The feature race of Cheltenham Festival is here - who leads the betting market?
The blue riband of the Cheltenham Festival takes centre stage on Friday as the Cheltenham Gold Cup once again crowns the season’s outstanding staying chaser. An 11-strong field is set to tackle the prestigious contest, with Gaelic Warrior heading the market after finishing runner-up in the Irish Gold Cup. The defending champion Inothewayurthinkin returns to defend his crown for Gavin Cromwell, though his recent form leaves him with plenty to prove.
Irish trainers have dominated the race in recent years - winning the last seven renewals - and leading powerhouses Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead have shared five of the past six victories between them.
The home challenge includes The Jukebox Man, winner of the King George VI Chase, alongside Jango Baie and Grey Dawning, while seasoned campaigner Envoi Allen bids for a memorable farewell in his eighth appearance at the Festival.
2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup Runners & Riders
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Gaelic Warrior – Paul Townend – 4/1
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The Jukebox Man – Ben Jones – 4/1
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Jango Baie – Nico de Boinville – 9/2
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Haiti Couleurs – Sean Bowen – 6/1
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Inothewayurthinkin – Mark Walsh – 15/2
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Grey Dawning – Harry Skelton – 14/1
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Spillane’s Tower – Harry Cobden – 14/1
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Envoi Allen – Darragh O’Keeffe – 28/1
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Firefox – Jack Kennedy – 33/1
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L’Homme Presse – Charlie Deutsch – 55/1
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Gold Tweet – C. Lefebvre – 125/1
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Who's favourite to win the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup?
With Galopin Des Champs ruled out, the Cheltenham Gold Cup market has taken on a new shape, leaving Gaelic Warrior (4/1 with various bookmakers) near the head of the betting for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
The talented eight-year-old brings Grade 1 form after finishing runner-up in the Irish Gold Cup, though there remain lingering questions over whether he will fully see out the trip in a strongly run renewal.
Britain’s challenge is spearheaded by The Jukebox Man (4/1 with Ladbrokes), winner of the King George VI Chase, whose unbeaten chasing campaign has propelled him into the top tier of the market, while Jango Baie (9/2 With Paddy Power) is another prominent contender after a strong effort in the Kempton showpiece that hinted this longer test could suit. Haiti Couleurs (6/1 with bet365) also features prominently among the leading hopes, particularly if the forecast rain arrives, with his proven stamina and toughness making him one of the more intriguing British challengers in what looks an open renewal at the head of the betting.
Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026 Odds
| Horse | Best Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Gaelic Warrior | 4/1 | Various |
| The Jukebox Man | 4/1 | Ladbrokes |
| Jango Baie | 9/2 | SpreadEx |
| Haiti Couleurs | 6/1 | bet365 |
| Inothewayurthinkin | 15/2 | Unibet |
| Grey Dawning | 14/1 | AKBets |
| Spillane’s Tower | 14/1 | William Hill |
| Envoi Allen | 28/1 | William Hill |
| Firefox | 33/1 | Various |
| L’Homme Presse | 55/1 | AKBets |
| Gold Tweet | 125/1 | Ladbrokes |
Odds correct as of 15:15 on 12/03/2026.
2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup Most Backed Horses
The table below shows the percentage of bets taken through oddschecker in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the last 24 hours.
| Horse | % of Bets | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| The Jukebox Man | 22.63% | 4/1 |
| Haiti Couleurs | 18.98% | 6/1 |
| Gaelic Warrior | 16.24% | 4/1 |
| Jango Baie | 12.41% | 9/2 |
| Spillane’s Tower | 10.58% | 14/1 |
| Inothewayurthinkin | 5.84% | 15/2 |
| Grey Dawning | 4.20% | 14/1 |
| Firefox | 3.28% | 33/1 |
| L’Homme Presse | 2.74% | 55/1 |
| Envoi Allen | 2.37% | 28/1 |
| Gold Tweet | 0.91% | 125/1 |
Cheltenham Gold Cup Race Trends
- 12 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9
- 12 of the previous 12 winners had already won a Grade 1
- 10 of the previous 12 winners were rated 164 or higher
- 9 of the previous 12 winners had at least 2 runs that season
- 8 of the previous 12 winners won last time out
- 8 of the previous 12 winners had won at Cheltenham
Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting Tips
In what looks a wide-open renewal of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Jango Baie appeals as a major contender after shaping far better than the bare result when finishing fourth in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse. The Nicky Henderson runner was making his first attempt at three miles that day yet finished strongly in what was effectively a tightly bunched four-way finish behind The Jukebox Man, suggesting there is little between the pair. A solid gallop at Cheltenham Racecourse should play to his strengths, particularly given how powerfully he finished when landing the Arkle Challenge Trophy at last year’s Festival. With proven course form, expected improvement for the step up in trip and conditions likely to suit, Jango Baie looks well positioned to reverse that Kempton form and emerge as a serious contender for Gold Cup glory.
Jango Baie - Best Price 9/2 at the time of publishing.
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