The biggest race of the entire week, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is approaching on Friday. So much of the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival revolves around this contest.
With 11 runners going to post, Joe Napier previews a race missing some stars and with a defending champion out of form. Find out more about the runners, odds, trends and more below, as well as viewing our verdict.
2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup Runners
The field is without Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File. However, Gaelic Warrior ensures Willie Mullins and Paul Townend still have a strong hand. The eight-year-old begun life at Cheltenham with a chequered record, losing the Fred Winter and the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle, before easily winning the Arkle two seasons ago. He may have had a hard race in the Irish Gold Cup, but he has taken racing well in the past. It is a huge show of faith that he is the only Closutton runner.
Three of the first four home in the King George compete here. The winner, The Jukebox Man, would create front page headlines given his owner is Harry Redknapp. His Kempton victory augured well for a longer trip and he was second in an Albert Bartlett. Meanwhile, Jango Baie was an improbable Arkle winner last season and was fourth in the King George. His run that day also saw him flashing home and Nicky Henderson is confident this extra distance holds no fears.
Last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin is the only representative of that form. He has been hopeless this season and cheekpieces are applied. That does not bode well for suggestions he has simply been warming up for Cheltenham and a show of faith is required to continue backing him.
Domestically, Irish raider Spillane’s Tower claimed the Cotswold Chase on Trials Day in January. He won more comfortably than his winning margin over the veteran L’Homme Presse suggested. The latter is a consistent old stager, but is surely past his best. Grey Dawning, meanwhile, was given an easy time after a late mistake. His Betfair Chase win was impressive, but he has a jumping blunder in him.
Perhaps a better chance is held by the game Haiti Couleurs among the home team. He stepped up to Graded company to dominate the Denman Chase at Newbury. His Welsh National win under a big weight showed his grit and determination. The ceiling is as yet unexplored, with his Betfair Chase flop forgiven, but does he have the class?
Firefox ran better in the Irish Gold Cup than he was entitled to at massive odds. Gordon Elliott’s form is a worry this week for him, while the 12-year-old Envoi Allen has a tremendous Festival record. He has been kept fresh and could surprise a few for a long way.
Lastly, Gold Tweet won the Cleeve Hurdle for France a few seasons ago. On face value, his chase form is substandard for this, but he clearly stays.
2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup Racecard
16:00 Cheltenham
Good To SoftBoodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- First Prize: £351687.5
- 3m 2f 70y
- Class 1
- 10 runners
- Win time: 6m 39s
11/4J (Won)
- Win: £3.75
- Place: £1.50
11/4J
- Place: £1.50
11/1
- Place: £2.50
16/1
40/1
25/1
100/1
7/2
33/1
6/1
Non-runners
Spillanes Tower
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £10.10 |
| Straight Forecast | £10.36 |
| Tricast | £68.98 |
| Trifecta | £81.70 |
Selections
WEST COUNTRY:
The Jukebox ManLAMBOURN:
Jango BaieTOPSPEED:
Gaelic WarriorSPOTLIGHT:
Haiti CouleursThe Times:
The Jukebox ManTelegraph:
The Jukebox ManThe Guardian:
The Jukebox ManThe Star:
The Jukebox Man2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup Trends
The Gold Cup is one of the ultimate trends races. Dave Young has run the rule through them all here, with a summary below.
2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips
A Gold Cup in which none of the 11 are safely ruled out given the unknowns about French raider Gold Tweet. However, preference is for Gaelic Warrior, who stays well and won his only chase at Cheltenham easily. He can emerge best of the King George contenders. Jango Baie is feared most as he too can excel at this new distance. Spillane’s Tower is also dangerous having won the Cotswold Chase a shade cosily, though thorough stayer Haiti Couleurs, Kempton hero The Jukebox Man and defending champion Inothewayurthinkin make this a belter of a renewal.
FAQs
When and where is the Cheltenham Gold Cup run?
The Gold Cup will take place at Cheltenham racecourse on Friday 13 March, 2026 at 4pm.
How can I watch the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday?
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is shown live on ITV Racing at 4pm.
When were the Cheltenham Gold Cup tips published?
The tips for the Cheltenham Gold Cup were published at 11am on Thursday 12 March.
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