The Ultimate Cheltenham Festival 2026 Guide for Australians
Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026: Can Galopin Des Champs Make History?
Three miles, two furlongs, and twenty-two fences. The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is the race that defines careers, creates legends, and breaks hearts in equal measure. On Friday 13 March, 28 of the world’s finest steeplechasers will line up on the New Course at Cheltenham, and one of them will etch their name into racing immortality.
The central question of the 2026 Gold Cup is whether Galopin Des Champs can become only the third horse in history to win three consecutive Gold Cups, joining the immortal Arkle (1964–66) and Best Mate (2002–04) in the pantheon of the sport’s greats. It is an extraordinary ambition, and one that his trainer Willie Mullins believes is entirely within reach.
The Field at a Glance
The 2026 Gold Cup carries 28 declared runners, with the going currently Good to Soft on the New Course. This is a surface that suits a strong galloper, and the forecast for race week suggests conditions will remain in that range.
By the way if you want to learn more about Cheltenham, read our guide here.
| Horse | Trainer | Rating | TS | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inothewayurthinkin | Gavin Cromwell | 184 | 166 | 41-59F |
| Galopin Des Champs | W P Mullins | 179 | 162 | 12-133 |
| Banbridge | Joseph Patrick O’Brien | 178 | 164 | 17-442 |
| Gaelic Warrior | W P Mullins | 178 | 167 | 11-132 |
| The Jukebox Man | Ben Pauling | 178 | 164 | /11-11 |
| Fact To File | W P Mullins | 177 | 171 | 1-4261 |
| Corbetts Cross | Gordon Elliott | 176 | 161 | 1-1111 |
| Jungle Boogie | Henry De Bromhead | 176 | 163 | 1-1131 |
Palmerbet
- 100% Australian
- Best Entertainment Odds
- Exclusive AFL & NRL Promos
Ladbrokes Review [Updated March 2026] | Ladbrokes.com.au Pros & Cons
- Info Hub
- Mates Mode
The Contenders in Depth
Galopin Des Champs — The King Defending His Crown
Willie Mullins’ superstar has won the last two Gold Cups in emphatic fashion, and his preparation for 2026 has been carefully managed. His form reads 12-133 this season, which at first glance looks like a horse in decline, but the context is crucial: his third-place finish in the Irish Gold Cup came behind two horses who are also in this field, and he was giving weight away in a race run at a ferocious pace. Mullins has always said that Galopin Des Champs is a horse who improves dramatically for the Cheltenham Festival atmosphere, and his two Gold Cup victories both came after what looked like below-par prep runs.
The key question is stamina. At ten years old, he remains a supremely talented horse, but the Gold Cup’s demands are unforgiving, and the younger generation is closing the gap.
Gaelic Warrior — The Heir Apparent
If there is one horse in this field that could make the step up to Gold Cup glory in a single bound, it is Gaelic Warrior. The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Arkle Chase at last year’s festival — a two-mile race — and has since demonstrated that he stays three miles with consummate ease. His topspeed figure of 167 is the highest in the field, and his jumping is close to flawless.
The concern, if there is one, is whether he has the physical and mental maturity to handle the unique pressure of a Gold Cup. He is still a relatively young horse by Gold Cup standards, and the race has a habit of exposing those who are not yet ready for its demands.
Banbridge — The Value Play
Trained by Joseph Patrick O’Brien, Banbridge is a horse who has been quietly building a formidable record. His form of 17-442 this season includes a good second to Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase and a fourth in the Irish Gold Cup — both races in which he was beaten by horses who are also in this field. He is a strong stayer who relishes soft ground, and at a bigger price than the Mullins horses, he represents genuine each-way value.
Inothewayurthinkin — The Dark Horse
Gavin Cromwell’s charge carries the highest official rating in the field at 184, and his form figures of 41-59F are somewhat misleading. He has been a revelation this season, winning his last two starts in impressive fashion, and his jumping has improved dramatically. The fall in his form figures refers to a fall at a fence last season, not a lack of ability. He is a horse on the upgrade, and at a price, he is well worth including in any each-way combination.
The Jukebox Man — The British Hope
Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man is the great British hope, having won his last two starts in impressive fashion. His form of /11-11 reads perfectly, and he is a horse who jumps well and stays strongly. He is a genuine contender, and at a price, he could be the value bet of the race.
Historical Trends: What the Data Tells Us
The Cheltenham Gold Cup has a rich history of favourites winning — in the last ten years, the market leader has obliged on five occasions. However, the race also has a history of producing shock results, particularly when the going is soft and the pace is strong.
Willie Mullins has an extraordinary record at Cheltenham, with 104 wins in total and a 12.4% win rate over the last five years. In the Gold Cup specifically, he has won the race three times in the last five years. His dominance of the market is reflected in the fact that he has three of the top four in the betting.
Gavin Cromwell is a trainer who has a 17.1% win rate at Cheltenham over the last five years — the highest of any trainer with more than 100 runners at the track. His record in big races is exceptional, and Inothewayurthinkin is his best horse by some margin.
The Verdict
This is a genuinely open Gold Cup, and you can make a case for several horses. Galopin Des Champs is the rightful favourite, but he is not the certainty he was in previous years. Gaelic Warrior is a huge talent who could be the next great Gold Cup horse, but this is a big ask for a six-year-old.
At the prices, BANBRIDGE (each-way) looks the most compelling wager. He is a proven stayer with a touch of class, he is still improving, and he has the profile of a horse who could run a massive race at a big price. The Jukebox Man is also worth including in any each-way combination as the best of the British.
Our Selection: Banbridge (each-way) | Saver: The Jukebox Man (each-way)
Going: Good to Soft (New Course) | Distance: 3m 2f 70y | Prize Money: £625,000 to the winner
Gambling responsibly means only betting what you can afford to lose. If you need support, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858.
