Day four of the Cheltenham Festival brings the week to its dramatic conclusion, with Gold Cup day delivering some of the most memorable moments in jump racing.
With competitive fields, strong Irish and British teams, and several wide-open markets, the final day rarely disappoints. Below are our previews and selections for all of Friday’s races as the curtain falls on another Cheltenham Festival.
13:20 Triumph Hurdle
The opening race on Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival is the Triumph Hurdle. Run over two miles on the New Course, it has a long record of producing future stars of the sport.
This year’s race looks particularly interesting, with several promising juveniles arriving at the Festival with solid form.
Proactif (9/2) currently heads the betting and sets the standard after a series of strong performances earlier in the season. If he reproduces that level of form here, he will take plenty of beating.
Next in the market is Selma De Vary (9/2), who has shown steady progress and arrives with a profile that suggests the Cheltenham test should suit.
Maestro Conti (7/1) is another runner attracting support and already has course form after winning here in January. Several analysts have also highlighted Minella Study (7/1) as a lively contender.
At around 7/1, Highland Crystal makes some each-way appeal. She finished ahead of Saratoga last time out, and that form now looks stronger after Saratoga landed the Fred Winter on the opening day of the Festival.
TIP: Proactif
MAIN DANGER: Maestro Conti
OUTSIDER: Highland Crystal
14:00 County Hurdle
The County Hurdle is one of the trickiest handicaps of the entire Cheltenham Festival and, even with a slightly smaller field than some years, it still looks a proper puzzle. The recent record of Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton in the race is hard to ignore.
Mullins again looks to hold a strong hand with Karbau (5/1) and Murcia (10/1).
For the Skelton yard, Sinnatra (5/1) looks another major player. Elsewhere, Absurde (18/1) returns to a race he knows so well, while Wilful (12/1) and Sixandahalf (14/1) are others with form that gives them a real chance in an open contest.
Given the recent history of the race, it would be no surprise to see either Mullins or Skelton land it again, and Murcia looks the one to side with, with Sinnatra feared most and Absurde interesting at a slightly bigger price.
TIP: Murcia
MAIN DANGER: Sinnatra
OUTSIDER: Absurde
14:40 Mares Chase
The Mares’ Chase is still a relatively new addition to the Cheltenham Festival, but the pattern so far has been clear. All five winners have been trained in Ireland, with Willie Mullins responsible for three of them.
Last year it was Dinoblue (2/1) who continued that trend, winning by eight and a half lengths after finishing second in the race in 2024. She returns this year looking to defend her crown.
The main danger could be Panic Attack (9/4) from the Dan Skelton yard, who arrives after a sequence of wins and continues to improve. Mullins also saddles Spindleberry (5/1), another high-class mare who cannot be ignored, while Only By Night (8/1) represents Gavin Cromwell, who won this race with Limerick Lace in 2024.
Given the race trends and the strength of the Mullins team, Dinoblue again looks the one they all have to beat.
TIP: Dinoblue
MAIN DANGER: Panic Attack
OUTSIDER: Only By Night
15:20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is often one of the toughest races of the entire Cheltenham Festival. Last year it was Jasmin De Vaux who landed the prize for Willie Mullins, giving the trainer another success in a race he has targeted strongly in recent seasons.
At the head of the market this year is Doctor Steinberg (11/4) from the Mullins yard, who arrives on the back of an impressive sequence of victories and looks certain to appreciate the step up to three miles.
Another strong contender is Thedeviluno (11/2) for Paul Nolan, whose consistent profile and proven stamina make him a serious threat.
Spinningayarn (16/1) from the Gordon Elliott yard is another runner worth noting.
Doctor Steinberg sets the standard on recent form, but in a race that regularly produces big-priced winners, several others in the field look capable of getting involved if they stay the trip.
TIP: Doctor Steinberg
MAIN DANGER: – Thedeviluno
OUTSIDER: – Spinningayarn
16:00 Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the race every owner, trainer and jockey wants to win, the blue riband of jump racing and the headline act on the final day of the Festival. Run over three miles and two and a half furlongs, it demands class, stamina and flawless jumping from start to finish.
A lot of eyes will be on The Jukebox Man (7/2), not just because of his form but because he is owned by Harry Redknapp, which would make him one of the most popular winners of the week. Trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Ben Jones, he has already shown he belongs at the top level and arrives here as one of the leading contenders for the biggest prize in jumps racing.
Haiti Couleurs (6/1) is another who makes plenty of appeal. The Rebecca Curtis-trained nine-year-old has put together a tremendous staying record, winning the 2025 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham by four and a half lengths, the 2025 Irish Grand National by three and a quarter lengths, and the 2025 Welsh Grand National carrying 11st 13lb, the highest weight ever carried to victory in that race.
He then confirmed his class again with a front-running win in the 2026 Denman Chase at Newbury. On form and proven stamina, he has to be taken very seriously.
With the likes of Gaelic Warrior (3/1), Jango Baie (4/1) and last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin also in the field, this looks a high-class renewal. Still, The Jukebox Man has the profile of a hugely popular winner, Haiti Couleurs brings outstanding staying form, and Envoi Allen (33/1) could be the one to outrun his odds.
TIP: The Jukebox Man
MAIN DANGER: Haiti Couleurs
OUTSIDER: Envoi Allen
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16:40 St James’s Place Hunters’ Chase
Last year, the race went to Wonderwall, who held off Its On The Line by a neck at odds of 28/1. That result continued a familiar story for Its On The Line, who has finished second in the 2024 and 2023 renewals and once again returns as one of the leading contenders.
Its On The Line (5/1) looks sure to be popular again. Trained by Emmet Mullins, he has the form and course experience to play a major role if things fall his way.
Panda Boy (5/1) is another Irish challenger with a solid staying profile and could be dangerous in a race that often rewards tough, battle-hardened types.
The defending champion Wonderwall (7/1) also commands respect after last year’s victory, while Con’s Roc (8/1) arrives with a progressive profile and could have more to offer in this sphere.
With a large field and the unique nature of the race, the Hunters’ Chase can often throw up surprises, but It’s On The Line again looks set to run a big race and may finally get the win his recent efforts in this contest deserve.
TIP: Wonderwall
MAIN DANGER: Its On The Line
OUTSIDER: Golden Son
17:20 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
The Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle brings the 2026 Cheltenham Festival to a close and, as ever, it looks a proper puzzle.
Open only to conditional jockeys, it has a habit of throwing up well-handicapped improvers from the top yards, with Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins and Joseph O’Brien all boasting strong records in the race.
Last year it was Wodhooh who gave Elliott a late Festival winner, and the Irish trainers again look to hold a strong hand in 2026. At the head of the market is Kel Histoire (4/1) for Willie Mullins, while stablemate Roc Dino (10/1) is also prominent in the betting and looks the sort to be well treated if getting a smooth run through the race.
One who catches the eye is East India Express (8/1) for Nicky Henderson, with Freddie Gordon booked for the ride.
With a huge field expected and plenty still in with chances, this is another Martin Pipe where picking the winner is only for the brave.
TIP: Roc Dino
MAIN DANGER: Kel Histoire
OUTSIDER: East India Express
As the final race is run and the crowd begins to drift away from Prestbury Park, another Cheltenham Festival comes to a close. Gold Cup day always carries a special atmosphere, and this year’s card once again looks packed with quality, competitive handicaps and one of the most prestigious races in the sport.
Whether you are backing a short-priced favourite, taking a chance on an each-way outsider, or simply enjoying the racing, the final afternoon of the Festival rarely fails to deliver a memorable finish to the week.
Good luck with your selections if you are having a bet, and most of all enjoy what should be a superb final day at Cheltenham.
BETFRED
