Cheltenham Gold Cup Result 2026 - Willie and Townend celebrate again, as Gaelic Warrior powers home

Haiti Couleurs was one of the confirmed stayers in the field. Sean Bowen was content to sit wide in the early stages, but took his mount to the front coming out of the home straight.

Paul Townend positioned Gaelic Warrior on the inside of the field, with the leaders ahead of him. The Jukebox Man was prominent early on, along with Grey Dawning.

Inothewayurthinkin was slow at the second flight, and was ridden away from it at the rear of the field. Jango Baie travelled kindly in the midfield, ahead of L'Homme Presse and Envoi Allen. Gold Tweet and Firefox were held up.

Mark Walsh never seemed happy aboard the defending champion, who continued to jump slowly at the rear. At the end of the first circuit, Sean Bowen got a little more animated in the saddle of Haiti Couleurs, asking the leader to pick up the pace.

Coming down the back straight, L'Homme Presse was the first to crack, and dropped back behind Inothewayurthinkin. Grey Dawning put in two slow jump, but still had the leaders within his sights.

At the fourth-last, Haiti Couleurs made his first mistake. The Jukebox Man was quick to pounce, moving onto the leader's shoulder. Jango Baie and Gaelic Warrior angled out off the rail. Grey Dawning was still in touch, and Inothewayurthinkin latched onto the leaders coming down the hill.

Your eyes were then immediately drawn to Gaelic Warrior, who has travelled and jumped beautifully throughout. Paul Townend was forced to take a pull on the leader between the third and second-last flights, but allowed Gaelic Warrior to stride on at the bottom of the hill.

Rich Ricci's star soon put daylight between himself and the chasing pack. Paul Townend remained unmoved in the saddle as Gaelic Warrior jumped the last, and Willie Mullins punched the air as his former Arkle winner landed National Hunt racing's biggest prize.

To his credit, Inothewayurthinkin pounded up the hill to try and challenge Jango Baie for second. Nicky Henderson's star had run a stormer too, but was forced to settle for second, ahead of the gallant defending champion.

Grey Dawning stayed on well too, finishing a fairly distant fourth. Haiti Couleurs made a few too many mistakes at the head of the field. The Jukebox Man simply didn't see out the trip. Huge credit has to go to Gold Tweet too, as Gabriel Leender's raider jumped and travelled sweetly, before getting found out on the climb for home.

In a horrific postscript to a sensational Gold Cup, Envoi Allen collapsed on the horse walk after the race and couldn't be saved by veterinary staff. Three Cheltenham Festival wins. Eight successive Festival appearances. A bona fide legend of the National Hunt game. RIP.