Cheltenham fans to fly out to Benidorm as competition launched

Last year, social media blew up when Freebets.com ran a competition to send lucky punters to Spain, after fans worked it would be cheaper to watch the racing there than actually attend Cheltenham.

And the trip is returning ahead of this year’s event, with flights, accommodation and VIP treatment on offer between March 10-15 – with social media sensation Stephen ‘Racing Blogger’ Power also joining them.

Tickets for just one day at Cheltenham can set racing fans back nearly £100, with VIP tickets costing hundreds more – but flights from London to Benidorm cost as little as £49.

Now, four racing fans will have the chance to jet off to Benidorm and watch the world-famous event in the sun themselves this year, on an all-expenses paid trip.

Flights, hotels and food will all be included in the competition prize, which closes on March 4, with entry available here.

In 2025, lucky punters had the approval of Derek ‘Tommo’ Thompson and six Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Paddy Brennan.

This year’s festival will see Inothewayurthinkin currently sitting near the top of the charts for a likely winner of the prestigious Gold Cup.

But they’ll be given a tough race by previous winner Galopin des Champs, who was denied a ‘threepeat’ Gold Cup victory in 2025.

Across the four days of the tournament – Champion Day, Ladies Day, St Patrick’s Thursday and Gold Cup Day – the sound of thundering hooves will echo across Gloucestershire, entertaining thousands – except four who will be soaking up the sun in Spain.

Dominic Celica, of Freebets.com, said: “Our competition was such a success last year, we had to give fans the chance to go again.

“Cheltenham in the changeable British weather is always brilliant, but who would want to miss out on a chance of some serious sunshine?

“Who knows, if you’re lucky enough to win this competition, that luck may extend to whichever horses you decide to place a bet on.

“And even if you decide to enter but don’t want to put a penny on the horses, five days in Benidorm’s not bad on its own.”