Festival Plate Odds, Tips, Free Bets & Betting Offers
Craig Jones
Better known by its former title, the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup, this two-mile four-and-a-half-furlong race is a valuable handicap chase with £120,000 prize money.
The Festival Plate is always a hotly contested race, with some big-priced winners in recent years, showing the kind of test that punters face here trying to find the winner.
Read on for Festival Plate betting odds, tips, and Cheltenham free bets for the 2026 race.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Tuesday, March 10th - 4:40pm |
| Winner’s Prize: | £67,524 |
| Distance: | Two-miles & four-furlongs |
| Race Type: | Grade 3 Chase |
| Age: | 5-Years+ |
| Course: | New Course |
| Weights: | Handicap |
| Where to Watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
Festival Plate Betting Offers & Free Bets
This race comes towards the end of the first day at the Cheltenham Festival and below we've got some great free bets that are still available to use at the meeting.
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Festival Plate Betting Odds
A fiercely competitive heat, we've got the latest odds from betting sites for the Festival Plate below.
Festival Plate Tips
PEAKY BOY (Each-Way) is worth a second look despite unseating early on his return at Newcastle after a long absence. A previous course-and-distance winner over fences who handles these conditions well, he can outrun his odds if bouncing back to form.
Recommendation: Peaky Boy (Each-Way) - 16/1 with BoyleSports (6 places)
Check out Alan's and Charlie's Cheltenham Festival tips via the links below.
What Happened in 2025?
The 2025 winner came for JP McManus, as Jagwar found a way through the pack to claim victory.
Festival Plate Key Stats
- Just five of the last 14 winners of this race have been from Ireland
- 11 of the last 12 winners had at least one win over hurdles
- 10 of the last 12 winners had at least three runs that season
Previous Winners of the Festival Plate
Check out the last five winners of the Festival Plate in the table below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Jagwar |
| 2024 | Shakem Up'Arry |
| 2023 | Seddon |
| 2022 | Coole Cody |
| 2021 | The Shunter |
FAQs
When is the Festival Plate?
The Festival Plate is the sixth race on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival - this year, on Tuesday, March 10th.
What distance is the Festival Plate run over?
The Festival Plate is run over a distance of about 2 miles and 4½ furlongs, with 17 fences jumped.
More Cheltenham Tips
Check out our tips for all the other Cheltenham Day 3 races:
