Guaranteed Return Bets At Cheltenham Can It Be Done

Whataretheodds » Cheltenham Festival » Guaranteed Return Bets At Cheltenham Can It Be Done

I’ve spent a lot of time studying the Cheltenham Festival markets, and if there’s one question I hear more than any other, it’s whether it’s possible to place a bet with a guaranteed return. The short, honest answer is no, it cannot be done. The very nature of betting on horse racing, with its inherent unpredictability, means there is always risk involved. However, from my experience, there are strategies that can significantly increase your chances of a return and create a situation that feels a lot safer than a simple win-or-lose gamble.

The closest thing I’ve found to a “guaranteed return” strategy is the disciplined use of each-way betting in the right races. This is my go-to method for building a more resilient betting portfolio. An each-way bet is essentially two bets: one on the horse to win, and one on the horse to place (usually top 4, 5, or 6 depending on the race). If my horse places, I get a return, which can often cover my total stake or even yield a small profit.

The key to making this work is targeting the big-field handicaps where bookmakers offer enhanced place terms. Races like the Coral Cup, the Martin Pipe Handicap, or the County Hurdle often have 20+ runners, and many bookies will pay out on the first 5, 6, or even 7 places. By backing a horse each-way at 16/1 or 20/1 in these races, I can secure a very healthy return if it merely finishes in the placed positions, let alone if it wins. It’s not a guarantee, but it massively widens the target I need to hit.

Another tactic I use is hedging my bets, particularly with ante-post positions. If I’ve backed a horse at a big price months in advance and its odds have collapsed as the race approaches, I can sometimes lay it on a betting exchange. This means betting against it to lose. By doing this, I can lock in a profit regardless of the outcome. If it wins, I collect the ante-post winnings; if it loses, I win the lay bet. It’s a complex manoeuvre and requires an exchange account, but it’s a way to “guarantee” a profit from a position of strength.

I also pay very close attention to bookmaker promotions that offer money back as a free bet if your horse finishes second. For the championship races, this is a fantastic form of insurance. I can back a horse I fancy, and if it suffers the heartbreak of a narrow defeat, I get my stake returned. It doesn’t guarantee a profit, but it does guarantee I don’t lose my money on that specific bet, which protects my bankroll.

While the dream of a truly guaranteed return is a myth, these strategies have served me well. They are about managing risk and playing the percentages. By focusing on each-way value in handicaps, considering hedging strategies, and leveraging bookmaker offers, I can create a much higher probability of walking away from the Cheltenham Festival with a return on my investment. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s the smartest and safest approach I know.