2026 Irish Gold Cup Tips - Can this outsider spoil De Champs' party?
The 2026 Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown is set to captivate racing enthusiasts with a stellar lineup. The reigning champion, Galopin Des Champs, aims for a fourth win, but faces tough competition from runners like Affordale Fury and Fact To File. Our betting tip highlights Grangeclare West as an appealing each-way choice, given his past performance and affinity for softer ground. With a large field expected, opportunities abound for strategic bets. Witness this thrilling event at the Dublin Racing Festival and enjoy live streams via mobile or tablet.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Irish Gold Cup
- This historic Grade One will now take place at Leopardstown on Monday 2nd February
- We're backing Grangeclare West at 33/1
The Irish Gold Cup headlines Monday's rearranged card at the Dublin Racing Festival. This prestigious Grade One has been won by many of Ireland's finest chasers and it's the three-time defending champion who dominates the betting for this year's renewal.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Irish Gold Cup, including our best betting tips.
2026 Irish Gold Cup Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Galopin Des Champs | 13/8 |
| Gaelic Warrior | 6/1 |
| Fact To File | 7/1 |
| Affordale Fury | 8/1 |
| Inothewayurthinkin | 10/1 |
| Spindleberry | 10/1 |
| Bar | 14/1 |
2026 Irish Gold Cup Runners
Galopin Des Champs returns to Leopardstown to try and equal the great Florida Pearl's record of four Irish Gold Cup wins. Willie Mullins' star finished third on his reappearance in the Savills Chase, having missed his intended return in the John Durkan after a small setback.
Affordale Fury continued his excellent seasonal form with a shock victory in the Savills Chase, and he'll bid for a second straight Grade One win at the Dublin Racing Festival. Galopin Des Champs will be joined in the field by several of his stablemates, including both Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, who finished third and sixth respectively in the King George VI Chase over Christmas.
Gavin Cromwell sends Inothewayurthinkin back to Leopardstown before the defence of his Gold Cup crown at Cheltenham. Top mare Spindleberry will also represent Willie Mullins, along with former Grand National winner and Savills Chase runner-up, I Am Maximus.
Mullins has also confirmed Lecky Watson, Grangeclare West and Champ Kiely in the final field. Gordon Elliott is represented by Stellar Story and Firefox. Monty's Star completes the line-up for Henry de Bromhead.
2026 Irish Gold Cup Tips
Galopin Des Champs is the king around Leopardstown, and I'm always hard-pushed to side against Willie Mullins' legend around this venue. The prospect of heavy ground should suit Gaelic Warrior - despite his poor record around this track - and, with Gavin Cromwell's string in better form, I'm expecting to see more from Inothewayurthinkin.
With a fairly large field likely to be confirmed, there's scope for an each-way play against the more fancied runners. As Affordale Fury forged on to win at Christmas, GRANGECLARE WEST (33/1) caught the eye with a late rattle, and he seems to be overpriced.
Brian Hayes' mount ran a blinder in the Grand National at Aintree, finishing third behind stablemates Nick Rockett and I Am Maximus. Grangeclare West then ran well when fifth under 12-00 in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and, like most of the runners in that race, enjoyed a casual stroll around Punchestown on his reappearance in the John Durkan.
Hayes held Grangeclare West up near the rear in the Savills Chase, and was almost brought down when Champ Kiely slipped on the first bend. Mullins' ten-year-old recovered well, keeping on gamely up the straight to finish fourth, just six lengths behind the winner.
Despite his excellent showing on good spring ground at Aintree, Grangeclare West has always been at his best on softer ground, so conditions on Saturday should be ideal. Brian Hayes will take the ride again, and this classy chaser is a former Grade One winner over this course and distance.
Visit our Irish Gold Cup Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Saturday's races at Leopardstown via a mobile or tablet.
Live Stream
Visit our Irish Gold Cup Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Saturday's races at Leopardstown via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Grangeclare West is our each-way selection in the 2026 Irish Gold Cup.
Grangeclare West E/W
2026 Irish Gold Cup Tips
@33/1 - 5 Units
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