Nearly 500 horses will come to Prestbury Park in Cheltenham over the four festival days, carrying hopes of connections and punters alike. With only 26 prizes up for grabs a huge majority will go home disappointed. Blue Square, on the other hand, are offering you every chance to avoid any disappointment with a number of fantastic offers!

By the time the tapes go up for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on day one, Blue Square will be throwing their support behind Alan King’s Medermit in the Festival opener as part of their ‘Fair and Square’ promotion. This generous offer allows you to select any horse in opposition to Medermit and win a free £5 bet if your choice finishes in front of the recent Ascot winner. Simply place a bet of £1 to qualify and select your horse before the 1.30 post time. The offer operates for all four days and you have the chance to pit your wits against a Blue Square expert to boost your daily betting bank.

The showpiece race on the first day is the Champion Hurdle and Nicky Henderson’s Binocular looks certain to start a very short priced favourite. Tony McCoy looks set to ride the JP McManus owned 5-year-old. Blue Square have decided to take on the champion jockey during Cheltenham week and will be guaranteeing best prices about all of his rides. Be sure to check the Blue Square market on Binocular and his other mounts if you fancy AP to outwit his counterparts in a driving finish up the Cheltenham hill.

McCoy is currently second-favourite to finish as the leading jockey at the meeting behind his off-course friend and on-course foe Ruby Walsh. Paul Nicholls’ first choice jockey will be looking forward to partnering odds-on favourite Master Minded in the Champion Chase on Wednesday, looking to retain last years crown in a blistering two mile gallop with precision jumping. Blue Square have added more interest to the race by offering markets on how far Clive Smith’s chaser will win by and which SP will be declared for what could be a record breaking Festival price.

On Thursday, Francois Doumen saddles Kasbah Bliss in the World Hurdle after his breathtaking win in the Blue Square Hurdle at Haydock. The usual suspects will be lining up to take him on over the three mile trip, which usually produces some of the most exciting festival finishes. The race before the World Hurdle is the Ryanair Chase, which is now in its fifth year. This acts as a chasing championship at the intermediate distance and has produced some thrilling contests. Alan King’s Voy Por Ustedes will take all the beating after his facile Ascot victory on Valentine’s Day.

The Friday is of course reserved for The Gold Cup and champion trainer Paul Nicholls will be looking to emulate last years incredible ‘first three home’. Blue Square have a number of specials featuring the Ditcheat handler who looks to be sending two previous winners to post in Denman and Kauto Star. Both horses have to overcome negative trends to claim a second crown and as such plenty of money has come for the grey that chased them home last year Neptune Collonges. There will be no winner more popular than Barbers Shop if he can give The Queen a victory in the race at the first time of asking. To get the most out of your festival punting make sure you check the Blue Square promotions page where you can listen exclusively to the views of the leading trainers. Once you’ve made your selections take advantage of Blue Square’s offer of ‘1% per runner’ on all 26 races.