Cheltenham Gold Cup: Race Preview, Tips & Odds
4 minutes Here at betting.bet you’ll find an exclusive preview of the Gold Cup. Our preview includes the latest race odds, a comprehensive list of horse racing betting tips and the best Cheltenham Festival free bets.
One of the biggest events on the UK’s annual sporting calendar takes place on Friday with the Gold Cup the feature race on Day Four of a thrilling Cheltenham Festival. As we look ahead to jump racing’s blue riband event, here at betting.bet you’ll find an exclusive preview of the Gold Cup. Our preview includes the latest race odds, a comprehensive list of horse racing betting tips and the best Cheltenham Festival free bets.
Gold Cup Overview
The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain and this year’s winner will bag £363,999 in prize money. First run in 1924, a list of previous Gold Cup winners reads as a who’s who of jump racing royalty. National Hunt icons such as Arkle, Desert Orchid, Kauto Star, Denman and Best Mate have all won this contest in the past.
Golden Miller won a record five Gold Cups between 1932 and 1936 whilst Tom Dreaper is the contest’s most successful ever trainer with five wins with Prince Regent (1946), Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966) and Fort Leney (1968).
Galopin Des Champs: The History Maker
Having won the race in both 2023 and 2024, Galopin Des Champs is aiming to win a third straight Gold Cup this year. If the odds-on favourite delivers on Friday he will become just the fifth horse to win three or more Gold Cup, following in the footsteps of Golden Miller, Cottage Rake (1949 - 1951), Arkle (1964 - 1966) and Best Mate (2002 - 2004). A win for Galopin Des Champs will also hand trainer Willie Mullins a record-equalling fifth win whilst Paul Townend will break the record for jockey wins if he lands a sixth Gold Cup win.
Galopin Des Champs is not unbeatable, highlighted when defeated by Fact To File in both Punchestown Gold Cup and Punchestown Chase last year but he has looked back to his imperious best to win the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup since. Cheltenham Festival form reads 1F11 with that one blotch on his record a fall in the 2022 Turners when well-clear of subsequent winner Bob Olinger.
Major Players
Inothewayurthinkin was behind Galopin Des Champs in both recent runs at Leopardstown but looks the big danger for a yard in red-hot form. Supplemented for this race, Inothewayurthinkin won the Kim Muir at last year’s Cheltenham Festival before following up to land the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree. His recent form against Galopin Des Champs suggests he has a bit to find, but the greater emphasis on stamina at Cheltenham could bring out the best in him.
Banbridge has been fairly weak in the market but the King George winner cannot be disregarded with any great confidence. Prior to landing the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, Banbridge’s previous chase form was largely over shorter distances. If he travels well into the race, he could be the one pushing Galopin Des Champs hardest turning for home. However, staying on up the Cheltenham hill against the reigning champion will require something special.
Corbetts Cross is another strong contender, especially if the ground softens. A relentless galloper, he outstayed his rivals in last year's National Hunt Chase over 3m6f and has since proven himself against top-class opposition. No match for Banbridge in the King George but will relish the extra stamina test of the Gold Cup.
Pundit Predictions
Inevitably, Galopin Des Champs has been the leading pick amongst our panel of industry experts, tipsters and pundits. 40% of all tips submitted on the betting.bet horse racing tips page are in favour of the defending champion whilst 20% have opted for Inothewayurthinkin. The big each-way gamble looks to be Monty’s Star with Ben Linfoot (Sporting Life), Lydia Hislop (Racing TV) and Richard Hoiles (Betway) amongst those backing the in-form Rachael Blackmore / Henry de Bromhead team.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds
(Courtesy of Ladbrokes)
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galopin Des Champs | Paul Townend | M P Mullins | 1/2 |
| Inothewayurthinkin | Mark Walsh | Gavin Cromwell | 6/1 |
| Banbridge | J J Slevin | Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 7/1 |
| Monty's Star | Rachael Blackmore | Henry de Bromhead | 8/1 |
| Corbetts Cross | Jack Kennedy | Emmet Mullins | 14/1 |
| The Real Whacker | Brian Hughes | Patrick Neville | 28/1 |
| Ahoy Senor | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell | 50/1 |
| Gentlemansgame | Darragh O'Keeffe | M F Morris | 50/1 |
| Royale Pagaille | Charlie Deutsch | Venetia Williams | 80/1 |
