Festival Hunters’ Chase Tips, Odds, Free Bets, Betting Offers & Preview
Craig Jones
The Festival Hunters’ Chase is run over the same gruelling three-mile two-furlong distance as the Gold Cup and is the amateur’s version of the race. It’s open to qualifying amateur riders and horses aged five and over.
In fact, its full name is actually the St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters Chase, although has been more commonly known as the Foxhunters’ Chase in recent times.
For a horse to be eligible for the race, it must have - finished first or second twice in hunter chases, won two open point-to-point races or won one open point-to-point race and finished second or first in a hunter chase.
Read on for Festival Hunters’ Chase betting odds, tips and Cheltenham free bets for the 2026 renewal.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Friday, March 13th - 4:40pm |
| Winner’s Prize: | £50,000 |
| Distance: | Three-miles & two-and-a-half furlongs |
| Race Type: | Hunter Chase |
| Age: | 5-Years+ |
| Course: | New Course |
| Weights: | 11st 12lbs (5yo), 12st 0lb (6yo+), 7lb allowance for mares |
| Where to Watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
Festival Hunters’ Chase Betting Offers & Free Bets
The penultimate race of the Cheltenham Festival sees a number of free bets to be used only for new accounts in top bookmakers.
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Foxhunters’ Chase Betting Odds
A chance for some lesser known names of the sport to make a name for themselves, and latest odds from betting sites can be found below.
Festival Hunters’ Chase Tips
IT'S ON THE LINE (Nap) has finished runner-up in this race for the past three seasons and looks primed to go one better, finally. Proven on softer ground and still only nine, the Emmet Mullins-trained runner should be right in the mix again.
Recommendation: It's On The Line (Nap) (Each-Way) - 11/2 with bet365 (4 places)
Check out Alan's and Charlie's Cheltenham Festival tips via the links below.
What Happened in 2025?
It was one for Oasis fans in 2025, as Wonderwall came home in front to lift the Foxhunters' Chase trophy.
Festival Hunters’ Chase Key Stats
- 11 of the last 12 winners were aged eight or older
- Eight of the previous 12 winners of the Foxhunters’ Chase had at least one previous run at Cheltenham
- Ten of the last 12 winners had a rating of 134 or higher
Previous Winners of the Foxhunters’ Chase
Check out the most recent winners of the Festival Hunters’ Chase in the table below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Wonderwall |
| 2024 | Sine Nomine |
| 2023 | Premier Magic |
| 2022 | Billaway |
| 2021 | Porlock Bay |
FAQs
When is the Festival Hunters' Chase?
The Festival Hunters' Chase takes place on the fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival. It’s the sixth race on the card and takes place immediately after the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In 2026 it is scheduled for Friday, March 13th, at 4:40pm.
More Cheltenham Tips
Check out our tips for all the other Cheltenham Day 4 races:
