Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Placepot – What is it and how do I enter?
The Placepot is one of the most popular pool bets in British horse racing, and nowhere does it capture the imagination more than at the Cheltenham Festival.
Unlike a traditional bet where you back a horse to win, the Placepot asks punters to find placed horses across the first six races on a single card.
To play, you must select at least one horse to be placed in each of the opening six races at a meeting.
The number of places that qualify depends on the field size and race type usually the first two, three, or four finishers. All bets go into a shared pool, and after deductions, the pool is divided among the winning tickets.
What makes the Placepot so appealing is the chance to land a big return for a relatively small stake. If several outsiders manage to place, the dividend can rise dramatically as fewer punters are left in the pool.
At Cheltenham, where the fields are large and the competition fierce, Placepot payouts have been known to reach thousands of pounds, even from stakes as low as £1.
The Cheltenham Placepot is particularly famous because of the Festival’s unpredictability. With competitive handicaps, Grade 1 races, and the unique atmosphere of Prestbury Park, the bet often delivers eye-catching dividends. It is a favourite among casual fans and seasoned punters alike, many of whom see it as the ultimate Festival betting challenge.
In recent years, the Cheltenham Placepot has produced some huge payouts.
On days where short priced favourites have failed to hit the frame, dividends have soared as low-staked punters walked away with four and five figure wins. This unpredictability is what gives the Cheltenham Placepot its enduring appeal.
For punters on course, the Placepot can be played via Tote betting windows, while those at home can join in online through the Tote website and app, as well as various bookmakers who now offer access to pool bets.
As Cheltenham 2026 approaches, the Placepot will once again be one of the standout wagers of the week, offering punters the chance to turn small stakes into Festival folklore.
