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- bet365 have activated Non-Runner No Bet on all 28 Cheltenham Festival races.
- Punters get stakes refunded if their selection does not run.
- Standard antepost markets remain available for those chasing bigger prices.
bet365 Roll Out Major Cheltenham Festival Boost
With just five weeks to go until the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, bet365 have made an early move to attract antepost interest by launching Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) markets across all 28 races at the meeting.
The Cheltenham Festival remains the crown jewel of the National Hunt calendar, but antepost betting can often feel risky due to uncertain targets, multiple entries and late withdrawals.
bet365’s NRNB concession directly addresses that concern giving punters added security at a crucial stage of the build-up.
Under NRNB rules, stakes are refunded if a horse does not run in the selected race, allowing bettors to take an early position without the fear of losing their stake to non-participation.
How Non-Runner No Bet Works at Cheltenham
Non-Runner No Bet is one of the most popular concessions offered by betting sites in the lead-up to major racing festivals.
With bet365’s Cheltenham NRNB offer:
- If your horse runs, your bet stands as normal
- If your horse does not run, your stake is fully refunded
- Applies to all 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival
This is particularly valuable during February when trainers are still finalising plans and many horses hold entries in multiple races across the week.
NRNB vs Antepost: Two Options for Punters
Alongside NRNB markets, bet365 have confirmed that their standard antepost betting will also remain available.
This gives punters a clear choice:
- NRNB markets → slightly shorter prices, added security
- Antepost markets → bigger prices, but no refunds if the horse doesn’t run
For experienced punters, the ability to choose between these two approaches is crucial.
Some will prioritise protection, while others will chase value knowing the risks involved.
bet365 Commentary Highlights Key Horses
bet365’s Pat Cooney explained the thinking behind the early rollout of NRNB markets.
“Following on from two tremendous days racing at Leopardstown, it seems now is an appropriate time to offer the NRNB option alongside our Antepost betting on all 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival.
"Constitution Hill will of course be of considerable speculation, prior to his run on the Flat at Southwell later this month. I expect him to be the most selected in the NRNB markets.
“There will also be many others with multiple entries at the meeting; I well remember in 2021 when The Shunter was entered in six handicaps, and was well supported in them all, winning one and stakes refunded in the other five races."
