/ Editor / 02 January 2010 /

The Cheltenham Festival is the greatest National Hunt racing event in the calendar and an opportunity for punters the world over to take advantage of the tremendous value Cheltenham odds on offer from a wide variety of sources.

Not only does Cheltenham racecourse provide the perfect setting for the best jumps racing in the world, but the Cheltenham races are the focus of one of the most eagerly anticipated betting events of the whole sporting calendar.

The sheer volume of runners at the four-day fixture, coupled with the high quality of competition, means that horses which normally race at prohibitive odds in run-of-the-mill races, suddenly become available to bet at the most attractive of odds due to the many opponents which might also be considered to have a solid chance of victory.

Cheltenham odds are available for all the major races from virtually 12 months prior to the actual event itself! Known as 'ante-post' odds, it is possible to get a very good bet often at much bigger odds than on the day itself, if you believe that the horse in question is likely to take its chance in your nominated race.

The Cheltenham Festival betting markets are the subject of much debate and opinion, with individuals and betting companies often taking wildly differing views on the relative chances of each runner. As such, like in any other marketplace, the advice is to shop around and don't take the first offer made to you. It is quite likely that a horse offered by one firm at 4/1 will be available at 6/1 elsewhere, or a horse offered at 25/1 could be 50/1 with other firms.

Another attractive feature of betting at Cheltenham Festival is that the strength of the market means that your bet is nearly always likely to find a home. Whether you are considering betting a large amount on a short-priced favourite, or a small amount on a 200/1 shot, there will invariably be a betting company prepared to accommodate you.

Over the years, many popular Cheltenham Festival horses have won time and again at the fixture, sometimes as well-backed favourites, but there have also been famous occasions when rank outsiders have come up trumps. In recent decades, the 100/1 victory of Norton's Coin in the 1990 renewal, 1992 winner Cool Ground (25/1), and Cool Dawn (25/1), have shown that Cheltenham history can be made by horses at particularly appealing Cheltenham odds.

It is not only the major Grade 1 events that offer great opportunities to bet at top value Cheltenham odds; the major handicap races also provide tremendous value if you are shrewd enough to nominate the winner, whether it be on the day or ante-post.

The 2010 Cheltenham Festival is scheduled to take place between March 16-19 and betting is already available for all the major races, including the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, World Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold.

For all the latest on the 2010 Cheltenham Festival then please click here and check out our dedicated Cheltenham Festival Betting and Tips page

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