Fixed odds bookmakers are offering a plethora of special bets for the Cheltenham Festival, but the spread boys at Sporting Index are not to be outdone with several enticing 'live' markets to tempt spread punters, including winning distances.

This market always attracts plenty of attention and this year's quote of 92-97 (total aggregate winning distances) could be an over-reaction to last year's results, when the final figure was over 113. That was only the second time in 10 years that the figure went through the 100 barrier, which was principally due to the wide-margin victories of Master Minded (19 lengths) Tidal Bay and Mister McGoldrick (both 13 lengths). Take the Champion Chase winner out of the equation and you have to go back 10 years to find a winning margin of greater than 15 lengths!

Of course, with no Voy Por Ustedes (and possibly Tidal Bay) to worry about this year, Master Minded could almost cover Wednesday's spread of 28-30 himself, but I've a feeling that Ruby Walsh, now with the knowledge of how awesome he is, will ride him with more confidence this time, so he might not win by so far.

Prospective buyers will point to the fact that there is a an extra race this year, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey's Handicap Hurdle, bringing the total to 26. However, that race is sure to be fiercely competitive with a close finish almost assured and, unless there is rain (and lots of it), selling distances could be best bit of business you do all week.

Click here to bet on Cheltenham Festival winning distances at Sportingindex