Cheltenham Non Runner Offers
Ante-post betting is available all-year-round on the main races at the Cheltenham Festival and for all 28 races in the months leading up to the meeting. The risk of losing your stake if the horse does not run is factored into the long odds you take in the hope of securing a great value bet.
In recent years, bookmakers have started offering “non-runner – no bet” terms in the lead-up to the festival, thus reducing the risk for punters and making their Cheltenham markets more attractive. We take a closer look at the “non-runner – no bet” option and highlight the bookmakers who already offer this concession to punters.
Bookmakers with non runner no bet offers
Bet365 were the first firm to go non-runner no bet on all Cheltenham races from mid-January. Betfred were not far behind and now all other bookmakers have followed with Cheltenham Non Runner offers. With time ticking before the Festival, most bookmakers are giving punters the choice of gambling Non Runner No Bet, or on markets without these terms which may offer a bigger pierce, albeit with more risks attached.
How Does Non Runner No Bet Work?
Cheltenham Non Runner offers have become increasingly popular over the past ten years as bookmakers promote their Festival odds long before the meeting gets under way. There is nothing more frustrating for punters than seeing their great value ante-post bets ripped up due to a last minute injury or change of plan.
The “non runner – no bet” option takes away that risk but don’t be fooled into thinking that the bookmaker is feeling overly generous. Their revised prices with the non runner – no bet concession are noticeably shorter than the ante-post prices. For example, a horse priced at 3-1 ante-post could be on offer at 9-4 “with a run” and a horse priced at 20-1 ante-post could be trimmed to around 12-1 in the new market.
Even so, the knowledge that you will have your stake returned if your horse does not run makes plenty of appeal. There could still be some value in the non runner – no bet market, providing you are prepared to dig a bit deeper to find it.
Non Runner No Bet Terms & Conditions
Terms and Conditions will vary bookmaker upon bookmaker, however, there is one key factor which never changes.
If you back a horse with Non Runner No Bet conditions, you will get your stake returned in full if your horse does not run in the race in which you backed it.
2023 Cheltenham Non Runner No Bet
Most leading bookmakers offer this concession quite early on the four main feature races; Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
If you fancy Galopin Des Champs to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, he can be backed at 5/4 with Bet365 (non-runner – no bet). If you were impressed by the performances of stable companions Stattler (2nd) and Franco De Port (5th) behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup, they would make more appeal with the Non-Runner No Bet proviso. Willie Mullins is likely to delay a decision on their participation until the week of the race.
Many firms do not offer Non Runner No Bet on all 28 Cheltenham races until a few days before the start of the festival. Trainers like to play their cards late in the novice events and the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival. If you keep a list of horses to follow and are unsure of their festival target, you can back them (NR – No Bet) for more than one race at Cheltenham.
Before placing your bet, check to see if the “non-runner – no bet” concession is stated in their terms and conditions for your Cheltenham wagers. Some bookmakers also offer “Best Odds Guaranteed” on Cheltenham Festival races so you will still paid out at SP if that price is better than the price on your betting slip.
Non Runner No Bet Cheltenham 2023 Tips
The Cheltenham Non-runner offers is one of the earliest concessions made by bookmakers for the 2023 festival meeting. The option of betting Cheltenham Non Runner No Bet provides another useful avenue for punters to exploit in the run up to Cheltenham.
The big stables like Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Nicky Henderson often have multiple entries for fancied runners and leave their options open until the last minute. For example, do they run their best novice hurdler in the Supreme or over a longer trip in the Ballymore? Their final decision may hinge on the going or whether one race looks easier than another. With “non runner – no bet”, you can safely back the horse for both races. Why not take a look at our expert tips for this year’s Cheltenham Festival before placing your first bets?
It is a similar story in the big handicap races throughout the Cheltenham Festival. Trainers will often make multiple entries in case their horse gets balloted out, for example in the Coral Cup and the Pertemps Final. The bookmakers may shave a few points off but you must balance the risks. 7-1 with a run makes more appeal than 8-1 with the risk of losing your stake if the horse does not run. Similarly, 33-1 with a run compares favourably with 40-1 and no guarantees.
FAQ’s
What is NRNB?
NRNB stands for Non Runner No Bet. This means that if your horse does not run its respective race, your bet will be void and your stake returned.
What Classes As A Non-Runner?
A Non-Runner is any horse who does not take part in a race it is in a market for.
Are there any downsides to NRNB betting?
Non Runner No Bet markets offer bettors a security that they will get their money back if their horse does not run. However, this often means that prices are much shorter, as the chance of them not running is factored out of the odds.
What are the best online bookmakers to bet on this year’s Cheltenham Festival?
All the links around our site give you access to the best new and existing customer deals from the most reputable bookmakers ahead of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
Do I get a refund?
If your horse is a Non Runner in a NRNB market, you will get your stake refunded in full.