The approach to March always sharpens focus in the National Hunt world, but the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival 2026 feels especially open-ended. With leading contenders still holding multiple entries and final targets far from locked in, ante-post betting has become a balancing act between spotting early value and managing uncertainty.
That context makes bet365’s confirmation of Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) markets across all 28 Cheltenham Festival races a timely and welcome development. It gives punters the chance to get involved earlier, while removing one of the biggest traditional risks of Festival betting.
From 17:00 UK time on Tuesday 3rd March 2026, all Win and Each Way bets placed in designated NRNB markets will be protected. If your chosen horse does not line up on the day, your stake is refunded. In multiple bets, any non-runner is simply voided, with the rest of the bet standing.
This guide explains how NRNB betting works, why it is particularly valuable at Cheltenham, and how punters can use it to approach Festival betting with greater confidence. We also highlight key talking points, horses with flexible targets, and the races where NRNB can make the biggest difference.
Non-Runner No Bet does exactly what it says on the tin, but its impact at the Cheltenham Festival is significant.
When you place a bet in an NRNB market:
These rules apply to both Win and Each Way bets, which is crucial at Cheltenham where competitive fields and multiple race entries are the norm.
Many Festival horses are deliberately kept with options. A novice may be entered in two hurdles over different trips, while established stars might have a choice between a championship race and an alternative target. Without NRNB, ante-post betting in those scenarios carries obvious risk. With NRNB, that risk is substantially reduced.
Cheltenham’s four days deliver the strongest concentration of National Hunt talent anywhere in the season. That quality creates depth, and depth creates complexity.
Some of the main reasons NRNB markets are particularly valuable at the Festival include:
Cheltenham rewards those who form an early opinion, but it can punish inflexibility. NRNB sits neatly in the middle, allowing punters to act early without being penalised if plans change.
bet365 Racing Expert Pat Cooney explained why extending NRNB across all 28 races makes sense for Festival betting:
“Following on from 2 tremendous days racing at Leopardstown, it seems now is an appropriate time to offer the NRNB option alongside our Ante Post betting on all 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival. It’s always a popular choice for ante-post backers to have a money back option if you do back a non-runner once the offer applies to each race.
“High profile horses such as Lossiemouth and Romeo Coolio certainly have good chances in either of their possible races and can now be backed with the NRNB option.
“There will also be many others with multiple entries at the meeting, I well remember in 2021 when The Shunter was entered in 6 handicaps, and was well supported in them all, winning 1 and stakes refunded in the other 5 races!
“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.”
That example neatly illustrates the strength of NRNB betting. You remain involved in the right horses, without exposing yourself to unnecessary downside.
The early Festival picture for 2026 is already full of intrigue, particularly among horses whose connections are keeping options open.
These typically fall into a few clear categories:
NRNB allows punters to focus on talent and form first, rather than worrying about which race a horse ultimately contests.
One horse expected to dominate NRNB interest is Constitution Hill. His Cheltenham target remains one of the biggest talking points of the spring, especially with attention on his planned Flat run at Southwell. NRNB markets allow punters to engage with that debate without locking into unnecessary risk.
With 28 races spread across four days, NRNB markets have slightly different appeal depending on the type of contest. All races can be followed via the bet365 Cheltenham Festival hub using the updated affiliate link code 051860.
The first day often sets the tone for the entire Festival and includes several races where alternative entries are common:
Novices are especially likely to be redirected based on schooling reports or ground conditions, while handicaps can change shape late once final weights are confirmed.
Wednesday blends elite championship racing with contests that remain fluid until declarations:
While championship races often crystallise earlier, novice events can remain open until the final stages. NRNB provides breathing room for early bets.
Thursday’s racing is often shaped by stamina demands:
Ground conditions are particularly influential here, and NRNB acts as a safety net if connections adjust plans late.
The closing day is demanding on both horses and trainers:
This race frequently shares entries with shorter novice events earlier in the week, making NRNB especially useful for early support.
As NRNB markets go live, early selections begin to take shape. Current Non-Runner No Bet tips include:
Each of these races features horses with genuine ability and flexible Festival targets, making them well suited to NRNB betting.
Full Cheltenham Tips and Predictions click here
NRNB is not a replacement for sound judgement or sensible staking, but it can enhance both.
Punters often use NRNB to:
Rather than demanding certainty, NRNB works with Cheltenham’s natural unpredictability and turns it into something manageable.
The Cheltenham Festival is built on possibility. Form lines shift, plans evolve and narratives change right up to declaration day. By offering Non-Runner No Bet markets on all 28 races, bet365 gives punters a smarter way to get involved early without feeling overexposed.
For anyone planning their Cheltenham Festival betting in 2026, NRNB offers flexibility, protection and peace of mind. As March draws closer, keeping one eye on form and the other on flexibility could prove to be the most sensible approach of all.
18+ Always remember to gamble responsibly. Check out bet365’s Safer Gambling page for more details or go to GambleAware.org for advice, tools and support.
#AD Bonus Referrer Code is an affiliate of the brands we promote throughout this site. While we strive to maintain accuracy throughout our content, we do receive compensation for this promotion.
Check out our Premier League Scoreboard – A look back at the key results and games from the last Premier League weekend!
Predict your way to a prize of up to a £250,000 on bet365 6 Scores Challenge game!
Check out the top betting tips for Champions League Matchday 8 for all six English teams participating.
bet365 UCL Tournament Challenge – Get the lowdown on this free to play UCL game at bet365!
Worried about your gambling? When the fun stops – STOP!
