Cheltenham Gold Cup Runners 2026: A guide to the 11 hopefuls

The feature race of the entire Cheltenham Festival is the Gold Cup, which is scheduled for 16:00 on Friday.

Eleven go to post for this year's renewal, and I've produced a guide - detailing the odds at time of publication and a brief assessment of their chances - to the Cheltenham Gold Cup Runners.

The Jukebox Man (Ben Pauling/Ben Jones) @ 7/2

King George hero who's unbeaten in four starts over fences. Ben Pauling's eight-year-old, owned by Harry Redknapp, has been kept fresh for Friday's Gold Cup and if he stays the trip, which his trainer is confident about, he's got every chance. Personally, I'm not convinced 3m2½f around Cheltenham will see him at his best.

Gaelic Warrior (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) 4/1

The sole runner for Willie Mullins and therefore the mount of Paul Townend after the omission of two-time winner Galopin Des Champs. Joint-highest rating in the field and the eight-year-old comes into it on the back of huge runs in the King George (third) and Irish Gold Cup (second). Versatile in every sense of the word - trip, ground, tactics - and seems to be coming into his prime. Huge chance.

Jango Baie (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) @ 4/1

Last year's Arkle hero who was fourth in the King George after racing wide throughout and looking outpaced on fast ground in a bit of a sprint finish. He'll love the return to Cheltenham and the extra distance. Seven-year-old is the youngest runner in the field and therefore open to the most improvement. Stamina to prove but I don't see it being an issue. As good a chance as any for me.

Haiti Couleurs (Rebecca Curtis/Sean Bowen) @ 6/1

National Hunt Chase, Irish and Welsh National winner isn't quite as classy as the likes of Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie, but he's an out-and-out stayer and if it turns into a proper test, it'll suit. That's not guaranteed with likely conditions, though. Each-way claims.

Inothewayurthinkin (Gavin Cromwell/Mark Walsh) @ 7/1

Ah, the defending champion. He was outstanding in beating Galopin Des Champs by six lengths last year, but since then he's done absolutely nothing. Cheekpieces are applied and trainer Gavin Cromwell suggests he's back to something like at home. If true, he's a serious bet at the prices. Alternatively, he's an atrocious price on what he's shown this season. Headscratcher.

Grey Dawning (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton) @ 12/1

Won the defunct Turners Novices' Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival but has only managed two wins from seven in the meantime. One of those was in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, but beating an 11-year-old Royale Pagaille, albeit emphatically, is a world away from winning a Gold Cup. Must improve.

Spillane's Tower (James Mangan/Harry Cobden) @ 12/1

Beat the reopposing L'Homme Presse and Grey Dawning in the Cotswold Chase over a furlong shorter than the Gold Cup course and distance a couple of months ago, which was his best performance in a long time. Not without a chance on his second to Fact To File in the 2024 John Durkan, but he's got plenty to prove.

Envoi Allen (Henry de Bromhead/Darragh O'Keefe) @ 25/1

He's 12 years old, but this three-time Cheltenham Festival hero beat the subsequent Savills Chase winner Affordale Fury at Down Royal in November, showing he remains in rude health. Been kept fresh since and Henry de Bromhead is a master at getting one ready. Big ask, don't get me wrong, but he's got every chance of hitting the frame.

Firefox (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) @ 33/1

Another with each-way claims after finishing fourth in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival. That was a career-best on his first try over three miles and the eight-year-old could have even more to offer. Interesting.

L'Homme Presse (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) @ 40/1

In good form this season, but the 11-year-old is very much up against it. Hard to advise.

Gold Tweet (Gabriel Leenders/Clement Lefebvre) @ 125/1

Rated 26lbs inferior to Gaelic Warrior and Inothewayurthinkin. It'll be a nice day out for connections.

Bet £10 & Get £10

Opt in req. £10 Win/EW single on 13:20 Cheltenham 10-13/03/26. £5 E/W will count. Free Bets on settlement. Restricted to bets on Cheltenham. Removed 17:30 on same day. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. 00:00 06/03/26 – 23:59 13/03/26. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1)+ on Sports in 7 days. £20 Sports & £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excls & T&Cs Apply.

Bet on Cheltenham at Betfred

Find more Cheltenham Tips here at Betfred Insights