16:00 Cheltenham

Friday 13 March 2026

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 1 | 3m 2f 70y | 11 Runners | Turf

Envoi Allen^t¹³²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 162| C

25/1

His record at this meeting is enviable having notched third Festival success in the 2023 Ryanair and placed in the next 2 renewals. Got the better of subsequent Savills Chase winner Affordale Fury at Down Royal on return, but you have to go back to 1969 for the last time a 12-y-o landed this prize.

Form: 24/1U3-1

Firefox^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| BF

25/1

Smart novice last season, unable to add to chase debut success but giving a good account at the highest level and sixth of 19 in the Golden Miller at this meeting. Landed the odds at Down Royal on return, but task is now to build on his fourth in the Irish Gold Cup upped further in trip.

Form: 362-124

Gaelic Warrior^h,t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 172| BF| C

7/2

Boasts a fine record at this meeting having finished second over hurdles at the 2022 and 2023 Festivals before going one better in the 2024 Arkle. Better than ever this season, landing the John Durkan before losing little in defeat at Kempton and Leopardstown, so he can make his presence felt.

Form: 311-132

Gold Tweet^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: C Lefebvre| T: Gabriel Leenders| OR: 144| BF| C

100/1

Winner of the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle here in 2023 and has won 5 times over fences in France, including a Grade 2 when last successful in this sphere back in December 2023. However, he was put in his place on sole previous chase start on these shores and looks to face a difficult task.

Form: F-26535

Grey Dawning⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 166| BF| C| D

12/1

Golden Miller winner at 2024 Festival and resumed with a comfortable success in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Bad mistake 2 out proved costly when third to Spillane's Tower here on Trials Day and less testing conditions should be in his favour this time, but a step forward will be required.

Form: 2P12-13

Haiti Couleurs³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 166| C

4/1

Successful in the National Hunt Chase at this meeting and Irish Grand National last spring. Flopped in the Betfair Chase in November but has otherwise continued to progress this season, winning the Denman Chase at Newbury in convincing fashion last month. Has proven stamina and could be in the mix.

Form: 11-1P11

Inothewayurthinkin^t,p1³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 172| CD

15/2

Kim Muir winner in 2024 and made it 2-2 at the Festival when coming out on top against Galopin des Champs in this race 12 months ago. Well below his best in 3 runs so far this season and, while it's possible that he'll again peak at this meeting, a major bounce back is needed with cheekpieces added.

Form: 541-59F

Jango Baie⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 167| BF| C

11/2

Winner here on chase debut last season and made it 2-2 at this venue when charging home in the Arkle. Impressive Grade 2 Ascot reappearance success was followed by a close fourth in the King George and another bold show is expected with this further step up in trip promising to suit.

Form: 1213-14

L'Homme Presse³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 164| C

40/1

Decisive winner of the Broadway Novices' Chase at the 2022 Festival and fourth in this race 2 years later. Clearly retains plenty of ability, aged 11, judged on this season's efforts but he was comprehensively outpointed by Haiti Couleurs in the Denman Chase last time.

Form: 31P-222

Spillane's Tower⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: J J Mangan| OR: 163| C

11/1

Grade 1-winning novice chaser who showed top-class form when runner-up in the 2024 John Durkan at Punchestown. After a couple of runs over hurdles, back on the scoresheet in 4-runner Cotswold Chase here in January, though he found a well-run King George a bit too much last season.

Form: 252-931

The Jukebox Man⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 168

5/2

Smart novice hurdler (went close in the Albert Bartlett at 2024 Festival) and successful both starts over fences last season, notably the Grade 1 Kauto Star. Again shone at Kempton on Boxing Day when making it 4-4 over fences in the King George and he's not taken lightly with more still to offer.

Form: 22/11-11

Forecasts

The Jukebox Man (3/1), Gaelic Warrior (7/2), Jango Baie (4/1), Haiti Couleurs (11/2), Inothewayurthinkin (7/1), Spillane's Tower (10/1), Grey Dawning (12/1), Envoi Allen (25/1), L'Homme Presse (33/1), Firefox (33/1), Gold Tweet (100/1)

An open-looking renewal, with preference for JANGO BAIE who ran as well as ever when a close fourth in the King George, despite the track not looking ideal for him. Upped further in distance, he is taken to reverse the Kempton form with Gaelic Warrior, who is respected given his Festival record for his leading trainer, while The Jukebox Man is unlikely to give up his unbeaten record over fences without a fight.