Cheltenham Festival: Gold Cup Betting Tips
The Cheltenham Gold Cup, the most prestigious prize in National Hunt racing, takes centre stage on the fourth and final day of the festival on Friday.
Run over an extended 3m 2f on the New Course the Grade 1 event, which was first run in 1924, is arguably one of the most open runnings in living memory.
A field of 11 have been declared, including current reigning champion Inothewayurthinkin.
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Selection: Jango Baie @ 4/1
With only 10lbs separating 10 of the 11 runners, this has a wide-open look to it; Gaelic Warrior and Inothewayurthinkin set the standard with marks of 170.
The Ben Pauling-trained The Jukebox Man had both Gaelic Warrior (third) and Nicky Henderson’s Jango Baie (fourth) behind in an epic King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day but he’s far from certain to confirm his superiority over this longer trip and more stamina demanding track, especially when noting only a half-length covered the first four home at the Sunbury venue.
There really are strong cases to be made for all three on Friday but preference is marginally given to Jango Baie (4/1), who arguably hit the finish line strongest at Kempton having got in tight to two of the last three fences under Nico de Boinville.
Last season’s Arkle winner was untried beyond 2m 5f previously but he got the trip well and could well improve again now tackling even further on this stiffer track.
Currently 3-6 over fences his two best performances have come on good ground and, although he’s got 3lbs to find with the top-rated pair on official figures, he’s already run to Racing Post ratings of 171 and 173 this season - the first of those coming on his seasonal comeback from wind surgery in the Grade 2 1965 Chase at Ascot.
Henderson, who has won this race twice in the past with Long Run (2011) and Bobs Worth (2013), has his team in scintillating form and victory here really would cap a memorable week for the legendary handler.
Next Best: Grey Dawning @ 16/1
Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning (16/1) could finish only third behind Spillane’s Tower and L’Homme Presse when a strong favourite for the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase over a bit shorter here in January but there’s a chance those tables can be turned this afternoon - the grey having lost valuable momentum when getting the second-last fence all wrong on that occasion.
The nine-year-old has only finished out of the first three once in 12 starts over fences (he never travelled following a serious early mistake when pulled up in the 2024 King George VI Chase at Kempton) and the form of his win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November puts him right in the mix in terms of Racing Post ratings (172).
He did appear to be outstayed by Gaelic Warrior when an excellent second in the Grade 1 Bowl Chase at Aintree last April but a repeat of that performance should see him sneak into the places.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change