Friday 14th March 14:00
The County Hurdle takes place at 2:00pm on day four of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday 14th March 2025. Below you'll find our free betting tips for the County Hurdle from out expert horse racing analysts Will Smith & David Young.
Cheltenham Tip Finder
Use the search filters below to find a tips by day or by race
| Bookie | Selection | Best Odds | Market | Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Kargese | 10/1 | Ante Post
EW 5 Places NRNB County Hurdle |
Place Bet |
Date of Tips: 28/02/2025
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (13:14 28/02/2025) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
New cust only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet of £10 at Evens (1/1) for 2 x £10 Free Bets (min odds 2/1) & 2 x £10 Free Accas (trebles & above at min odds per line 1/2). Expires 14/03/25 23:59. Cannot be used on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org #ad
As always, there has been plenty of talk regarding handicap plots for the Cheltenham Festival, and it seems that the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle at 2.00 on the Friday of the Cheltenham Festival is front and centre of these clandestinal plots. The likes of Kopeck De Mee, Absurde, Ethical Diamond, Valgrand, Mclaurey and Karniquet have had numerous podcast mentions or blog inches devoted to them.
However, there is one horse entered in the race who has hardly had a mention and to me, looks absolutely tailor-made for it and given how well last year’s juvenile form is working out, might just be one of the best handicapped horses running at the whole Cheltenham Festival.
At 10/1 each-way with William Hill or 888Sport for 5 places and with the ‘Non-Runner, No Bet’ concession in place, Kargese is the horse in question.
The NRNB angle is important as at most points this season, the Mares’ Hurdle has been mooted. But for such a keen-going type going over 2m4f for the first time, and in a potentially tactical affair, she wouldn’t make as much appeal in that as she would in the cavalry charge of the County Hurdle over 2m1f.
Since her debut for Willie Mullins, when only just touched off by the classy Kala Conti at the DRF, Kargese was only beaten last season by Majborough and Sir Gino. You don’t need me to tell you how good that makes her.
Either side of those Cheltenham and Aintree runs, Kargese won two Grade 1’s and marked herself down as a horse that could really develop further as she matures, both physically and mentally.
The run in the Triumph Hurdle was huge, and it was only after the last that the beastly Majborough got the better of her, and interestingly the time she clocked that day was comfortably faster than Absurde did in winning the County Hurdle 40 minutes later.
Then on to Aintree, and again it was only after the last that she was trumped by the mighty Sir Gino, and she emerged with huge credit that day.
Kargese’s seasonal reappearance came in a Grade 2 mares’ race at Ascot last month, and the fact that she was beaten at odds of 2/5 will have many people believing that she was underwhelming.
Indeed, it was disappointing to be beaten, but when you consider that the likes of Lossiemouth and Ballyburn were also beaten on seasonal debuts in the UK, and the general MO of the trainer is to bring along horses massively from their first start, it’s not so worrying at all.
Furthermore, she was held up off a muddling tempo, keen enough, and on ground that was probably on the lively side for her. That she was galloping on at the finish was testament to her ability, as she was probably ridden to beat Ooh Betty (no mug at all) and was blindsided by the rallying and vastly underrated Take No Chances.
The form is better than many think, and when you consider Kargese ran the final circuit that day noticeably quicker than Altobelli did when winning the 2m3½f handicap, and who is now rated 147 following a similar win, it gives further ballast to some sizable positivity from that run.
The UK handicapper had her on 141 going into that race, and the only thing he could reasonably do when the ratings are confirmed early next week is drop her 1lb or 2lbs, but certainly not raise her. On last season’s juvenile form, a mark of 140ish is ripe for the taking.
The owner has had the late emergence of Jade De Grugy for the Mares Hurdle on the Tuesday, and so it wouldn’t surprise at all if Kargese went for what would a much more suitable target in the shape of Friday’s William Hill County Handicap Hurdle.
The County Hurdle is a competitive race that often produces exciting finishes. It can often be an unpredictable race which makes it one of the better ones to use free bets on rather than risking your own cash. Thankfully, there are several bookies offering free bets to new customers, along with having some excellent racing promotions available throughout the festival.
We’ve hand-picked some of the best County Hurdle free bet offers below.
New cust only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet of £10 at Evens (1/1) for 2 x £10 Free Bets (min odds 2/1) & 2 x £10 Free Accas (trebles & above at min odds per line 1/2). Expires 14/03/25 23:59. Cannot be used on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org #ad
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £/€10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £/€10 Place). Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. #ad
18+. New Customers Only. Min deposit £20. Maximum one £10 Free Bet & two £5 Bet Builder Free Bets. Qualifying bet must be placed at odds of Evens (2.00) or greater. Paid as bonus tokens: Token 1 Min odds Req: 4/5 (1.80). Token 2 & 3 are valid for Bet Builder only and are subject to min odds of 2/1 (3.00). T&Cs Apply. GambleAware.org #ad
18+ Opt in, bet £10 on any football (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of sign up. Get 2x£10 and 1x£5 Free Bets for set football markets + £5 Slots Bonus on Big Bass Splash, 30x wagering, max redeem £125. Bonuses expire in 14 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org #ad
New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org #ad
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org #ad
18+. New customers only. Min deposit £20. Max One £10 Free Bet & two £5 Bet Builder Free Bets.. Qualifying Bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater. Paid as bonus tokens with Min 4/5 (1.80) odds req. Token 2& 3 are valid for Bet Builder only and are subject to min odds of 2/1 (3.00) T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org #ad
1st single cash specials bet on the Selected EURO 2024 matches. Min odds EVS. Free Bet: accept via pop-up within 24 hours of qual, use in 7 days on Specials only. Stakes not returned. Click here for full T&Cs. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org 18+ #ad
| Selection | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kopeck De Mee | 6/1 |
| Absurde | 7/1 |
| Mclaurey | 8/1 |
| Lark In The Mornin | 8/1 |
| Kargese | 9/1 |
| Ethical Diamond | 10/1 |
| Valgrand | 10/1 |
| Karniquet | 12/1 |
| Burdett Road | 14/1 |
| Kabral Du Mathan | 16/1 |
| Karafon | 20/1 |
| Vischio | 20/1 |
| Irish Panther | 20/1 |
| Kala Conti | 20/1 |
| Bunting | 20/1 |
| King Of Kingsfield | 20/1 |
| Pinot Gris | 25/1 |
| Hansard | 25/1 |
| Hunters Yarn | 25/1 |
| Jimmy Du Seuil | 25/1 |
| My Mate Mozzie | 25/1 |
| Tounsivator | 25/1 |
| Ndaawi | 25/1 |
| Daddy Long Legs | 25/1 |
| Lump Sum | 25/1 |
| Gala Marceau | 25/1 |
| The Enabler | 33/1 |
| Welsh Charger | 33/1 |
| Alnilam | 33/1 |
| Colonel Mustard | 33/1 |
| Cracking Rhapsody | 33/1 |
| Farren Glory | 33/1 |
| Gaucher | 33/1 |
| Jipcot | 33/1 |
| Knickerbockerglory | 33/1 |
| Petrol Head | 33/1 |
| Raglan Road | 33/1 |
| Stormbreaker | 33/1 |
| We're Red And Blue | 33/1 |
| Favour And Fortune | 33/1 |
| Mirabad | 33/1 |
| Tellherthename | 33/1 |
| Batman Girac | 33/1 |
| Samui | 40/1 |
| Milldam | 40/1 |
| Our Champ | 40/1 |
| Wilful | 40/1 |
| Fils D'Oudairies | 50/1 |
| Williethebuilder | 50/1 |
| Afadil | 50/1 |
| Aucunrisque | 50/1 |
| Country Park | 50/1 |
| Fenway Park | 50/1 |
| Norman Fletcher | 50/1 |
| Ooh Betty | 50/1 |
| Spirit D'Aunou | 50/1 |
| Stream Of Stars | 50/1 |
| Go Dante | 50/1 |
| Florida Dreams | 50/1 |
| All In You | 66/1 |
| Highwind | 66/1 |
| Kings Hill | 66/1 |
| Stormalong | 66/1 |
| Pied Piper | 66/1 |
| First Street | 80/1 |
| Cormier | 100/1 |
| Aspire Tower | 100/1 |
| Royal Way | 150/1 |
| County Hurdle | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Distance | Type |
| Fri 14/03/2025 | 14:00 | 2m 179y | Hurdle |
The County Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race that is run on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, also known as Gold Cup Day.
The race covers a distance of approximately 2 miles and 1 furlong and is open to horses aged five years and older.
The County Hurdle is known for being a highly competitive and unpredictable handicap race, with many horses in contention for the win. It often attracts a large field of runners and the pace can be very fast making for an exciting spectacle for racegoers and viewers.
Trainer W P Mullins has won the County Hurdle 6 times over the last 20 festivals with Thousand Stars (2010), Final Approach (2011), Wicklow Brave (2015), Arctic Fire (2017), Saint Roi (2020) & State Man (2022).
County Hurdle tips from racing analyst Will Smith will appear on this page shortly before the start of the Cheltenham Festival.
New cust only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet of £10 at Evens (1/1) for 2 x £10 Free Bets (min odds 2/1) & 2 x £10 Free Accas (trebles & above at min odds per line 1/2). Expires 14/03/25 23:59. Cannot be used on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org #ad
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £/€10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £/€10 Place). Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. #ad
18+. New Customers Only. Min deposit £20. Maximum one £10 Free Bet & two £5 Bet Builder Free Bets. Qualifying bet must be placed at odds of Evens (2.00) or greater. Paid as bonus tokens: Token 1 Min odds Req: 4/5 (1.80). Token 2 & 3 are valid for Bet Builder only and are subject to min odds of 2/1 (3.00). T&Cs Apply. GambleAware.org #ad
New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org #ad
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org #ad
1st single cash specials bet on the Selected EURO 2024 matches. Min odds EVS. Free Bet: accept via pop-up within 24 hours of qual, use in 7 days on Specials only. Stakes not returned. Click here for full T&Cs. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org 18+ #ad
New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply. #ad
18+. GambleAware.org #ad
18+ If your first bet is a Lucky 15 on Horse Racing AK Bets will boost the return of that initial bet by 25% in the form of a Free Bet up to a value of £100. Applies to new customers who sign up to AK BETS via our approved partner websites with promo code AKLUCKY100 T&Cs Apply. If your first bet is a4+ Fold accumulator on Football, AK Bets will boost the profit of that initial bet by 25% in the form of a Free Bet up to a value of £100. Applies to new customers who sign up to AK BETS via our approved partner websites with promo code AKFOOTBALL100 T&Cs Apply BeGambleAware #ad
Bet £5 Get £20: 18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply
Top Casinos
Top New Bookmakers
Top Offers
The Coral Cup is the third race to take place on Day 2 of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival with a scheduled start time of 14:40. Below, you can view our top Coral Cup tips from WhichBookie racing analysts Will Smith & David Young who will be offering Free Cheltenham betting tips on races at the 2025 Festival.
West Ham United vs Newcastle United Prediction Betting Tips & Preview
County Hurdle Odds Selection Odds Kopeck De Mee 6/1 Absurde 7/1 Mclaurey 8/1 Lark In The Mornin…
Top Rated Bookmakers
Portsmouth vs Leeds United Prediction Betting Tips & Preview
County Hurdle Odds Selection Odds Kopeck De Mee 6/1 Absurde 7/1 Mclaurey 8/1 Lark In The Mornin…
Swansea City vs Middlesbrough Prediction Betting Tips & Preview
County Hurdle Odds Selection Odds Kopeck De Mee 6/1 Absurde 7/1 Mclaurey 8/1 Lark In The Mornin…
West Bromwich Albion vs Queens Park Rangers Prediction Betting Tips & Preview
County Hurdle Odds Selection Odds Kopeck De Mee 6/1 Absurde 7/1 Mclaurey 8/1 Lark In The Mornin…
Best Football Bookies
