Champion Chase Betting

Cheltenham Festival is the standout event of the National Hunt season, where the best of British and Irish racing competes across four thrilling days for some of the sport’s most prestigious prizes. No wonder it’s regarded as the “greatest show on turf”!

You can explore our dedicated Cheltenham betting odds hub, covering odds for all 28 races of the festival. Alternatively, you can check out our other specific race hubs to find; the prestigious Gold Cup odds, the dramatic Champion Hurdle odds, the fast-paced Champion Chase odds, and the stamina testing Stayers’ Hurdle betting odds. And don't forget to check out the Ryanair Chase betting odds. Each of these races offers a chance to witness history in the making, all available at bet365. To enhance your betting experience on all of these races, check out our Cheltenham offers and promotions and Cheltenham tips.

When is the Cheltenham Champion Chase?

The Champion Chase will take place on Wednesday 17th of March 2027, on the second day of the festival.

What Time is the Cheltenham Champion Chase?

The Champion Chase Race is scheduled to begin at 4pm UK time.

Who Won the Champion Chase in 2026?

Il Etait Temps won the 2026 Champion Chase on March 11th, 2026, ridden by Paul Townend, trained by Willie Mullins and owned by Hollywood Racing & Barnane Stud. The 8-year-old horse won at odds of 5/2, by a remarkable 10 lengths.

How Long is the Champion Chase Race?

The Cheltenham Champion Chase is run over of distance of approximately 2 miles (3,199 meters or 1 mile, 7 furlongs and 199 yards) on the Old Course at Cheltenham Racecourse

How Many Jumps are there in the Champion Chase?

There are 13 fences in the Champion Chase race at Cheltenham.

How Many Places in the Champion Chase Race?

The number of places we are paying out on in the Champion Chase will be released two days before the race, after the runners have been confirmed. If you would like to place a bet before then, we are pleased to offer Non-Runner No Bet markets on all 28 races at this year's Cheltenham Festival. This means you can enjoy the peace of mind that your stake will be refunded if your selection does not run.

How Much for Winning the Champion Chase?

In 2026, the prize pot for the Champion Chase was a whopping £400,000, with 1st place taking around £225,000 of it.

What Grade Race is the Champion Chase?

The prestigious Champion Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt Steeplechase.

Who are the Champion Chase Previous Winners?

2026 - Il Etait Temps

2025 - Marine Nationale

2024 - Captain Guinness

What Are the Most Famous Horses to Have Won the Champion Chase?

The most successful horse in Queen Mother Champion Chase history is Badsworth Boy, who won three times in a row from 1983 to 1985. Other notable mentions include iconic dual winners Sprinter Sacre (2013, 2016), Altior (2018, 2019), and Master Minded (2008, 2009). These legends showcased unmatched speed and jumping ability in the two-mile chasing division.

When was the First Champion Chase Race?

This race started in 1959 as the ‘National Hunt Two-Mile Champion Chase’. It got its current name in 1980 to celebrate the Queen Mother's 80th birthday.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for the Champion Chase?

The Champion Chase is for horses aged 5 years old and above with a BHA rating of 130+. Weights are typically set at 11st 10lb (5yo+) and a 7 lb allowance for mares.

For more information on the Champion Chase, check out our Champion Chase 2027 Guide. Or for more information on the entire festival, check out our Cheltenham 2027 guide and the latest Cheltenham news.

The prize values displayed for four, five and six correct predictions are the maximum available based on a single winner for each prize-pool and will be reduced in the event of shared prize-pools. If more than one entrant predicts four, five or six correct race results, the total amount of applicable prize-money will be shared equally between all entrants involved for each prize-pool. Entrants will only receive a share of the prize-pool they have finished within, a maximum of one prize per game.

Entry to 6 Horses Challenge is separate from standard bet placement and all bet365 offers do not apply. The prizes listed within the game are based on all races taking place as scheduled. In the event of a race being abandoned, amended prizes will be listed within the game. Should four or more races be abandoned, the game will be made void.

In the event a chosen selection is declared a non-runner prior to the game entry closing, entrants can change their selection. If a replacement selection is not made, non-runners will automatically be replaced with the unnamed Starting Price Favourite at the point of settlement.

Gameplay

1. For full details on gameplay, please refer to our 6 Horses Challenge rules.

2. You are responsible for any tax obligations (reporting and / or tax settlement) that are applicable in your jurisdiction in relation to any deposits, stakes or entry fees or any winnings/prizes or losses as the case may be. Prize values displayed are exclusive of any tax deductions (where applicable).

Using Bet Credits

3. Your Bet Credits are non-withdrawable. Any returns from Bet Credits stakes will be added to your Withdrawable Balance but Bet Credits stakes are not included in any returns. For example, a £10 bet placed at odds of 2/1 (3.00) would give a return of £30 (£20 winnings plus £10 stake), whereas a £10 Bet Credits stake placed at odds of 2/1 (3.00) would give a net return of £20, as the £10 Bet Credits stake is not returned.

4. Stakes can be funded in part by your Bet Credits and part with your Withdrawable Balance; however the Bet Credits element of the stake will not be included in any returns. For example, a £10 bet placed at odds of 2/1 (3.00) which was funded by £5 Bet Credits and £5 cash would give a net return of £25 (£20 winnings plus £5 cash stake) as the £5 Bet Credits stake would not be returned. If a bet is void and has had an opportunity to win (for example, in the event of a push), Bet Credits stakes will not be returned. If a bet is void and has not had an opportunity to win (for example, when a Goalscorer bet is placed on a player who does not then take part in the match), Bet Credits stakes will be returned.

5. For the purpose of Cash Out, the value displayed will already have the Bet Credits stake removed and will be the actual return received if Cashed Out.

6. Your Bet Credits cannot be:

• used as stakes on Tote (including other pool betting), Colossus bets, Lotto markets and Fantasy Sports entries;

• used as stakes on Teasers;

• used as stakes on Super Boosts and Winnings Boosts.

7. Your Bet Credits will expire 7 days after they are added to your Bet Credits balance. If additional Bet Credits are added to your Bet Credits balance within this 7 day period, the total Bet Credits balance will expire 7 days after the last addition.

8. Bets placed using Bet Credits will not qualify for the following boost:

• Acca Boost

General

9. Not all games are guaranteed to be available during the promotional period and selected eligible games might only be visible to customers who are logged in and whose accounts are verified.

10. The 6 Horses Challenge feature is available at the discretion of bet365 and bet365 makes no guarantees regarding its availability. bet365 will not be responsible if the 6 Horses Challenge feature is not available for technical reasons.

11. bet365 reserves the right to reclaim any Bet Credits or prize-money awarded for a 6 Horses Challenge entry if the outcome of a race within the relevant game was determined in error.

12. bet365 reserves the right to accept or decline any 6 Horses Challenge entry.

13. bet365 reserves the right to amend, suspend or remove the 6 Horses Challenge feature (or any part of it) for any event, meeting or customer.

14. bet365 reserves the right to remove the 6 Horses Challenge feature for any customer or group of customers where it has reasonable grounds to believe that the customer or groups of customers is misusing the feature.