The 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup, scheduled for March 13th, stands as the pinnacle of the National Hunt racing calendar. Gaelic Warrior, coming off a stellar season, is poised as the favorite to win the race. Despite strong challenges from horses like Inothewayurthinkin and Haiti Couleurs, Gaelic Warrior’s consistent form and class make him the best bet for victory. The race promises excitement with several potential contenders, making it a highly anticipated event at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
The most prestigious race in all of National Hunt racing takes place on day four of the Cheltenham Festival, as a stellar field lines up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our Gold Cup tips for 2026, including our best bet and race verdict.
Last Updated: 12.3.2026
Race Info
Race
Cheltenham Gold Cup
Date
Friday, March 13th, 2026
Start Time
4:00pm
Status
Grade One
Distance
3m2f70y
First Prize
£351,688
Going
NA
Runners
11
Favourite
Gaelic Warrior (7/2)
At the start of the season, this year's Gold Cup seemed like a straight shoot-out between Inothewayurthinkin and Galopin Des Champs.
Sadly, Willie Mullins' former two-time Gold Cup winner sustained an injury in the build-up to this year's race and had to be retired. Inothewayurthinkin has been beaten out of sight on all of his starts this term, and there were fears he wouldn't even make the Festival after falling in the Irish Gold Cup.
Fact To File claimed the spoils at Leopardstown, and topped the market for the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup afterwards. However, Willie Mullins and JP McManus decided to keep their star chaser in the Ryanair Chase, a decision which blew the Gold Cup betting wide open.
The Jukebox Man (second right) beats Gaelic Warrior (left), Banbridge (second left) and Jango Baie (right) in the King George VI Chase. (Getty)
Leading Contenders
For me, and for many, the race of this season so far took place at Kempton on Boxing Day. The Jukebox Man showed heart and class to come out on top at Kempton, despite being passed by both Gaelic Warrior and Banbridge on the run to the line.
That victory has almost forced Ben Pauling into running his star in the Gold Cup - despite him saying at the start of the season that he didn't think the Gold Cup trip would suit his stable star. A lot can change during the course of the season, but I don't think The Jukebox Man is a certain stayer over this trip.
Nico de Boinville sat wide aboard Jango Baie for much of the King George VI Chase, and that proved costly in the end, as his late rattle was only good enough for fourth. Gaelic Warrior kept on gamely along the inside rail to finish third at Kempton, and went on to record another solid placed effort behind Fact To File - who he beat as the pair made their returns to action in the John Durkan - in the Irish Gold Cup.
Haiti Couleurs has won the National Hunt Chase, the Irish Grand National, the Welsh Grand National and the Denman Chase in the past 12 months. This thorough stayer may not be as classy as some of those ahead of him in the market, but stamina is often the most important attribute in the Gold Cup, and this lad has it in spades.
Spillane's Tower got the better of Grey Dawning when the two met in the Cotswold Chase, and enters the Gold Cup with an outside chance. Dan Skelton was keen to get another run into his Betfair Chase winner before the Gold Cup, and an error at the second-last scuppered Grey Dawning's chances.
Skelton has had both eyes fixed on the Gold Cup since Haydock, and didn't seem even slightly perturbed by Grey Dawning's defeat on Trials Day. If I had to back one of those two, it would be Skelton's Betfair Chase winner.
The Best Of The Rest
Envoi Allen will make his final appearance on a racecourse in the Gold Cup. Henry de Bromhead's star has won ten Grade Ones, with three of those top-level wins coming at the Cheltenham Festival.
It's fitting that Envoi Allen will bow out after running in National Hunt racing's most prestigious event. He doesn't really stand a chance of winning, but I'd much rather see him run here, than finish down the field in the Ryanair.
Firefox kept on well to finish fourth in the Irish Gold Cup, earning his spot in the field for Cheltenham's feature. He'll still have to raise his game significantly to get involved.
L'Homme Presse isn't getting any younger, but did run a valiant race to split Spillane's Tower and Grey Dawning in the Cotswold Chase. Gold Tweet will fly the flag for France, but on recent form, Gabriel Leender's raider has little to no chance.
2026 Gold Cup Tips
Bet Type
Name
Odds Taken on 18.2.26
Best Bet
Gaelic Warrior
6/1
Note: These selections are subject to change. All of my selections will be finalised once the fields have been confirmed.
This is tricky. Really tricky. I can make a case for a handful of runners, but there are drawbacks to most of them.
The most solid option at the ante-post stage seemed to be GAELIC WARRIOR (4/1). Keen and wayward in his youth, I always tried to take Gaelic Warrior on when I could. However, Mullins' star has found a new level of consistency since skipping last year's Cheltenham Festival, recording victories in the Aintree Bowl and the Oaksey Chase at Sandown last season.
Paul Townend's mount ran valiantly in defeat in the King George, and kept on well to finish second in the Irish Gold Cup, despite the race not being run to suit. Gaelic Warrior is a former winner of the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival, and there have been no signs of his old propensity to jump out to his right in any of his starts this season.
Gaelic Warrior was available at 6/1 when my ante-post guide went live, as many people anticipated that Patrick Mullins would be riding. However, the injury and subsequent retirement of Galopin Des Champs has resulted in Paul Townend jumping into the saddle, and there's no doubt that Gaelic Warrior has the class to win a Gold Cup.
Gaelic Warrior winning the Aintree Bowl. (Getty)
2026 Gold Cup 1-2-3
Position
Predictions
1st
Gaelic Warrior
2nd
Inothewayurthinkin
3rd
Haiti Couleurs
I'll be backing GAELIC WARRIOR to win Friday's Cheltenham Gold Cup. Support is likely to come for The Jukebox Man and Jango Baie, and that would result in Gaelic Warrior drifting out to a nicer price than 4/1.
Despite his shocking run of form this season, all the reports coming out of Gavin Cromwell's yard suggest that Inothewayurthinkin has been working well. I expect the defending champion will put up a bold defence of his crown, but ultimately, Gaelic Warrior might be a little too classy on the day.
Third spot I'll give to Haiti Couleurs. National-types often do well in the Gold Cup, and Rebecca Curtis' star handled Cheltenham well when winning the National Hunt Chase 12 months ago. That's my Gold Cup 1-2-3 prediction.
Live Stream
Visit our Gold Cup Live Stream page if you want to watch any race on day four of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival via a mobile or tablet.
Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026 FAQs
When is the 2026 Gold Cup?
The Cheltenham Gold Cup will take place on day four of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday 13th March, 2026.
What time does the Cheltenham Gold Cup go off?
The Gold Cup is scheduled to start at 4:00pm on March 13th.
Who will win the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Plenty will fancy their chances in this year's Gold Cup. Gaelic Warrior beat Fact To File in the John Durkan in November, and looks to have all the attributes required to win the feature race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Where can I watch the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup?
The Gold Cup will be shown live on ITV Racing. You can also stream the race live on a mobile device. Head to our website for more information.
Verdict
Gaelic Warrior has been in excellent form this season and looks to have all the attributes needed to win the Gold Cup. He's my best bet.
Best Bet1: Gaelic Warrior 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup Best Bet @7/2 at BOYLE Sports - 5 Units
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