Galopin Des Champs Leads Star-Studded Field For Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026

The stage is set for one of the most anticipated events in the National Hunt racing calendar: the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup. As the centerpiece of the four-day Cheltenham Festival, this year’s Blue Riband event is scheduled to unfold on Friday, March 13, 2026, with the starter’s flag dropping at precisely 16:00. The Gold Cup, boasting a lucrative prize fund of £625,000, will see a field of elite chasers tackle the grueling 3 miles and 2½ furlongs of the New Course at Cheltenham, leaping 22 formidable fences along the way.

Few races in the world of jump racing can match the prestige or history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Legends such as Golden Miller, Arkle, Best Mate, and Desert Orchid have etched their names into the annals of the sport by conquering this very contest. Now, a fresh crop of equine stars is ready to chase their own slice of immortality, with a longlist of 33 hopefuls awaiting final declarations just two days before the big race.

At the top of this year’s market sits Galopin Des Champs, the 10-year-old superstar from the all-conquering Willie Mullins stable. Already a two-time Gold Cup winner, Galopin Des Champs is aiming to regain the crown he lost in dramatic fashion last season. After a third-place finish in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December 2025, the dual champion’s supporters believe that run was just what he needed to blow away the cobwebs. As one leading analyst put it, “I certainly would not rule out a third win, even at the age of 10, after running a stormer in the Savills Chase on his first start of the season. May still be the one to beat.”

But standing in his way is last year’s hero, Inothewayurthinkin, trained by Gavin Cromwell and owned by John P. McManus. In 2025, Inothewayurthinkin denied Galopin Des Champs a historic hat-trick with a storming finish up the Cheltenham hill. Yet, the reigning champion has not quite set the world alight this season, with two lackluster performances leaving some pundits scratching their heads. Still, Inothewayurthinkin’s affinity for spring racing and his proven Cheltenham credentials mean he can’t be discounted when the tapes go up.

While the Irish contingent is as strong as ever—23 of the 33 entries hail from across the Irish Sea—British hopes are far from extinguished. Chief among them is The Jukebox Man, trained by Ben Pauling and owned by football legend Harry Redknapp. The Jukebox Man announced himself as a major force by landing the prestigious King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day 2025, showing remarkable grit to reclaim the lead on the short run-in. Jockey Ben Jones will be hoping to replicate that magic on the Cheltenham turf, with many observers surprised the gelding isn’t at the very top of the betting.

Another British-trained runner to watch is Jango Baie, a seven-year-old from Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard. Jango Baie finished a close fourth behind The Jukebox Man in the King George, and his stamina-laden pedigree suggests the testing Gold Cup trip might play to his strengths. According to the racing press, “Many people’s idea of the horse to take out of the King George with this race in mind.”

Willie Mullins, the festival’s perennial leading trainer, has entered a remarkable nine horses in this year’s Gold Cup. In addition to Galopin Des Champs, his squad features Gaelic Warrior—third in the King George and winner of the John Durkan Chase—plus Grand National winners I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett. Gaelic Warrior, in particular, has his admirers, with Patrick Mullins boldly predicting last year that “this horse would win a Gold Cup.”

Other notable contenders include Grey Dawning, trained by Dan Skelton and the winner of the Betfair Chase at Haydock, and Haiti Couleurs, who gave Wales a day to remember by winning the Welsh Grand National under the guidance of Rebecca Curtis and jockey Sean Bowen. Scotland’s hopes rest with Myretown, trained jointly by Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, while France is represented by Gold Tweet, the sole Gallic entry.

The field is further bolstered by a host of seasoned campaigners and rising stars. Affordale Fury, trained by Noel Meade, threw his hat into the ring by defeating a high-class field—including both Galopin Des Champs and Inothewayurthinkin—in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown. The likes of Banbridge, Fastorslow, and Grangeclare West add depth to a race that promises to be fiercely competitive from start to finish.

As always, the Gold Cup is not just a test of speed and stamina but also of jumping prowess and tactical acumen. The New Course at Cheltenham is renowned for its demanding uphill finish, which has played host to countless dramatic climaxes over the years. With multi-day tickets for the Club, Tattersalls, and Best Mate enclosures already sold out, and single-day tickets selling fast, anticipation is building to fever pitch among racing fans across Britain, Ireland, and beyond.

Beyond the headline acts, each runner brings their own story and connections to the festival. From the evergreen Envoi Allen, now 12 and still chasing big prizes, to the only mare in the field, Spindleberry, who has racked up five straight wins and could yet spring a surprise, every entry represents months—if not years—of hard work, dreams, and ambition.

Prize money is a major draw, with £351,687 awaiting the winner and substantial rewards all the way down to eighth place. Yet, for many involved, it’s the prestige, tradition, and sheer thrill of Gold Cup day that matters most. As the greats of the past—Golden Miller, Arkle, Best Mate—have shown, victory at Cheltenham is the stuff of legend.

With final declarations and jockey bookings set to be revealed in the week leading up to the race, speculation will only intensify. Will Galopin Des Champs reclaim his throne? Can Inothewayurthinkin recapture last year’s magic? Or will a new star emerge to write their name in racing history?

One thing’s for sure: when the field lines up at 4pm on March 13, all eyes will be on Cheltenham for a contest that rarely disappoints. Whether you’re a seasoned punter or a casual fan, this year’s Gold Cup promises a thrilling spectacle packed with drama, heart, and the very best of jump racing.