staking £5!

Once you have placed your first qualifying bet of £5+, Coral will credit your account with 4x £5 free bets to be used on horse racing!

---

When is the Cheltenham Festival?

• The 2025 Cheltenham Festival gets underway on Tuesday, March 11.
• It will run between March 11 and Friday, March 14.
• The first race will take place at 1.20pm on each day and the last race at 5.20pm.
• The championship race will be run at 4pm each day.

When time is each race at Cheltenham?

• The entire Cheltenham schedule can be found here.
• Seven races will take place each day from 1.20pm until the finale at 5.20pm

What are the championship races at the Cheltenham Festival?

Each day of the Festival, there will be one ‘championship race’ – essentially the highlight of that day’s action.

Those are:

• Day one: Champion Hurdle
• Day two: Champion Chase
• Day three: Stayers’ Hurdle
• Day four: Cheltenham Gold Cup

Who is favourite to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

• At the time of writing, Galopin Des Champs is the favourite to win the race
• He’s trained by Willie Mullins and won this race in 2023 and 2024

Previous Cheltenham Gold Cup winners

Year	Winner	Age	Trainer
2024	Galopin Des Champs	7	W P Mullins
2023	Galopin Des Champs	7	W P Mullins
2022	A Plus Tard	8	Henry De Bromhead
2021	Minella Indo	8	Henry De Bromhead
2020	Al Boum Photo	8	W P Mullins
2019	Al Boum Photo	7	W P Mullins
2018	Native River	8	Colin Tizzard
2017	Sizing John	7	Jessica Harrington (Ire)
2016	Don Cossack	9	Gordon Elliott (Ire)
2015	Coneygree	8	Mark Brackstock

What TV channel will Cheltenham Festival be broadcast on and can I stream it?

• Cheltenham will be available live on ITV and Racing TV.
• You can follow all the action on SunSport’s Cheltenham Festival live blog.

---

Ts&Cs

*Betfred: New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

*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 Big Bass Bonanza 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.Full T&Cs apply.

*BetMGM. New cust only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet of £10 at Evens (1/1) or above for 2 x £10 Free Bets (min odds 2/1) & 2 x £10 Free Accas (trebles & above at min odds per line 1/2). Expires 14/03/25 23:59. Cannot be used on e-sports & non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.

*10bet. New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+

*BoyleSports. *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. Digital customers only. Min Odds of (3/1). Max stake 20. Available on one bet per selected event. 25% Boost. Boost will be added once all selections have settled. Max boost payout £/€1,000. Offer does not apply to multiple bets. Free/void/cashed out bets won’t qualify. T&Cs apply.

*talkSPORT BET. 18+ New Customers Only. Opt in via mobile or app. Bet £10+ on sports (odds 2.00+). Get 3x£10 Free Bets for set markets, which expire in 5 days. Offer valid from 12:00 on 26/02/2025 until 16:00 on 07/03/2025. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org . Please gamble responsibly 

*William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. #ad

*Betano. 18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet £10 on Horse Racing (odds 2/1+) within 3 days of sign up. No cash-out. Get your first stake credited in Free Bets, up to £40, for set horse racing markets. Free Bets expire in 5 days. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly 

*PricedUp. 18+. New customers only. Place a minimum £40 bet on any selection with minimum odds of Evens (2.00) and receive a £20 free bet upon bet settlement. Free bet expires after 7 days. BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs apply. #ad

*Coral. Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org

---

THE DAYS are getting longer, but the countdown to the 2025 Cheltenham Festival is getting shorter.

And with that comes the barrage of Cheltenham free bets, and Cheltenham betting offers.

Here, we narrowed down some of the best free bets and offers from our affiliate partners so you can make the most out of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

2025 Cheltenham Festival free bets and offers

Best bookies and offers for Cheltenham Festival 2025

The Cheltenham Festival is the one week a year when every horse racing betting site unleashes their best Cheltenham offers and free bets.

Below, we have taken the hard work out of finding some of the best Cheltenham free bets and offers so you can concentrate on finding your next Cheltenham Festival winner.

Betway

• Cheltenham offer: Earn over £100 in Free Bets
• Qualifying bet: £10
• Minimum odds: 1/1+ (2.0+)
• Maximum winnings: £500,000
• Eligible payment methods: Debit cards

Build your Cheltenham Festival free bets with Betway’s Countdown To Cheltenham. Bet £10 on a selected event each week in the lead-up to the Cheltenham Festival, and you will be credited a £20 free bet into your account as well as £20 into your Cheltenham Festival Free Bet wallet that you will be able to access on the week of the Cheltenham Festival.

The outstanding feature of Betway free bets is that you can split the stake value, getting the most out of your free bets.

SBK

• Cheltenham offer: Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
• Qualifying bet: Minimum £10
• Minimum odds: 1/1
• Maximum winnings: £500,000
• Eligible payment methods: Debit Card or Bank Transfer.

SBK’s welcome offer will give you £40 in free bets when you place a tenner at minimum 1/1 odds. You’ll get £10 bet token you can use on football, £10 multiple token, £5 horse racing multiple token, and a £5 bet builder token for football.

On top of that, SBK’s ‘The Journey To Cheltenham’ offer gives you the chance to bag yourself £20 in free bets exclusively for the Cheltenham Festival. All you must do is place £50 worth of multiples (min 3 legs) to get your hands on your Horse Racing tokens.

Once you reach the required threshold, SBK will credit you with four x £5 Horse Racing Bet tokens.

Tote

• Cheltenham offer: Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
• Qualifying bet: £10+
• Minimum odds: Evs (2.0)
• Maximum winnings: £100,000
• Eligible payment methods: Visa, Mastercard

New customers are eligible for Tote’s free bets offer if they use the “B10G40” promo code on registration. Keep in mind that you have to place a £10 qualifying bet at evens odds or greater, and it can be used on all sports, including horse racing.

However, if you wanted to place an each way bet, then the stake should be £10 min for win and an additional £10 for place. When you qualify, you’ll get a £10 free bet, £20 Tote credit, and 50 spins on Big Bass Bonanza worth £10.

BetMGM

• Cheltenham offer: Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets
• Qualifying bet: £10
• Minimum odds: 1/1 (2.0)
• Maximum winnings: N/A
• Eligible payment methods: Visa, Mastercard.

BetMGM’s welcome offer is perfect for Cheltenham Festival. Open a new account with BetMGM and get £40 worth of free bets. These bets are split into two £10 bets of any type, which includes horse racing at minimum odds of 2/1, and two trebles and above at £10 each with minimum odds per line at 1/2.

bet365

• Cheltenham offer: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
• Qualifying bet: £10+
• Minimum odds: 1/5 (1.20)
• Maximum winnings: £500,000
• Eligible payment methods: Visa, Mastercard.

bet365, one of the leading online horse racing betting sites, will set you up for the Cheltenham Festival with their simple bet £10 get £30 in free bets. This is for new customers only and the free bets can be used on any race at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

LiveScore Bet

• Cheltenham offer: Bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets
• Qualifying bet: £10
• Minimum odds: 1/2 (1.5)
• Maximum winnings: £50,000
• Eligible payment methods: Visa, Mastercard

LiveScoreBet offers a quick and easy way to build up some Cheltenham Festival free bets for new and existing customers and offers Best Odds Guaranteed on top. Place a £10 bet on horse racing from Friday to Sunday on selected weekends, and LiveScoreBet will credit your account with two £10 free bets you can use on all UK and Irish racing, and add a further two £5 free bets on football Bet Builders.

kwiff

• Cheltenham offer: Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets
• Qualifying bet: £10
• Minimum odds: 1/1 (2.0)
• Maximum winnings: £50,000
• Eligible payment methods: Debit Cards

If you want to keep things simple, kwiff’s Cheltenham festival free bets will be just the ticket.. With a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1+ odds you are eligible to get three free bets, £10 for football, £10 for racing, and a £10 acca with at least four selections.

Keep in mind, each way bets don’t qualify for free bets. kwiff doesn’t currently offer Cheltenham Festival markets, but they will become live once declarations are released two days before each race day.

CopyBet

• Cheltenham offer: Bet £20 get £60 in Free Bets
• Qualifying bet: £20
• Minimum odds: (1.9)
• Maximum winnings: £500
• Eligible payment methods: Debit cards

CopyBet has one of the more appealing Cheltenham Festival free bets for new customers. Sign up today, and you will get £60 in free bets credited to your account once you place a £20 bet on any sport. Once your qualifying bet has been settled, your CopyBet account will be credited with £60 in free bets.

Coral

• Cheltenham offer: Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets
• Qualifying bet: £5
• Minimum odds: 1/2
• Maximum winnings: £500,000
• Eligible payment methods: Visa, Mastercard.

If you don’t want to start your Cheltenham Festival journey with big wagers to get free bets, then Coral is the one for you. Place a £5 bet as your first bet and get £20 on free bets credit to your account once your qualifying bet is settled. It is that simple.

BetUK

• Cheltenham offer: Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets
• Qualifying bet: £10
• Minimum odds: 4/5 (1.8)
• Maximum winnings: N/A
• Eligible payment methods: Visa, Mastercard

Get ready for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival with BetUK’s easy-to-claim bet £10, get £30 in free bets welcome offer. Like other bookmakers we include here, one £10 free bet can be used on horse racing, another £10 bet can be used for football, and one £10 on bet builders with more than three selections and odds higher than 3/1.

This BetUK offer is pretty easy to claim and use – just make an account, place your first Cheltenham bet and the free bets for the Festival and your other sports passions will appear.

AK Bets

• Cheltenham offer: 25% Winning Boost up to £100
• Qualifying bet: N/A
• Minimum odds: N/A
• Maximum winnings: £100
• Eligible payment methods: Debit cards

AK Bets are giving you the chance to win up to £100 extra on your first Lucky 15. When signing up for your new AK Bets account, use code ‘AKLUCKY100’ to activate the offer. Then, select 4 horses at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and put them into a Luck 15, and if your bet returns a profit, the AK Bets will give you a 25% winning boost up to £100.

10bet

• Cheltenham offer: 100% Welcome Bonus up to £50
• Qualifying bet: up to £50
• Minimum odds: 4/5 (1.80)
• Maximum winnings: £5,000
• Eligible payment methods: Visa, Mastercard

To claim 10bets’ Cheltenham Festival free bet offer, sign up for a new account using code ‘SPORT‘ to activate the offer. Note that you will have to wager 8x (deposit + bonus) before withdrawing any winnings that are won from free bets placed.

This is not ideal when looking to take advantage of a free bet offer for the Cheltenham Festival, but over the course of the four-day festival, it may pay to opt in.

Special betting offers from Cheltenham Festival 2025

Are you unsure if your bookmaker offers BOG (Best Odds Guaranteed), NRNB (Non-runner No bet), or enhanced odds for the Cheltenham Festival? Well, we have done the hard work for you and compiled a list of who offers the promotions and who doesn’t.

Bookmaker	BOG	Non-runner No bet	Enhanced odds
SBK	No	No	Yes
Tote	Yes	Yes	Yes
bet365	Yes	Yes	Yes
Coral	Yes	Yes	Yes
BetMGM	Yes	Yes	Yes
CopyBet	Yes	Yes	Yes
Betway	Yes	Yes	Yes
Kwiff	No	No	Yes
BetUK	No	Yes	Yes
LiveScoreBet	Yes	Yes	Yes
AK Bets	Yes	Yes	Yes
10bet	No	No	Yes
Fafabet	Yes	Yes	Yes
Betgoodwin	Yes	Yes	Yes
Betzone	Yes	No	Yes

How we ranked the best Cheltenham free bets

To ensure punters get the most value from their Cheltenham Festival betting experience, we ranked free bet offers based on the following key factors:

• Value of free bets – The more opportunities you have to bet, the better. We prioritized offers that provide higher free bet amounts and multiple bonuses, allowing bettors to maximize their stakes across different Cheltenham races.
• Best odds guaranteed (BOG) – Bookmakers that offer BOG for horse racing were given preference, as this ensures punters get best returns on their stake, even if the starting price improves after placing a bet.
• Fair and transparent terms – We focused on promotions with clear and fair terms, ensuring bettors can easily claim and use their free bets without restrictive conditions or excessive wagering requirements.
• Additional Perks and Features – Beyond free bets, we considered bookmakers that offer extra benefits like price boosts, extra places on each-way bets, and cash-back deals, enhancing the overall betting experience.

By evaluating these factors, we curated a list of top Cheltenham free bet offers that provide the best value, fairness, and usability for horse racing enthusiasts.

Types of Cheltenham offers

When it comes to the Cheltenham Festival, there are so many offers that it may be confusing for a casual bettor. So here we have listed and explained some of the most common Cheltenham offers so you can get a better understanding of each one.

• Free bets – Free bets allow the bettor to place bets without actually having to fund their stake – nothing is deducted from their account balance.
• Enhanced odds – They are essentially a promotion that increases the odds available for selected bets.
• Deposit bonuses –  A deposit bonus is a little extra money or a free bet given to new customers after making their first deposit.
• Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) – If selection doesn’t run in a race and the bet is under the non-runner no bet promotion, then the stake is returned to you in full.
• Money back offers – Give you the chance to get your money back if your bet is a loser.
• Extra each-way places – An enhanced place special where bookmakers offer extra places i.e top 4 instead of top 3 in a race.
• Tote betting – all the money staked on each horse in the race is pooled together. After the race, everyone who has backed the winner will receive a share of that pool money, depending on the size of their original stake.
• Faller Insurance – Get reduced odds on a horse, but you get your betting stake back if your selection falls.

How to use Cheltenham free bets

The Cheltenham Festival is the best time to avail of free bets. From sign up free bets, to money back as a free bet offers, you are sure to come across a free bet promotion that will suit your betting needs and it can be straightforward with the right approach.

1. Select a suitable offer – Begin by comparing Cheltenham free bet promotions from bookies we list here. Prioritize offers with lower minimum odds required and more free bets for horse racing available.
2. Register an account – Visit your chosen bookmaker’s website and click “Join” or “Sign Up” (typically found on the homepage). Complete the registration process and provide required details like email, phone number, and date of birth.
3. Review deposit requirements – Before funding your account, confirm the minimum deposit needed to activate the free bet. Note that some payment methods may exclude you from bonuses. You can always opt for debit cards if unsure.
4. Enter a promo code (if applicable) – During registration or deposit, input any required bonus code to ensure your free bet is triggered.
5. Place your qualifying bet – Wager your initial deposit on a Cheltenham race or event, adhering to the promotion’s rules (e.g., minimum odds, specific markets).
6. Activate your free bet – After settling your qualifying bet, the free bet will credit to your account.
7. Track expiry dates and restrictions – Free bets often expire within 7 days or post-Cheltenham. Check the offer’s timeline and any wagering rules to avoid forfeiting rewards.
8. Contact support for issues – If your free bet doesn’t appear, use the bookmaker’s live chat or email support.

Betting on Cheltenham Festival Championship races with free bets

The Cheltenham Festival, which is held over four days, will host 28 races (7 a day), in which the best of the UK and Ireland go head to head in a war of attrition.

Each of the four days has what is known as a Championship race. Day one’s championship race is the Champion Hurdle, where the best two-mile hurdles go head to head.

Day two’s highlight is the Queen Mother Champion Chase. This is the speed test of all speed tests. The best two-mile chasers will charge from the drop of the flag to the top of the Cheltenham hill until one is crowned the Champion Chaser.

On day three, we move from the old course to the new, where stamina will come into play. The Stayers Hurdle takes centre stage for the best three-mile hurdlers in the UK and Ireland, all vying for greatness.

Day four, or simply known as Gold Cup Day, is the day everyone wants to attend. The best of the best-staying chasers will take each other on in this stamina-sapping test where only the greats rise to the top. Will anyone be able to stop Galopin Des Champs from claiming his third Gold Cup in a row?

How to pick a horse to bet on at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival

Picking a horse to win at the Cheltenham Festival can be hard. But if you follow these 5 simple tips, you will be on the right path to finding the next Cheltenham Festival winning bet.

1. Know the form: It’s important to know the form of the horses coming into the Cheltenham Festival. Take your time to research horses’ current form and their form at previous Cheltenham Festivals (if they have run at a previous Cheltenham Festival).
2. Ground conditions: Knowing the ground conditions is key. If the ground is officially good to soft, then some horses will perform better on going such as that, and the same goes for soft or heavy ground. Knowing what ground best suits your horse will help you make an informed betting decision.
3. Jockeys: Jockeys are vital to every horse’s chance, and knowing who is the best can always point you in the right direction of who to bet on at Cheltenham.
4. Trainers’ Form: Trainers come in and out of form at certain parts of the season, and knowing who peaks at the Cheltenham Festival and who has peaked before the Festival is good knowledge, as some trainers will target certain races throughout the year.
5. Top Tipsters: Listening to people in the know can always give you the edge over bookmakers. Respected tipsters will have done all the necessary and more studying to produce the best horse racing tips for the Cheltenham Festival.

Popular markets for Cheltenham betting

The Cheltenham Festival betting markets are endless and can confuse newcomers to horse racing, so here we list the top betting markets for the Cheltenham Festival.

• Win: The simplest market to understand. Pick a horse, bet on it to win, and if it is lucky enough to win its race, then you will get a return.
• Each way: This is a great Cheltenham betting market, especially for the handicaps. Pick a horse and bet on it each way, and you will have more chances to get a return as you will have more places to play for. i.e. if you back a horse each way and it finishes in the top 3 in an 8-runner race, then you will get each way part of the bet if it finishes 2nd or 3rd, but if you win, you will get the win part, as well as, each way part of the bet.
• Betting Without The Favourite: At the Cheltenham Festival, there will be what is called ‘odds-on favourites’. These horses will likely be very hard to beat, but you can still bet on that race. A new market where the favourite is taken out of the betting and a new betting market is formed. To win, your selection needs to finish 2nd to the favourite or finish 1st.
• Distance Betting: If you think your horse will win by lengths or just one length, you have the option of picking the lengths. If it wins by your selected lengths or more, you will get paid out on the bigger odds that you have backed it at.

2025 Cheltenham Festival Schedule

Day 1 – Champion Day – Tuesday 11 March 2025

• 13:20 – The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m
• 14:00 – The My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m
• 14:40 – The Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m abt 1f
• 15:20 – The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1) 2m abt 4f
• 16:00 – The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m
• 16:40 – The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap) 2m
• 17:20 – The National Hunt Novices’ Chase (Novices’ Steeple Chase) (Novices’ Handicap) 3m abt 6f

Day 2 – Style Wednesday – Wednesday 12 March 2025

• 13:20 – The Turners Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1) 2m abt 5f
• 14:00 – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase 3m
• 14:40 – The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap) 2m abt 5f
• 15:20 – The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase 3m abt 5½f
• 16:00 – The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (Grade 1) Abt 2m
• 16:40 – The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Premier Handicap) 2m
• 17.20 – The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1) 2m

Day 3 – St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday 13 March 2025

• 13:20 – The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 1f
• 14:00 – The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 2m 4f
• 14:40 – The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) (Premier Handicap) 3m
• 15:20 – The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f
• 16:00 – The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m
• 16:40 – The TrustATrader Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap) 2m 4f
• 17:20 – The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145) 3m 2f

Day 4: Gold Cup Day – Friday 14 March 2025

• 13:20 – The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m
• 14:00 – The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap) 2m
• 14:40 – The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f
• 15:20 – The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1) 3m
• 16:00 – The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 3m 2f
• 16:40 – The St. James’s Place Festival Hunters Chase 3m 2f
• 17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (0-145) 2m 4f

Q&A about Cheltenham betting and free bets

Listed are some of the most searched questions on Cheltenham Festival betting and free bets, with answers to make your experience more enjoyable.

1. What is a Cheltenham Festival free bet?

A Cheltenham Festival free bet is a free bet that can be used on any race at the Cheltenham Festival.

2. What are the best Cheltenham Festival offers? 

It depends on what you are looking for, but, ‘money back as a free bet’ and ‘bet and get’ offers are among the most popular Cheltenham Festival offers.

3. Are there any restrictions on Cheltenham free bets?

Yes, bookmakers can restrict free bets. Check the T&Cs on each free bet, as they may differ between bookmakers.

4. Are there any Cheltenham offers for existing customers?

Yes, you will find Cheltenham Festival offers available for existing customers.

5. Is there live streaming for the Cheltenham Festival?

Most bookmakers offer the option of live-streaming every race of the Cheltenham Festival. However, some have different terms for watching each race, so be sure to check with your online bookmaker.

6. How much can I win with a Cheltenham free bet?

Picking the right horses for the right race, and following trends. For example, Galopin Des Champs, Gaelic Warrior, and Protecktorat are three of many who won at last season’s Cheltenham Festival and are ones who may be able to win again this season.

EVERY parent knows how expensive it can be restocking your baby bag.

One mum shared the impressive deal she picked up at her local Boots.

Posting on the Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Home Bargains UK, the savvy shopper revealed the details of her haul.

She advised her fellow mums to nab the reduced baby essentials as soon as possible.

The poster shared pictures of her buys, which included multiple packs of baby soothers.

She revealed that the two-packs scanned for just 15p each.

The Mam Original Dummies are currently available in packs of two for £8.30 from the Boots website.

According to the mum, the double pack deal is “great for our holiday and to give to friends too”.

She purchased a total of three packs at the reduced rate.

These dummies are available in starter soothers for ages 0 to two months, and two to six months, and six months and up.

The Boots fan also picked up an impressive deal on children’s sun cream.

She found the Child’s Farm 50+ SPF Sun Cream for just £1.50 a bottle.

The same 100 mililitre spray bottle is currently listed for £12 on the Boots website.

According to the mum, the deals were available in both the clearance section and on the regular shelves.

And there are other baby buys on offer at these reduced rates.

“Other Child Farm products were about to be put up on the shelf at half price so not only their sun cream was half price,” the poster revealed.

Facebook users shared their thoughts on the deals in the comments section.

“15p for dummies, wish we found these bargains,” wrote one impressed parent.

Another mum said she planned to “run after work” to pick up the deals.

“I will have to have a look,” commented third Facebook user.

Other parents shared the deals they picked up on baby essentials from Asda.

One pregnant mum shared all the bargains you can nab while expecting.

A GARDENING expert has revealed the plant that every gardener should plant, claiming it is “better than insect repellent” when it comes to keeping pests at bay.

Chris Ware, gardening expert at Climbing Wild Gardeners, says if he could only plant one flower, it would have to be visually stunning, easy to grow, edible, and capable of protecting other plants. 

Getty - Contributor

Gardening expert Chris Ware has revealed what to plant to get rid of pests[/caption]

According to Chris, one flower fits the bill perfectly: the calendula, also known as the pot marigold.

Chris describes the calendula as a “secret weapon” in his garden, explaining that it offers an incredible range of benefits for any outdoor space.

“Calendulas act as a magnet for beneficial insects,” Chris explains. 

“They attract pollinators like bees, which help increase the yield of fruiting plants like tomatoes and beans. 

“But what’s even more impressive is their ability to draw in natural pest predators like ladybirds, lacewings, and hoverflies, which feast on harmful pests such as aphids.”

A study cited by Chris found that cabbages planted alongside calendulas suffered significantly fewer pest issues, including fewer aphids, caterpillars, and flea beetles.

“Intercropping with calendulas can dramatically reduce pest numbers,” Chris says. 

“I always recommend planting them near members of the cabbage family, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. They not only help protect crops but also add a splash of cheerful color to the garden.”

Beyond their pest-repelling properties, calendulas also have a variety of other uses. 

Their petals are commonly used in cooking for their slightly peppery taste, and they are a popular ingredient in skincare products due to their soothing properties.

“You can make your own calendula oil at home,” Chris suggests. 

“Just dry the flowers and steep them in olive oil for about a month. It’s great for calming irritated or sunburnt skin.”

With their beauty, practicality, and resilience, calendulas are an all-round powerhouse for any garden. 

As Chris puts it, “Think of them as an insurance policy against pests—without the need for harsh chemicals. They truly are one of the most useful flowers you can grow.”

CHRIS DOBEY embarks on possibly the greatest week of his life, one that will consist of darts, football, horseracing and beer.

Hollywood, 34, is hoping to boost his bank balance at two Players Championship events in Leicester on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Getty

Chris Dobey is aiming to end his Premier League duck in Nottingham[/caption]

PA

Dobey said he would happily spend £10,000 on his action-packed week if he wins in Nottingham[/caption]

After that, he will try to break his Premier League duck in Nottingham on Thursday night – there is £10,000 available – but he must get past Rob Cross in the first round at the Motorpoint Arena.

The next day he heads to Gloucestershire for a jolly to watch the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the high point of the National Hunt season.

And then it is the big one – the countdown to Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday March 16.

It is no great surprise, given how momentous next weekend could be, that he will not be going to ProTours in Hildesheim in Germany.

Dobey, the world no.8, said: “It could be one of the best weeks ever! I’ll happily spend the full £10,000 (winnings) on it.

“If I can win that on that Thursday night, I’ll be one happy person, especially going into the weekend.

“I’m definitely going to the game.

“I’m in with the fans this time. I did that the last time they played in a Cup final. I wanted to be with the atmosphere.

Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets

“There’s a group of us that go to home and away games and we’re all going together.

“We’ll be at Wembley’s BOXPARK before the match as well, spend a few hours there, soak in the atmosphere.

“We’ll probably be at Covent Garden or Leicester Square beforehand on the Saturday as well.

“Take in every little bit of atmosphere and get ready for the big one on the Sunday.”

A DIY enthusiast has revealed that she was quoted £600 for a kitchen makeover, so decided to do it herself on the cheap.

So if the cost of living crisis has made your purse feel tighter than ever before, but you’re keen to give your home a quick and easy overhaul, then you’ve come to the right place.

Facebook / diyonabudgetofficial

Facebook / diyonabudgetofficial

Facebook / diyonabudgetofficial

Social media users think Maria’s kitchen looks ‘amazing’[/caption]

Maria Quaife was able to transform her kitchen from drab to fab, all thanks to a lick of paint.

Thrilled with her DIY overhaul, Maria took to social media and posted on DIY On A Budget, a private Facebook group with 2.2million members, to share a before and after look at her jaw-dropping project – and it’s left many open-mouthed.

The DIY fan, who is from the UK, explained: “I was quoted around £600 to redecorate my kitchen and with it being just after Christmas I didn’t want to fork that out.”

As a result, she decided that to keep costs down, she would do it herself.

Now, Maria’s kitchen has been given the ultimate transformation, as she continued: “£30 and six hours later and I have transformed it myself.”

Maria confirmed that to transform her space, she used a tin of GoodHome Kitchen Antibes Matt Emulsion Paint, which you can buy from B&Q for just £20.

As well as this, she also used shelf brackets which she got for £5, and paint brushes, which also cost her just a fiver.

Not only this, but she also used an old bookcase to make shelves and got her blinds on a budget from Amazon. 

Overjoyed with her new kitchen, Maria explained: “I didn’t prep the doors at all, other than wipe them down with normal Dettol and a sponge to get any general marks off. 

“The cupboards were painted in a matt finish before so I just painted over them and in the gaps of the doors as I didn’t want white around them.” 

DIY fans beam

Facebook users were left beaming with Maria’s kitchen renovation and many eagerly flocked to the comments to express this.

One person said: “This is amazing.”

As they were professionals I guess they would have sanded, primer and all that stuff. I just slapped it on straight from the tin

Maria Quaife

Another added: “Looks good just proves what you can do with a bit of paint and hard work.” 

A third commented: “Wow you have done a fantastic job, well done it’s gorgeous.”

Whilst someone else beamed: “You’ve done a lovely job! Love the colour!” 

At the same time, another DIY fan praised: “Well done for not giving in to those cowboys! Beautifully done.”

Wow you have done a fantastic job, well done it’s gorgeous

Facebook user

Not only this, but one Facebook user gasped: “£600 to paint a kitchen is daylight robbery in my view.”

To this, Maria agreed: “My thoughts too! But they were all coming in around that figure. 

“As they were professionals I guess they would have sanded, primer and all that stuff. I just slapped it on straight from the tin.”

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club

THE Met Office has issued a warning for “dense fog”, sparking havoc for rush-hour commuters – just hours after temperatures hit a balmy 19C.

The cloud of fog, set to sweep parts of the UK this morning, could cause widespread delays or cancellations, Brits have been warned.

Alamy

Fog is set to sweep the UK this morning[/caption]

MET Office

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning[/caption]

A yellow weather warning was announced last night, covering northeast England.

Affected areas include Middlesborough, Newcastle, York, Sunderland and Hull.

The warning will remain in force until mid-morning today.

Travellers have been warned the conditions “may lead to some challenging travel conditions”.

Delays to bus and train services should be expected – while flights and ferries may also be delayed or even cancelled.

Speaking last night, the Met Office said: “Fog will continue to develop across parts of northeast England, Yorkshire and Humberside through Sunday night.

“Some dense fog is likely in places with the visibility falling to 50 metres at times. Fog will lift during Monday morning.”

The weather agency advised Brits to check road conditions before driving, leave extra journey time and even change plans if necessary.

It also urged motorists to check their fog lights to ensure their safety.

It comes after Brits enjoyed summer-worthy sunshine over the end of last week and the weekend.

On Thursday, the highest temperature of the year so far was recorded in Santon Downham, Suffolk – with a tropical 19C.

Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon described the conditions as “very pleasant”.

However, before this warm spell, Brits saw another patch of “freezing fog”.

The Met Office urged drivers to be careful, describing “dense freezing fog patches around in the south”.

A severe warning for fog remained in place across part of the south coast until Wednesday.

It stated: “Patches of dense, locally freezing, fog have formed across the warning area, reducing visibility to less than 100 m in places.

“This will make for some tricky driving conditions.”

VLADIMIR Putin has expelled two British diplomats after reportedly accusing them of being spies.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced a pair of workers connected to Britain’s embassy in Moscow have just two weeks to leave the country, Russian state news agency TASS reported.

AFP

Vladimir Putin has expelled two British diplomats in Moscow after Russia accused them of being spies[/caption]

East2West

Both individuals accused of spying had connections to the UK embassy in Moscow[/caption]

Both individuals had deliberately declared false information about themselves when entering Russia, the FSB claimed.

They were also accused of “intelligence and subversive activities that threaten Russia’s security”, according to local media.

The Kremlin security service added that “both will be stripped of their accreditation and must leave Russia within two weeks”.

The Brits are believed to be a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old women.

A senior British diplomat was seen entering and leaving the Russian foreign ministry as he was informed of the serious explosions. 

Just days earlier, a Russian spy ring who carried out espionage operations for Putin’s regime in Britain while bedding each other were caught.

Two women, known as the “killer sexy brunettes,” were in a love triangle with a leading member of the cell of six Bulgarian spies living and working in the UK.

The group plotted honeypot stings and conducted spying missions on behalf of Russia across Europe from Britain for lavish sums of money.

The spy ring was run by former city tech worker Orlin Roussev, 46, and targeted Putin’s opponents as well as assisting the Russian war effort against Ukraine.

Glamorous lab assistant Katrin Ivanova, 33, and beautician Vanya Gaberova, 30, were today convicted at the Old Bailey of espionage offences under the Official Secrets Act.

Gaberova’s painter and decorator ex-boyfriend Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, of Enfield, North London, was also convicted of spying charges.

The issue of Russian spies are feared to be a growing trend, says counter-terror chief Commander Dominic Murphy.

In September 2024, the accreditation of six diplomats were also terminated.

Later on in November, a second secretary of the British embassy’s department was ordered to leave Russia. 

East2West

Days ago, Russian spy Vanya Gaberova was found guilty of espionage on British soil[/caption]

PA

Katrin Ivanova was also convicted[/caption]

Metro has had an exclusive look inside what was once a mansion called Camelot.