The Cheltenham November meeting builds to its centrepiece on Saturday, with 15 runners declared for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at 2.20pm. The first big handicap chase of the jumps season is run over 2m4½f and is a race that has thrown up some classy performers down the years.

Meetmebythesea is the warm order after he blitzed his rivals in the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival back in March. Ben Pauling’s charge is an outsider for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but a win here could see him propel into the picture. However, there’s a strong field assembling at Prestbury Park, with Madara and Blueking d’Oroux two of the likely fancied runners.

Steve Chambers looks at the leading contenders, as well as some notable outsiders before picking out his 1-2-3 for the big event.

Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026: Leading Runners

Meetmebythesea – Ben Pauling/Harry Cobden

Has won six of his eight starts and has had this race as his target since winning the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Festival in March, when he stayed on powerfully from the last to beat Gold Dancer. Given a notable 12lbs rise for that emphatic victory in the spring, the JP McManus-owned raider will need to improve, but at six years old there’s plenty of progression to come.

Madara – Dan Skelton/Tristan Durrell

Already a winner over this course and distance, having landed the Plate Handicap Chaseat the Festival in March, Madara than ran a fine race when third in the Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree. Dan Skelton’s raider shaped encouragingly when third in a handicap hurdle at Carlisle on 1 November, which should bring him on significantly, but stable jockey Dan Skelton opts for Blueking d’Oroux.

Blueking d’Oroux – Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton

A winner of the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton last November, when trained by Paul Nicholls, he then ended the season with a second placed finish in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree. Now running out of the Skelton yard, he’s one that has the potential to blossom in these sort of races this campaign and warrants notable respect.

Johnnywho – Jonjo & AJ O’Neill/Jonjo O’Neill Jr

A winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase over further in March, Johnnywho then ran a stormer to finish fourth in the Grand National at Aintree. Given another 4lbs rise for that run, his mark of 150 is asking a lot and he’s going to need a career best for the O’Neills.

Quebecois – Paul Nicholls/Sam Twiston-Davies

Third in the Ultima behind Johnnywho, Quebecois is back for another crack at that raider here. Pulled up in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on his last outing, the Paul Nicholls-trained raider warmed up for this with a second placed finish at Newton Abbot. Sure to improve, he’s one that could make a notable mark here.

Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026: Notable Outsiders

July Flower – Henry de Bromhead/Darragh O’Keeffe

Henry de Bromhead’s July Flower claimed Grade 2 glory at this meeting last year in the Arkle Trial, but she failed to kick on at the highest level. Fourth in a Grade 1 novice chase at the end of the season at the Punchestown Festival, she’s one that could benefit from a return to Cheltenham.

O’Moore Park – Martin Keighley/Freddie Keighley (5)

Martin Keighley’s O’Moore Park sprang a shock when winning over course and distance at the Showcase meeting on 24 October, Seventh in the Topham at Aintree in April, he’s one that heads into the race with fitness on his side and could be a lively outsider.

Zurich – Henry de Bromhead/Sean Bowen

Ffth in the Plate behind Madara in March and only a neck behind Riskintheground in the Silver Trophy, Zurich is another flying the flag for de Bromhead and the Irish charge. Sean Bowen is a fascinating jockey booking, but his mount will need to produce his finest display to fight out the finish.

Norn Iron – Harry Derham/Paul O’Brien

Norn Iron won twice at Sandown last winter and finished second in a valuable novice handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival. Tends to be held up and should be staying on late. He is lightly raced over fences and could have more to offer off 10-10.

Paddy Power Gold Cup Racecard

Here is the latest racecard for the 2026 Paddy Power Gold Cup…

Paddy Power Gold Cup Tip

It could prove to be that Meetmebythesea is very much a Grade 1 performer in the making and he could make a mockery of this contest. A real genuine Cheltenham Gold Cup challenger hasn’t emerged from this race in recent times, but Meetmebythesea could be a real cut above these rivals. July Flower runs well at this track and could chase him home, whilst Norn Iron could make the most of a featherweight and grab third spot.

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