Cheltenham Christmas Meeting Best Bets


Cheltenham Christmas Meeting Best Bets


The home of the National Hunt game is getting into the festive spirit early with the latest edition of the excellent Christmas meeting. Here, we run through the quality Saturday card and pick out our best betting options – including in the huge handicap affair of the December Gold Cup.

1:15 Quintessentially Handicap Chase

The Joe Tizzard-trained Triple Time doesn’t run in this contest for the handicap chasers, but he holds the key to finding the winner. Of the seven runners set to line up, no fewer than six have finished behind Triple Trade in their previous outings this season – beaten by varying distances and under a range of weight disparities.

Pouring over the numbers reveals the Harry Fry representative In Excelsis Deo comes out best under these conditions. A repeat of his effort when staying on from a mile back to grab third at this track in October may be enough, but there are reasons to suspect he may step up on that effort. Firstly, that outing represented his seasonal return, so he can be expected to strip fitter. Secondly, as a five-year-old making only his sixth start over fences, he is open to more natural progression than most of his rivals. Of the others, Prince Escalus looks a little overpriced at around the 16/1 mark, but with only two places to play for, the best bet is to keep things simple and side with the jolly.

  • Best Bet - In Excelsis Deo to win @ 2/1 with Betvictor

1:50 Virgin Bet December Gold Cup

Next up, the big one, as 12 go to post for one of the headline handicaps of the winter months. Dan Skelton’s Thunder Rock has proved all the rage in the betting, and it’s not hard to see why, with his second to Datsalrightgino last season and verdict over Mahler Mission advertised in no uncertain terms, with that duo going on to finish first and second in the Coral Gold Cup. However, any value in his price has long since departed, and he hasn’t convinced us with his jumping in two previous outings around here.

Paul Nicholls is a man to fear in any big Saturday event, and his Monmiral makes the shortlist on his first start since a wind-op. A price of around 11/2 looks fair, but no more than that, and the horse who looks to have been a little overlooked is Torn And Frayed from the Nigel Twiston-Davies operation. Getting in off a mark of 136, he is handicapped to go very close, considering he landed a Grade 3 handicap over track and trip by six lengths off 130 back in January 2022. He has had his issues since but showed plenty of life on his first start in 658 days last time out – travelling smoothly into contention before a lack of fitness set in as he fell 2 from home. There was plenty of encouragement to draw from that, and, sure to strip fitter for a yard in flying form, he can hit the frame. Take the 18/1 with Betfred, who are paying each way on the first four.

  • Best Bet - Torn and Frayed each way @ 18/1 with Betfred

2:25 Favourite From The Sun Now Daily Handicap Chase

This looks like a cracker of a staying chase. Broadway Bob and Malina Girl were hugely impressive winners at this track last time out and have unsurprisingly made their way towards the head of the market. As likeable as those efforts were, the race did fall apart around Broadway Bob, whilst Malina Girl has a significant hike in the handicap to contend with.

Running off 139, we suspect the best-handicapped horse in this field may be the Venetia Williams representative, Easy As That. The angle here is that the eight-year-old has long looked like a horse who may thrive over a stamina-sapping distance, but has not yet had the chance to prove it. Doing all of his best work late when cruising to victory over 2m5½f at Haydock last season, he caught our eye when running on from off the TV screen to grab sixth in the hugely competitive Paddy Power Gold Cup over 2m4f in November. Moving up to 3m2f here, this could be the time to catch him.

  • Best Bet - Easy As That to win @ 5/1 with Ladbrokes

3:00 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

Last but not least, we like the look of an each-way punt in this event for the up-and-coming staying hurdlers. The obvious stumbling block here is the Nicky Henderson-trained favourite Shanagh Bob, who could be anything following a solid success on his first start for the Lambourn operator. He is, however, priced accordingly and worth taking on as he steps up from a Class 4 Novice to this high-profile Grade 2 affair.

Cadell and Kerryhill bring solid form to the table, and Destroytheevidence appears tough as old boots, but the one we like at the prices is the John McConnell runner, Moon D’Orange. Such is the strength of Irish racing at present that anything making the trip is invariably worth a second look. Being by Spanish Moon and out of Dylan Thomas mare, this one boasts a stout stying pedigree, and we loved the way he found a second wind to run on for third at Thurles last time out. Cheekpieces go on for the first time ahead of this assignment, and he looks just the sort to relish the Cheltenham Hill.

  • Best Bet - Moon D’Orange each way@ 12/1 with Coral

Top 20 Betting Offers

Betway
Betway
£30 Free Bet Claim Offer

*New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Earn a £30 Uber Eats Voucher on successful Acca qualification. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply

Tote
Tote
Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses Claim Offer

New customers online only. Valid with code B10G50 on registration. Bet min £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Sports Bet, 2 x £/€5 Sports Acca and 50 Free Spins. 7-day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org.

talkSPORTBET
talkSPORTBET
Get up to £40 Football Free Bets Claim Offer

18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

Coral
Coral
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. 1st Deposit & Bet £/€10+ at min odds 1/2 on Sports within 14 days of account reg & Get 4x £10 Free Bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days) Max 1 Free Bet per player. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.

BetMGM
BetMGM
Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets Claim Offer

New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Betfred
Betfred
Bet £10 and get £50 in Free Bets Claim Offer

New customers only. Register, deposit with 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 exclusions & T&Cs Apply.

Unibet
Unibet
Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses Claim Offer

18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 sports free bet and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply. #AD

Bet442
Bet442
Bet £20, Get £20 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+. New customers only. Deposit and place first bet of £20 or more at min odds Evens (2.0). Get £20 in Free Bets credited as x1 £10 Free Bet and x2 £5 Bet Builder Free BetsT&Cs Apply. Please gamble responsibly.

BetMaze
BetMaze
Bet £20 Get £20 Free Bet Claim Offer

18+ New customers only. Min deposit £20. Min Wager £20 at min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max free bet £20. T&Cs apply begambleaware.

Midnite
Midnite
Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+ New customers only. Place a £5+ bet at minimum odds of 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £25 in Free Sports Bets + 50 Free Spins (valued at £0.10 each), valid for 7 days on selected bets and games. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org

QuickBet
QuickBet
Bet £10 Get a £10 Free Bet Claim Offer

#AD | Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100 | Min. deposit is £10 | No max cash out | Wagering is 40x bonus | Maximum bet with an active bonus is £5 | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill & Neteller deposits excluded for welcome bonus | Cashback when offered, applies to deposits where no bonus is included | Cashback is cash with no restrictions | T&C's apply |Free bet: Min odds: 2.0 - Free bet value will be deducted from free bet winnings | 18+ | BeGambleAware.org | Gambling is addictive, please gamble responsibly!

LiveScore Bet
LiveScore Bet
Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets Claim Offer

*New members only. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+

Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+. New UK & ROI customers only . Certain deposit methods & bet types excl . Min first £10 win or E/W bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 & get 4 x £10 free bets . Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&C apply

10bet
10bet
100% Welcome Bonus up to £50 Claim Offer

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

William Hill
William Hill
Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+. Play Safe. Online only. For new UK register customers using promo code G40. Deposit & place £10 cash single bet (min odds 1/2) on sportsbook (excl. Virtuals). Get £40 in Free Bets (4x£10), valid for sportsbook (excl. Virtuals), 7 days expiry, must use in full (£10 each). Not valid with deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay or WH PLUS Card. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. www.gambleaware.org #ad

32Red
32Red
150% Casino Bonus up to £150! Claim Offer

18+. BeGambleAware.org. New customers only. Min. £10 deposit, debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, 7 day expiry. See full terms. #AD

SportingIndex
SportingIndex
Bet £10 Get £20 Claim Offer

New customers place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Get 2 x £10 free bets. 18+ begambleaware

BetZone
BetZone
Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets Claim Offer

18+ | New Customers Only | Promo Code: WELCOME10 | Place a single £10 bet within 3 calendar days of registration. Bet must settle on the same day of placement | Min odds Evens (2.00) | Get 2 x £5 UK/Irish Horse Racing Free Bets + 2 x £5 Football Free Bets | Free Bets valid for 7 days | Max win £250 | T&Cs apply | GB residents only | Gamble responsibly

BetWright
BetWright
Bet £10, Get a £10 Free Bet Claim Offer

New Customers use code EPL10. Deposit £10 and place a bet of £10 on any Premier League Outrights 2025/26 market at minimum odds of 2.0. Free Bet credited within 24 hours and must be wagered on English Premier League markets only. Full Terms apply. Bangers N'Cash rewards are a separate promotional scheme and must be opted into during the weekly promotional period via the BetWright Rewards Section. 18+ begambleaware.

Bresbet
Bresbet
Bet £10 Get a £10 Free Bet Claim Offer

T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place a single win-only bet of £10 or more with odds of evens (2.00) or greater to qualify. Money back as £10 in free bets. Free bet is credited the day after the qualifying bet has settled. Must use code B10G10 when creating an account.