(3.5 minutes read)
The Cheltenham Gold Cup! The pinnacle of the Cheltenham Festival and blue riband of steeple chasing. It is the race that everybody wants to be involved in, let alone win it.
This year’s renewal has a special feel to it, not only as it is arguably a far more open affair than in recent years but the prospect of a British champion, the first since Native River obliged in 2018, could very well be on the cards.
The horses involved at the business end of the King George VI Chase, Jango Baie, The Jukebox Man and Gaelic Warrior are all prominent in the betting, whilst Ryanair hero Fact To File leads the market, although his participation is still not set in stone, with another crack at The Ryanair Chase also on the agenda.
It is a fantastic renewal of the classic stayer’s championship, plenty in with a shout and the race is set to be a huge betting bonanza.
We check out best Cheltenham Gold Cup bets with our partner firms, Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
NRNB: Non-Runner No Bet
We are pleased to announce that all of our partner firms are now offering NRNB (Non-Runner No Bet) for all Cheltenham Festival 2026 races. This means that any bets placed on horses running in The Cheltenham Festival will be refunded if the horse fails to take their place in the race for whatever reason.
The Big Players
Fact To File
The speculation regarding Fact To File’s Cheltenham destination has been one of the main talking points of Cheltenham Festival 2026 for some time now.
However, after his brilliant Irish Gold Cup win, putting Galopin Des Champ and Gaelic Warrior to the sword in emphatic fashion, attention has now turned towards a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup. And why not? This is a versatile horse who stays well over 3 miles at Cheltenham, jumps well, and keeps galloping.
He will stay the 3 miles 2 comfortably and should not be inconvenienced by faster going. We can draw a line through the King George run where he did run a little flat, however, King George form rarely translates well for a good Cheltenham Gold Cup performance. Best odds of 4/1 with Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, and Boylesports.
Jango Baie
This highly progressive Nicky Henderson trained seven-year-old was a surprise Arkle winner last year and has gone from strength to strength since in terms of performance and extending distances.
He stayed on well in The King George at Kempton and although form in that race can be taken with a pinch of salt, there is every reason to believe that he can step up to 3 miles 2 furlongs on decent ground, which he should get. However, there are question marks nevertheless over the distance and this selection would be a leap of faith. 11/2 best with William Hill.
The Jukebox Man
The Jukebox Man winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup would be one of the most popular results of all time due to the owning connection with the charismatic Harry Redknapp.
This is a versatile and consistent sort with a decent engine and that is evident with some excellent performances, not least his brave King George win. His staying credentials at Cheltenham are confirmed as he kept on well to finish second in the Albert Bartlett two years back.
He can run on any type of ground although this is a huge step up in class and he is yet to prove that he is an out and out stayer. Another leap of faith at 11/2 best with William Hill.
Gaelic Warrior
Another model of consistency from the Mullins yard. This Ricci owned eight-year-old is also an extremely versatile horse who acts on any going and is adaptable over distances with wins emerging from 2 miles 3f to 3 miles extended distances.
This is his first run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup after missing Cheltenham last year. Again, although he was very much in the King George finishing frame, we cannot confirm for sure if he is an out and out stayer. The Gold Cup course and distance is a far cry from Kempton and Punchestown over 3 miles so this will be uncharted territory.
Gaelic Warrior also holds an entry for The Ryanair Chase, and this may well be the final port of call as the Ryanair trip is more to his optimum, especially if Fact To File lines up in this race. Best odds of 11/2 with Bet365 and William Hill.
Inothewayurthinkin
The reigning champion is on the ropes. Is it yet another story of a Gold Cup winner being permanently scarred by a hard-fought emphatic win over the toughest fences and trip in the business?
Despite the positive soundbites emanating from trainer Gavin Cromwell, it will take an improvement of miraculous proportions for Inothewayurthinkin to figure this year. 15/2 best with Bet365.
Haiti Couleurs
What a brutal stayer this horse is. At least over valuable handicaps. Haiti Couleurs continues to defy the critics with hard fought galloping triumphs whether it be Cheltenham, Fairyhouse or the incredibly demanding Welsh National trip at Chepstow.
The big blot on his CV is that poor run in his one and only Grade One appearance in the Betfair Chase at Haydock which could be put down to early season cobwebs.
The crucial factor to note however is that unlike the front three in the betting, this progressive stayer has proved himself over the marathon distances.
Inothewayurthinkin is clearly not the same horse as last season. This Gold Cup is therefore for the taking and Haiti Couleurs could just be the missing link. Our pick to win The Cheltenham Gold Cup. Best odds of 8/1 with Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
Summary
A fascinating renewal of the flagship race of the Festival. Jango Baie, The Jukebox Man and Gaelic Warrior all deserve the market positions they find themselves in and Inothewayurthinkin will be a major player if back to his best.
However, the real staying players for me are Fact To File and Haiti Couleurs and this is where the race may pan out with the Rebecca Curtis trained Welsh and Irish National winner emerging marginally triumphant.
SELECTION: HAITI COULEURS WIN, 8/1 Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
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