Bet365 first to offer non-runner no-bet on Cheltenham Festival feature races

Bet365 have become the first bookmaker to go non-runner no-bet on the 'big five' races at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The Unibet Champion Hurdle, Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase, Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle and the Cheltenham Gold Cup markets with Bet365 all went non-runner no-bet at midday on Monday for both single and multiples bets.

The same firm have also priced up the remaining 23 contests at the festival, although the same concession has yet to be applied to those races.

Bet365's Pat Cooney said: "We get inundated with requests after the Christmas festivities, and we were mulling it over for this week as it's relatively quiet. Punters can now reflect on Kempton, Leopardstown and Cheltenham and methodically work through what they fancy.

"We haven't gone too mad at the market and not slashed everything, there are still some horses we've clipped half a point because we know on that day the market will be very competitive.

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"Every time we've done this before, people are backing one particular stable of runners, such as a Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott accumulator. Punters may think there's a Cheltenham winner waiting from them, but just don't know which race to back him in. It's very useful if they have multiple entries."

Bet365: bookmaker will also apply best odds guaranteed to the 'big five' racesCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Betfred are also non-runner no-bet for the four championship races, while Bet365 are offering best odds guaranteed on the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase, Stayers' Hurdle and Gold Cup.

Cooney added: "Cheltenham is dominant for our ante-post figures, as you lay these life-changing multiples and have that scary thought one of them will cop.

"You may back your selection at 8-1 and it may be a stronger field on the day than you had anticipated and your selection goes out to 12-1, you'll get the 12-1 anyway. The best odds guarantee offer is a good safety net."

Entries for the Gold Cup, Champion Chase and Ryanair are set to be revealed on Tuesday.

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