The highlight of the National Hunt Calendar is always the Cheltenham Festival, and excitement levels are building as Day 1 of the 2026 edition approaches.
This year’s Festival is taking place from March 9-12, and througout the event, NetBet will be offering the best horse racing odds – and you can also check out all the latest Cheltenham odds on our exclusive page.
To help whet the appetite further, here are some online betting picks for Cheltenham, starting with a Day 2 outsider!
Written by Jake Wilkes
*All odds are subject to change
Tuesday 10/03 | 16:40: Plate Handicap Chase
Pick: Booster Bob @ 20/1
Booster Bob has serious ability, but is also inconsistent. He recorded a remarkable victory in the Greatwood Gold Cup last year after being detached, and progressed further to win the Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase nine months later. He was treated for ulcers after finishing fifth when last seen over course and distance, and will head to the Plate as a live each-way contender. It is an incredibly competitive race, but that encourages me more to take a swing at a big price.
Wednesday 11/03 | 14:00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Pick: Wendigo @ 6/1
Fifth in last year’s Albert Bartlett, Wendigo could have finished a lot closer had he not been violently hampered as they began to quicken. He has taken his form to another level over fences, winning the Grade 2 John Francome at Newbury before finishing third in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. He is reliable and looks sure to give his running in the Brown Advisory, and with question marks about some of the rivals in this race, his consistency could see him greatly rewarded. Jamie Snowden has had two Cheltenham Festival winners, and this looks his best chance of a third for some time.
Friday 13/03 | 14:40: Mares’ Chase
Pick: Panic Attack @ 5/1
I think Panic Attack in the Mares’ Chase is not only the best bet of Friday, but the best of the entire meeting – and is readily available at a great each-way price. It is remarkable the job Dan Skelton has done with her since she joined from David Pipe, winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Hennessy at Cheltenham and Newbury respectively. A listed win in January was a perfect prep run, and she would not have to improve much more to be competitive at the Festival. If she gets round, I struggle to see her finishing outside the top 3 at the very least.
Friday 13/03 | 16:40: Hunters’ Chase
Pick: It’s On The Line @ 5/1
The Hunters’ Chase is a race I haven’t spent much time fantasising about, but after backing It’s On The Line in the last three renewals, and him finishing second every single time, we might as well go again. It is always a largely frustrating watch as he races in snatches, and is constantly on and off the bridle. But he is talented and has more than enough ability to win a race of this nature. I’m happy to ignore his latest point-to-point defeat, more for my own sanity, simply because it was a typical It’s On The Line performance. He shouldn’t be outside the places, and looks close to a banker for a placepot.
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