Latest from Horse & Hound in Cheltenham-gold-cup

Cheltenham Gold Cup confirmed runners and riders for 2026 after a late withdrawal

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:17:05 +0000

The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is a historic jumps race and the highlight of the annual Cheltenham Festival (10-13 March 2026).

The £625,000 contest boasts an illustrious role of honour, with chasing legends including Golden Miller, Arkle, Best Mate and Desert Orchid all having triumphed over the past 101 years.

So who are the Cheltenham Gold Cup runners and riders for 2026 and who is tipped to win on day 4? With final declarations revealed on Wednesday 11 March, the following information has been updated to reflect the final entries for this year’s race. One of the most popular runners was set to be the Jimmy Mangan-trained Spillane’s Tower, but he was ruled out of the Gold Cup on Friday morning (13 March) as connections believe the ground isn’t soft enough for him.

Cheltenham Gold Cup runners 2026

A longlist of 33 potential Cheltenham runners for the 2026 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup was released in early January. The horses have been whittled down until this final list of declared runners and riders was announced two days before the big race on Friday 13 March. With Spillane’s Tower’s late withdrawal, we are now down to 10 runners.

Headlining this year’s Cheltenham entries is reigning champion Inothewayurthinkin, who is trained in Ireland by Gavin Cromwell and who was ridden to victory in the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup by jockey Mark Walsh. Another past winner, dual champion Galopin Des Champs from the all-conquering Willie Mullins stable, was withdrawn last week. Winning jockey Paul Townend now rides stablemate Gaelic Warrior.

Five of the 11 Cheltenham Gold Cup entries represent Ireland, but some high-calibre British contenders are also among those entered. The leading hopes for Great Britain look set to be the Ben Pauling-trained The Jukebox Man (jockey: Ben Jones), who was the hero of Kempton on Boxing Day when winning the King George VI Chase for owner Harry Redknapp, and seven-year-old Jango Baie, who finished a close fourth to The Jukebox Man that day. He is trained at Seven Barrows by Nicky Henderson, who will be bidding for a third win in the Cheltenham Gold Cup after Long Run in 2011 and Bobs Worth two years later.

Dan Skelton will be hoping to etch his name on the Gold Cup for the first time with key hope Grey Dawning, already a Grade One winner with his brother Harry Skelton riding. Flying the flag for Wales will be the Irish and Welsh Grand National victor Haiti Couleurs, trained by Rebecca Curtis and ridden by Sean Bowen.

Willie Mullins always sends over a rich assortment of Cheltenham entries and his sole hope for Friday’s Blue Riband race is Gaelic Warrior, ridden by Paul Townend.

Further down the entries, there’s a sole entry from France in the form of Gold Tweet.

Odds for the Cheltenham Gold Cup entries

On Friday morning, three horses are now vying for favouritism in the betting market for the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup – the ever popular The Jukebox Man, Jango Baie and Gaelic Warrior.

Inothewayurthinkin and Haiti Couleurs are also among the shorter priced horses in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The longest-priced winner of the race was Norton’s Coin, who was sent off at odds of 100/1 to win in 1990, and Gold Tweet is currently priced at around 150/1.

Gaelic Warrior, The Jukebox Man, Banbridge and Jango Baie are involved in a pulsating finish for Kempton’s King George VI Chase. The quartet could cross paths again in the 2026 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Cheltenham Gold Cup entries 2026

Here is the final list of 10 – updated to reflect the late withdrawal of Spillane’s Tower on Friday – Cheltenham Gold Cup runners for this year’s Grade One showpiece, the most valuable jumps race in Great Britain and Ireland after the Grand National. The full Cheltenham racecards are now available. The 2026 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place at 4pm on Friday 13 March.

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup runners

Envoi Allen (Trainer: Henry de Bromhead, jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe)
Firefox (Gordon Elliott, jockey Jack Kennedy)
Gaelic Warrior (Willie Mullins, Paul Townend)
Gold Tweet (Gabriel Leenders, Clement Lefebvre)
Grey Dawning (Dan Skelton, Harry Skelton)
Haiti Couleurs (Rebecca Curtis, Sean Bowen)
Inothewayurthinkin (Gavin Cromwell, jockey Mark Walsh)
Jango Baie (Nicky Henderson, Nico de Boinville)
L’Homme Presse (Venetia Williams, Charlie Deutsch)
The Jukebox Man (Ben Pauling, Ben Jones)

Cheltenham Gold Cup past winners

Making history as the first ever winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1924 was Red Splash, who earned his owner £685 in prize money. Golden Miller is the most successful horse in the race with five victories to his name and Paul Townend jointly holds the record as the most successful jockey with Pat Taaffe, with four Gold Cup wins apiece.

Other legendary Cheltenham racehorses to have triumphed in the feature race include Cottage Rake, Arkle, L’Escargot, Desert Orchid, Best Mate and Kauto Star. Rachael Blackmore made history in 2022 when she became the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup; she rode the Henry de Bromhead-trained A Plus Tard.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major events this year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

How to watch Cheltenham Festival 2026 live from anywhere in the world on Gold Cup Day

georgia.guerin@futurenet.com (Georgia Guerin) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:25:09 +0000

Join the nation in watching Cheltenham Festival on TV today to witness “the greatest show on turf” with the added bonus of excellent angles, exciting commentary and expert punditry.

Today is the final day of Cheltenham Festival, which began on Tuesday, and the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup starts at 4pm.

At a glance

Cheltenham Festival dates: 10–13 March 2026
TV coverage: ITV (UK, FREE) or Racing TV
Watch Cheltenham from anywhere: Use this NordVPN deal (73% off)

How to watch the Cheltenham Festival

ITV will screen most of the action live and for free, while Racing TV (Sky channel 424/Virgin Media 536) will broadcast via its subscription-based service.

You don’t an ITVX subscription to watch live racing – just an email address and a valid TV license. You can register for a free account or download the app to your mobile device.

If you’re away from home, you can use NordVPN to unlock your ITVX stream of this week’s Cheltenham action from anywhere in the world.

Free ITV coverage

ITV Racing will broadcast racing from Cheltenham Racecourse on 10–13 March from 12:30pm–5pm. You can watch on TV or online via ITVX.

The first six races on each day of the Cheltenham Festival are broadcast live on ITV1 (and can be streamed on ITVX). The ITV coverage is limited, however, to the first six races as it will only run between 12:45pm and 5pm. This means that the final race of each day (starting at 5:20pm) will not be available on ITV.

There is also “The Opening Show” each morning (9–10am) where they will preview the day’s racing. This is shown on ITV4 and ITVX. Finally, there is also a Cheltenham Festival Highlights show available on ITVX, which is a round up of each day after the event.

Who’s presenting ITV racing at Cheltenham?

The ITV racing coverage will, once again, be hosted by Ed Chamberlin, who has been the ITV Racing presenter since 2017. Richard Hoiles will be the lead commentator.

Analysis will be provided by former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner AP McCoy, extremely successful retired jockeys Ruby Walsh and Mick Fitzgerald, and jockey turned presenter Megan Nicholls.

Matt Chapman, Alice Plunkett, Rishi Persad and Luke Harvey will be roving reporters bringing you the biggest stories from around Prestbury Park.

Oli Bell presents the The Opening Show each morning.

How to watch the Cheltenham Festival live from anywhere

Coverage on ITVX is geo-blocked outside the UK. A VPN, though, will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get 73% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

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Today’s race times at Cheltenham

Day 4: Gold Cup Day (Friday, 13 March)

1.20pm | The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
2.00pm | The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
2.40pm | The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)
3.20pm | The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.00pm | The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)
4.40pm | The Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
5.20pm | The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Have you made a bet? Here are our Cheltenham Day 4 tips

What are today’s highlights at Cheltenham?

Today’s highlights are the Grade One Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, which is run over three miles, and the Grade One Ryanair Chase, which is a shorter 2m4½f. The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is considered the ultimate test of stamina for long-distance hurdlers, while the Ryanair Chase is ideal for horses that are too fast for the Gold Cup but need more stamina than the Champion Chase provides, and the fences are higher, which leaves less room for error.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 race times

All these races will be broadcast on ITVX. Races at 5.20pm (shown in italics) are available on Racing TV, while the feature races of each day are shown in bold.

Day 1: Champion day – Tuesday, 10 March

1.20pm | The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
2.00pm | The Singer Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
2.40pm | The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
3.20pm | The Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
4.00pm | The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.40pm | The TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
5.20pm | The Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase

Read our Cheltenham Day 1 report.

Day 2: Ladies Day – Wednesday, 11 March

1.20pm | The Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
2.00pm | The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
2.40pm | The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
3.20pm | The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
4.00pm | The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
4.40pm | The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
5.20pm | The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)

Read our Cheltenham Day 2 report.

Today – Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday, 12 March

1.20pm | The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
2.00pm | The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
2.40pm | The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
3.20pm | The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.00pm | The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
4.40pm | The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
5.20pm | The Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

Read our Cheltenham Day 3 report.

Day 4: Gold Cup Day – Friday, 13 March

1.20pm | The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
2.00pm | The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
2.40pm | The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)
3.20pm | The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.00pm | The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)
4.40pm | The Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
5.20pm | The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Have you made a bet? Here are our Cheltenham Day 4 tips

How to watch the 5.20pm race at Cheltenham

As the ITV coverage ends at 5pm, to watch the 5.20pm races each day you will need to sign up to Racing TV (Sky channel 424/Virgin Media 536).

What time is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup will start at 4pm today, Friday 13 March, which is Gold Cup Day at the Cheltenham Festival. Following the final declarations on Wednesday, 11 March, the Cheltenham Gold Cup runners have now been confirmed.

When is the big race at Cheltenham Festival?

Racing fans are treated to a “championship” race every day of the Cheltenham Festival, beginning on Tuesday with the Unibet Champion Hurdle, Wednesday features the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, on Thursday it’s the Ryanair Chase and it all culminates on Friday with the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Each showpiece race runs as the fourth race and will start at 4pm. However, each of the 28 races over the four days offers something to savour with 12 Grade One (top level) races in total.

What is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt race run at Cheltenham Racecourse over a distance of about 3m 2½f with 22 fences to be jumped. Gold Cup Day is considered the grand finale of the Cheltenham Festival and the race has crowned some of the greatest champions in jump racing history.

Is the Cheltenham Gold Cup on TV?

Yes, you can watch the Cheltenham Gold Cup for free on ITV or ITVX – the Gold Cup sets off at 4pm today (Friday, 13 March), but it’s one of seven races throughout the day. ITV Racing is broadcasting 12:30–5pm.

You don’t an ITVX subscription to watch live racing – just an email address and a valid TV license. You can register for a free account or download the app to your mobile device.

If you’re away from home, you can use NordVPN to unlock your ITVX stream of this week’s Cheltenham action from anywhere in the world.

How to bet at Cheltenham Festival

Online betting companies will be clamouring for your custom during Cheltenham Festival so look out for some of their promotional deals for new customers which include everything from a free bet to giving your money back if your horse loses.

You’ll need to deposit some money into your betting account, choose a race, select your horse (you could study the form and read our tips for day 4, or you could simply pick your lucky number of favourite colour from the jockeys’ silks) and the type of bet — then get ready to cheer!

How to watch Cheltenham Festival in person

If you don’t already have your Cheltenham Festival ticket, there are no more options to watch in person this year as Gold Cup Day is sold out. Thinking of visiting next year? Book somewhere to stay now before everyone else – here’s a list of hotels near Cheltenham Racecourse and other accommodation.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Cheltenham Festival and other major events, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Cheltenham day 4 tips from racing experts, including some cracking outsiders and ‘a great each-way bet’ in the Gold Cup

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:13:00 +0000

Nothing beats the Friday feeling at the Cheltenham Festival – it’s Gold Cup day! So now’s the time to mark your card with some of our racing experts’ Cheltenham day 4 tips.

We have three Grade Ones among the seven races scheduled for us to enjoy on the final day of Cheltenham Festival, starting with the JCB Triumph Hurdle, then the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle before all eyes turn to Cheltenham’s blue riband race, the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

So who will be returning to the winner’s enclosure on Friday 13 March? We’ve asked the racing experts to share their Cheltenham day 4 tips and here they are. Good luck!

Cheltenham day 4 tips

Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase tips (2.40pm)

Panic Attack

Trainer: Dan Skelton | Jockey: Harry Skelton

Panic Attack is my pick as H&H racing editor. The trainer reckons this mare is one of his best chances all week. She’s been unbeaten all season, including in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham racecourse in November over a similar distance, where she skipped gleefully up the Cheltenham hill, proving she has the right attitude as well as the talent to win.

Diva Luna

Trainer: Ben Pauling | Jockey: Ben Jones

Racing journalist Carl Evans says: “A very good hurdler, Diva Luna has looked an even better chaser in two races this season.”

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle tips (3.20pm)

Thedeviluno

Trainer: Paul Nolan | Jockey: TBC

If you’re watching Cheltenham on TV, you’ll be enjoying Richard Hoiles’ commentary on ITV Racing. He says: “Stamina is the key and that is this horse’s suit whilst also having some pace. His win at Doncaster last time stamped him as a major Festival player and he’s the one to beat.”

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup tips (4pm)

The Jukebox Man

Trainer: Ben Pauling | Jockey: Ben Jones

Racing journalist Carl Evans says: “Haiti Couleurs has shown an abundance of stamina and won at the Festival last year, but The Jukebox Man can find a touch more speed at the business end.”

Envoi Allen

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead | Jockey: TBC

ITV Racing presenter Alice Plunkett says: “Envoi Allen is 12 years young and a Festival favourite, he’s won here three times and this will be an incredible eighth Festival. He comes alive here, has amazing form around this track and is a great each way bet.”

Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase tips (4.40pm)

Its On The Line

Trainer: Emmet Mullins | Jockey: TBC

Racing journalist Carl Evans says: “It’s On The Line, second in this race for the past three years, is very likely to be involved in the finish once again, but Golden Son and Barton Snow have sporting each-way chances.”

So that’s your Cheltenham day 4 tips all sewn up. Enjoy Gold Cup day! You can relive the whole 2026 Cheltenham Festival and enjoy added insight, interviews and exclusive comment in H&H’s bumper magazine report, in the shops Thursday 19 March.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Conjurer, caviar and quaffing champagne: the £999 train ticket to Cheltenham

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:06:25 +0000

Among the thousands of people travelling to Cheltenham on Friday (13 March) for the Gold Cup will be almost 300 doing it in unique style.

The lucky few are those who have paid £799 or £999 to make their way from London to the Festival on the 1930s Northern Belle. Standard tickets on the restored Pullman-style train are a snip at the lower price, but for those who want that extra touch of style, there’s the Krug Class option.

Passengers will walk a red carpet across the platform at Paddington and settle into the Northern Belle’s seven carriages, each named after a British castle or stately home, to enjoy a mimosa served by stewards in full livery.

Yorkshire businessman David Pitts, who bought the vintage train from the Belmond Orient Express group, said: “Who says there’s a financial crisis? We sold out in record time and could have sold twice as many tickets. We’ve been running the train for several years, but we’ve never had such a response before.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

A three-course “caviar brunch” is on offer on the outward journey – the sample menu features granola with Peak District honey and Earl Grey syrup and treacle-cured bacon with souffle potato – and a National Hunt jockey will be on hand to share tips for the day’s racing. The train has its own musicians and conjurer to ensure no one gets bored on the journey to Evesham station, which lasts about two and a half hours.

The Northern Belle leaves Evesham at about 8.45pm for the return journey, during which a five-course dinner, port and wine will be served. The food is prepared by a chef whose clients have included The King, Rod Stewart and Madonna.

“Not everybody can afford to stump up £1,000 to go to Cheltenham but no matter how they get on with the racecourse bookies, our passengers will be on a winner with the Northern Belle,” said Mr Pitts. “That’s a cert.”

The train will also take passengers from Manchester, Crewe and Birmingham to ladies’ day at Royal Ascot in June, and from London to Goodwood in July.

To stay up to date with all the breaking equestrian news throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Cheltenham Festival heroes: Dawn Run – ‘She despised nothing more than the spectre of defeat’

Julian Muscat — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 08:30:13 +0000

On the eve of the Cheltenham Festival and 40 years on from her Gold Cup win, we remember the magical Dawn Run, the only horse ever to win both the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. “Ferocious” in the stable, this Irish mare’s prowess on the racecourse was never in doubt, says Julian Muscat

There are several strands to Dawn Run’s status as a legend of the Turf. She merits that description for the fact that 40 years ago, in 1986, she was the best steeplechaser over all distances from two miles to 3¼ miles. It would be warranted, too, for her unique achievement in 1984, when she won the Irish, British and French Champion Hurdles.

Yet her greatest claim to fame is that she remains the only horse in history to win both the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

That prestigious double has eluded all others because of the diverse qualities required to win both races. The Champion Hurdle, with its emphasis on speed and quicksilver jumping, is the polar opposite of the Gold Cup, in which stamina and resilience are at a premium. But it all came alike to Dawn Run. There was nothing she despised more than the spectre of defeat.

And of course, she was a mare. A common perception in racing is that mares are inclined to wilt when confronted by male opponents. It largely holds true; hence the 5lb weight allowance mares receive from males on the racecourse. Conversely, however, a tough, hardy mare will put males to shame.

Not for nothing was Dawn Run described by Maureen Mullins, wife of her trainer Paddy Mullins, as the “most ferocious” among thousands of horses to pass through their stable. She was her own soul and woe betide anybody who challenged her authority, in or out of the saddle. Her box was her own private domain.

“She was quite a savage in that way,” says Tony Mullins, who rode Dawn Run to 15 of her 21 victories. “If a stranger went into her stable, she’d let him have it.”

When it came to racing, however, all was sweetness and light. Dawn Run would quickly become Ireland’s pride and joy.

Dawn Run was equally adept at both hurdling and chasing, winning both codes’ premier races. (Image credit: Alamy)

Dawn Run and the ‘galloping granny’

Dawn Run had for an owner an equally redoubtable woman in Charmian Hill, who gave 5,800gns for the filly as an unbroken three-year-old at public auction. Charmian also rode the mare on her first three starts in “bumper” races on the Flat for young, inexperienced horses. Dawn Run won the third of them at Tralee in 1982, but not before she tried to bite a horse with the temerity to challenge her for the lead.

Just days later, the Irish authorities refused to extend Charmian’s riding licence on the grounds of her advancing years. She was 62. Very much of the old school, she was brought up around horses on the family’s Monksgrange Stud in Wexford. She’d started riding as an amateur in her 40s and vented full spleen at the Irish stewards’ decision to stand her down.

Known to all as the “galloping granny”, Charmian was pivotal to the Dawn Run story. She frequently rode the mare in morning exercise on the Mullins’ circular, 2f, all-weather gallop, where she was rarely in control of her headstrong partner. Having broken her leg in a fall one morning, Charmian resumed the partnership some months later with increased enthusiasm.

She was also brash in her convictions. On each of Dawn Run’s three visits to the Cheltenham Festival hill, she displaced Tony Mullins, Paddy’s son and the mare’s regular rider, in favour of a more established jockey. It was Jonjo O’Neill who rode Dawn Run to her Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup triumphs, in the process bringing tinges of sadness to what would otherwise have been an unforgettable family affair.

Now a trainer like his much-decorated brother Willie Mullins, Tony remembers every facet of Dawn Run’s career. He vividly recalls the moment when Charmian almost casually dropped a bombshell after his victory aboard the mare at Down Royal in late 1983.

“I won quite well,” he recalls, “but when I came in, Mrs Hill told me that since Dawn Run looked like a Champion Hurdle mare, I wouldn’t be riding her for the rest of the season.”

Just like that. Even when he was again “jocked off” ahead of Dawn Run’s 1986 Gold Cup triumph, Tony Mullins offered great assistance to Jonjo during a crucial schooling session at Punchestown one week before the big race. It probably made the difference. Jonjo recognised as much when he hoisted him atop his shoulders and carried him to the presentation dais at Cheltenham to pick up his winner’s trophy.

“It was difficult even though the place was really buzzing,” Jonjo reflects of that famous day. “It was Tony who’d done everything with Dawn Run, not me. I was just lucky enough to get on her. All Tony had done was help me.”

On that highly charged occasion, with Irish hordes still intoxicated by the excitement of a dramatic conclusion to the Gold Cup, Paddy Mullins was nowhere to be seen. Wounded by the absence of his son from the saddle, he’d sent his wife to receive his trophy from The Queen Mother and made his way instead to the sanctuary of the racecourse stables.

It would emerge over time that Paddy Mullins, who died in 2010, could never bring himself to watch a replay of Dawn Run’s Gold Cup triumph. Nor did he and his son ever sit down and talk about the contrasting emotions intertwined with the mare’s triumph.

Tony Mullins, for his part, was always magnanimous in public. On Gold Cup day, he was taken aback to be asked how he felt about missing the winning ride.

“My family had just won the Gold Cup,” he recalls. “The excitement of it far outweighed losing the ride myself.

“The disappointment of not riding her came much later on. It was a very hurtful thing the way it happened. It ran deep.”

‘This one is out of the ordinary’

Even though Dawn Run showed abundant promise in her early races, it was impossible to envisage her progression to the highest peaks. Tony Mullins admits he never saw it coming, although his father, who would win 10 champion trainer titles in Ireland, had more than an early inkling.

“When she was young, she was a masculine-looking filly who never did anything spectacular at home,” Tony says. “Before she ran, nobody ever said: ‘By God, this is the one.’

“But after my brother [Tom] had won a bumper on her, Dad said to me: ‘This one is out of the ordinary.’ I was quite surprised. I knew by the way he said it that he thought she was something else.”

The jumping fraternity would get a glimpse of Paddy Mullins’ intuition when Dawn Run paid her first visit to the Cheltenham Festival in 1983. Charmian stood Tony down in favour of Ron Barry, who rode the mare into a commendable second place behind Sabin Du Loir in the SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle (now the Ballymore).

Sabin Du Loir looked like winning easily, but Dawn Run made him pull out all the stops. It was Barry’s first time aboard the mare and a consensus held that he may even have won had he set a stronger pace aboard Dawn Run. Barry was not to know of the mare’s remarkable ability to maintain a punishing, end-to-end gallop. She could contrive a racing rhythm that would have seen most horses throw in the towel long before the finish.

With Barry sidelined by a fall, Tony was back aboard when Dawn Run ventured to Aintree three weeks later, where they waltzed to victory.

“Then came the first portent of the heights the strapping mare would one day scale. Saddled up again just 24 hours later, Dawn Run made Gaye Brief – winner of the Champion Hurdle three weeks earlier – work hard to suppress her in the Templegate Hurdle. And when Dawn Run won again in a canter at Punchestown two weeks later, the extent of her prowess had become plain.

Dawn Run picked up where she left off the following season until her Down Royal victory, when Charmian told Tony he would be replaced as the mare took aim at the Champion Hurdle. With Jonjo now aboard, Dawn Run won the Christmas Hurdle and Irish Champion Hurdle before descending on Cheltenham for the second time.

Up against her in the Champion Hurdle was another habitual front-runner in Desert Orchid, no less, but Dawn Run led the grey until halfway. Desert Orchid briefly went on but the mare had his measure by the third-last flight, when the field bunched up alongside her. At that point, Jonjo prompted Dawn Run, who shrugged off the persistent Buck House before she resisted Cima’s late thrust to carry the day by three-quarters of a length.

Irish eyes misted up as they cheered Dawn Run every step of the way into the winner’s enclosure. She became just the second mare to win the Champion Hurdle, yet amid scenes of joyous bedlam Charmian remained unmoved. She was already thinking ahead to Dawn Run’s date with destiny in the Gold Cup.

But Charmian had other fish to fry before that. After Dawn Run won the Aintree Hurdle by 15 lengths, she instructed Paddy to send her mare to France, where she won the Prix la Barka and Grand Course de Haies (French Champion Hurdle), each time with great ease under Tony.

Tony was supremely confident Dawn Run would win that day at Auteuil. So much so that he obliged a photographer from The Times, who told him that if he could jump the final flight in the middle of the obstacle (rather than either end), he would get a picture of Dawn Run jumping to victory with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

“I was winning so easily that I was able to do just as the photographer asked,” Mullins recalls. “That day was the best feel I ever got from Dawn Run.”

She closed that season having won eight of her nine starts.

Dawn Run returns to the winner’s enclosure to rapturous applause. (Image credit: Alamy)

Dawn Run: ‘Brilliant – but a bulldozer’

Dawn Run’s 1984–85 campaign, which saw her graduate to fences, was cut short after she sustained a tendon injury in winning on her chasing debut. It was a significant setback that detained her for 13 months, after which she resumed by winning the Durkan Brothers Chase in December 1985. And she showed she was back on the Gold Cup trail when she beat Buck House over 2½ miles at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Then the plot unravelled.

Dawn Run was sent to Cheltenham in January 1986 for a straightforward assignment ahead of the Gold Cup. She was sauntering along in the lead until she crashed into the fifth-last, unseating Tony into the bargain.

“That was just her,” Tony relates. “She was quite ignorant with her jumping. If she met a fence right, she was brilliant; if she met one wrong, she felt she could bulldoze it. She wouldn’t try to put herself right.”

Tony also spoke of seeing his Gold Cup dreams biting the dust in the act of falling off Dawn Run – and his nightmare duly materialised.

“I didn’t like it but after all these years, I’m just about getting over it,” he reflects.

Nevertheless, when Jonjo O’Neill schooled Dawn Run solo at Gowran Park seven weeks before the Gold Cup in 1986, he came away thinking the inexperienced mare should not even be lining up at Cheltenham, never mind as the favourite.

But it was a different story when he rode Dawn Run in another schooling session at Punchestown one week before the Gold Cup.

“That time Tony Mullins schooled alongside me on another horse and it made all the difference,” O’Neill recalls. “Tony was a big help to me. It allowed me to go to Cheltenham thinking I had a fighting chance.”

So, for the third time, Charmian stood Tony down in favour of Jonjo, who rode in the Gold Cup like a man possessed. He needed to, since Dawn Run was making only her fifth start over fences.

“I was worried down at the start because she was a moody so-and-so and I had to get away smartly,” Jomjo relates. “She might have sulked otherwise, but she jumped away and we met the first fence on a good stride.”

As with her Champion Hurdle victory, Dawn Run was harried from the off, this time by Run And Skip. And her task became all the more daunting when she clattered into the fifth-last fence, where she surrendered the advantage. Even though she was back on terms on the turn for home, her goose looked cooked when both Wayward Lad and Forgive ’n Forget swept past her on the run to the final fence. But Dawn Run was far from spent.

“I had ridden Wayward Lad before and never felt that he stayed more than three miles,” Jonjo recalls. “I could see that he was tiring on the run-in, so I kept riding away and sure enough, the mare came alive under me. She’d taken a breather and managed to force herself back in front in the nick of time.”

If Dawn Run’s Champion Hurdle triumph had triggered a communal outpouring of joy, this one saw the winner’s enclosure engulfed by what seemed like half of Ireland. In the deliriously happy chaos, Paddy slipped quietly away, unnoticed. His finest moment as a trainer was compromised by the absence of his son in the saddle.

Dawn Run en route to victory in the 1986 Cheltenham Gold Cup (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

It would be apposite to relate that Dawn Run, then an eight-year-old, had had another chance to win the Gold Cup for a second time the following year. Sadly, it never came to pass.

After Dawn Run had beaten Buck House, who’d just won the two-mile Champion Chase at Cheltenham, in a match race at Punchestown in April, Charmian was adamant she should return to France. Dawn Run would again take in the Prix la Barka as a stepping stone towards the Grand Course de Haies she’d won two years earlier.

Tony was back aboard for the Prix la Barka, after which he maintained Dawn Run would not avenge the beating she’d taken from Le Rheusois in the Grand Course itself. Agitated by what she perceived as Tony’s negativity, Charmian replaced him once more with French jockey Michel Chirol, in whose hands Dawn Run died when she fell heavily and broke her neck at the fifth-last flight.

Her demise hit the Mullins family hard.

“It was a massive shock,” says Tony.

“I went off for a walk on my own; I felt very angry. I felt Dawn Run should never have been there that day and in two seconds she was gone.

“She was only really maturing. She was a huge big mare, almost 17 hands, and only just coming into her prime. She was just superior at every level, all of her life.”

It says everything about Dawn Run that her death was reported on the front page of The Irish Times.

Dawn Run with her groom John Clarke and trainer Paddy Mullins’ wife Maureen. (Image credit: Independent News and Media/Getty Images)

Dawn Run’s origins

Bay mare, foaled 1978
By Deep Run out of Twilight Slave, by Arctic Slave
Owner: Charmian Hill
Trainer: Paddy Mullins
Breeder: Joe Riordan
Jockeys: Tony Mullins, Jonjo O’Neill, Ron Barry
Unlike many top-class National Hunt horses, Dawn Run boasted a fine jumping pedigree. She was by multiple champion National Hunt sire Deep Run out of the unraced Twilight Slave, whose five other winners over jumps included Even Dawn, himself the winner of 21 races over jumps. Furthermore, Dawn Run’s granddam, the point-to-point winner Early Light, was a full-sister to the Scottish National winner Brasher.

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Remaining Cheltenham Festival 2026 ticket options now that Gold Cup Day has sold out

georgia.guerin@futurenet.com (Georgia Guerin) — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:56:16 +0000

The “early bird” and “advanced sale” windows for 2026 Cheltenham Festival tickets have now closed, but you can still save money against the on-the-gate prices by booking online before you go (up until 23:59 the night before the raceday).

Tickets for Gold Cup Day (Friday, 13 March) have completely sold out, but there are still tickets available for the preceding days.

If you want to be at the Cheltenham Festival when “the greatest show on turf” gets underway next year, then don’t leave it a moment longer – get your Cheltenham Festival tickets now. Keep reading for more information about what’s on and the different enclosures, so that you can watch Cheltenham live with your own eyes.

When is Cheltenham Festival?

The 2026 Cheltenham Festival spans four days over 10–13 March.

Day 1 (Tuesday 10 March) is Champion Day, with the prestigious Unibet Champion Hurdle (a Grade One race over two miles) as the highlight.

Day 2 (Wednesday 11 March) is Ladies Day, where the style awards add extra excitement. Feature races include the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.

Day 3 (Thursday 12 March) is St Patrick’s Thursday, which is a celebration of all things Irish. Don’t miss two of the festival’s most anticipated events on this day – the Ryanair Chase and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.

Day 4 (Friday 13 March) is Gold Cup Day, which is a big day of top-class action for those looking for the ultimate Cheltenham experience, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, of course.

Ticket prices are the same for each enclosure for the first three days, and are slightly more expensive on the final day – although Gold Cup Day is now sold out.

Cheltenham Festival tickets

Best Mate Enclosure

Though you don’t have access to the Parade Ring or views of the preliminaries, the Best Mate Enclosure provides a decent view of proceedings from opposite the main grandstand. What’s more, on the Thursday and Friday, the New Course (where the racing taking place) is closer to the Best Mate Enclosure than to the Tattersalls or Club Enclosures.

Gate price from £70
General sale tickets from £54

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Tattersalls Enclosure

Marketed as the perfect middle ground, Tattersalls gives you a great view of the racing up the famous Cheltenham hill. Access is afforded to much of the grandstand, the parade and pre-parade ring as well as facilities such as the Guinness Village.

Gate price from £91
Advance sale tickets from £73.80

Club Enclosure

The best seat in the house without splashing the cash on hospitality, the Club Enclosure gets racing fans as close to the finishing post as possible. You have access to all the areas available to Tattersalls ticket holders, plus prime position in the main grandstand.

Gate price from £126
Advance sale tickets from £103.50

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Premium area tickets

All premium areas are now sold out for 2026.

Guinness Grandstand

The Guinness Village is opposite the last fence, so you get an excellent view with a reserved seat. It extends from the Tattersalls Enclosure, and has extra viewing steps, bars, bands and other entertainment.

This area is now sold out.

Racecourse View

Enjoy one of the best views in the racing world with a reserved seat in the Grandstand with view across the finish line.

This area is now sold out.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Cheltenham Festival Hospitality tickets

A range of hospitality packages are available direct from Cheltenham.

Specialist hospitality provider Seat Unique also offer various official hospitality packages if you’re looking for a premium way to experience The Festival.

Cheltenham Festival Annual Memberships

Those wishing to attend multiple days might want to consider an annual membership, which grants access 16 racedays at Cheltenham, including Cheltenham Festival.

Full membership: From £500
12–28 membership: From £290
Senior membership (65+): From £215
Garrison Savannah Business Club: From £600
Cheltenham and Southwest Racing Club: From £1,800
National Stud Bloodstock Club: From £1,700

Once you’ve got your tickets, check out hotels near Cheltenham Festival and how to get to Cheltenham racecourse.

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Get the inside scoop at one of the remaining 2026 Cheltenham Festival preview nights

georgia.guerin@futurenet.com (Georgia Guerin) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:22:25 +0000

We’ve rounded up the 2026 Cheltenham Festival preview nights to make sure you know which horses to keep a close eye on when the action gets underway at the Cheltenham Festival four-day National Hunt racing bonanza.

This list has been updated on Tuesday, 3 March to remove the preview nights that have passed and those that have closed their bookings. Many of the remaining previews have limited tickets available, so it’s best to book now if you can.

Cheltenham previews have a host and a panel of experts, including jockeys, trainers, pundits and other members of the media – all there to share tips, predictions, and insider knowledge of the runners, riders and more. They’re fun, insightful (whether you’re heading to Prestbury Park or watching Cheltenham on TV) and many raise money for charity, too.

Remaining Cheltenham Festival preview nights 2026

Tuesday 3 March

Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport

Time: 7.30pm

Price: £20 (includes light meal)

Confirmed panel: Luke Harvey, Christian Williams, Jack Tudor, Sean Bowen and Nick Scholfield

Tickets: eticketing.co.uk

Venue: The News Building, 1 London Bridge Street, London

Time: 7pm

Price: £5 (includes drink)

Confirmed panel: Matt Chapman, Rich Ricci, Davy Russell, Ben Pauling, Nick Luck and Steve Mullen

Tickets: thesun.co.uk

Venue: Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds

Time: 7.30pm

Price: £20 (includes a £5 bet from Sky Bet)

Confirmed panel:Ed Chamberlin, Oli Bell, Fran Berry, Daryl Jacob and Mark Howard

Tickets: tickets.yorkshireccc.com

Wednesday 4 March

Venue: Hexham Auction Mart, Hexham

Time: 7pm

Price: £12, proceeds to Injured Jockeys Fund and Racing Welfare

Confirmed panel: Andrew Thornton, Gordon Brown, Ryan Mania and Stephen Darbyshire

Tickets: hexham-racecourse.co.uk

Venue: The Holford Arms, Tetbury

Time: 6.45pm

Price: £25 (includes hog roast), proceeds to Racing Welfare, Leighterton School PTFA and local charities

Confirmed panel: Olly Murphy, Jamie Snowden and The Racing Life Podcast Team

Tickets: Call Naomi on 07702 720920

Thursday 5 March

Venue: The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse

Time: 7pm

Price: Members free, public £10

Confirmed panel: Sir AP McCoy, Barry Geraghty, Jane Mangan, Leonna Mayor and Gavin Cromwell

Tickets: thejockeyclub.co.uk

Venue: Mister Shenanigans, Coventry

Time: 7.45pm

Price: £10

Confirmed panel: Derek Thompson, Olly Murphy and Tom Ellis

Tickets: skiddle.com

Friday 6 March

Venue: Slaithwaite Cricket Club, Huddersfield

Time: 7.30pm

Price: £20 (includes drink on arrival)

Confirmed panel: Kate Tracey, Aidan Coleman, Henry Brooke

Tickets: ticketsource.co.uk

Venue: Baildon Cricket Club, Shipley

Time: 7.30pm

Price: £15 (includes drink on arrival)

Confirmed panel: Derek Thompson, David Carr and Tom Scudamore

Tickets: ticketsource.co.uk

Venue: The Owls At Standish, Standish

Time: 7.30pm

Price: £12.50

Confirmed panel: Stephen Darbyshire, Adam Smith and Lee Jones

Join waiting list: ticketsource.co.uk

Venue: Horwood House, Milton Keynes

Time: 6.30pm

Price: £90 (includes three-course meal and wine), proceeds to Ride High

Confirmed panel: Gina Andrews, Billy Aprahamian, Dave Orton, Stuart Edmunds and Charlie Hammond

Tickets: ridehigh.org

Venue: Clavell & Hind Brewery, Cheltenham

Time: 7pm

Price: £32 (includes burger, fries and first drink), proceeds to Racing Welfare

Confirmed panel: Olly Murphy, Jamie Snowden, Tom Drinkwater and Andrew Staines

Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk

Saturday 7 March

Venue: Ashton Under Lyne Golf Club, Manchester

Time: 7pm

Price: £15

Confirmed panel: Dan Barber, Martin Dixon, Graham Cunningham and John Parrott

Tickets: ticketsource.co.uk

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major events throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘This fellow is top shelf’: the Cheltenham Gold Cup runner with a serious chance, according to Grand National-winning trainer

Martha Terry — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:50:00 +0000

Jimmy Mangan may only have 10 horses in his yard in Co Cork, but his Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Spillane’s Tower is one of the best in the National Hunt game. Having already saddled a Grand National winner, Jimmy is bidding to add jump racing’s most prestigious prize to his CV at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

It’s been 23 years since Jimmy celebrated victory at Aintree with Monty’s Pass, but eight-year-old Spillane’s Tower could be the horse to thrust him back into the limelight.

“In the village I come from the signs are still up ‘Home of Monty’s Pass’, so hopefully they can put another one up!” said Jimmy, 70.

Spillane’s Tower beat two potential Boodles Gold Cup rivals in the Betfair Cotswold Chase over the same distance on Cheltenham Trials day.

“He’s a lovely, placid horse, who comes alive when he goes racing,” Jimmy says. “When he came into the [parade] ring at Cheltenham, you could see he was ready for it. We had to put him in a stable as he was really on his toes, getting giddy and wanting to get on with the job. That’s a good sign with him.”

The Walk In The Park son was bred by Noreen McManus and is certainly fulfilling his early promise.

“The McManuses said they were sending me the most beautiful horse to train and when he came off the lorry that day I said, ‘I hope there’s an engine inside that horse, because he had all the physique, size, strength and boldness – he was a real athlete.

“Thankfully there was an engine to drive that body. He performed very well over hurdles and I said, ‘If this horse can jump a fence we’ll have a great time’.”

He promptly won two Grade Ones as a novice.

“I knew then we had a good one,” Jimmy chuckles. “You can’t compare him to Monty’s Pass, who was a handicapper. This one is all class, he has the gears. This fellow is top shelf.”

Spillane’s Tower (left) heads for victory at Cheltenham earlier this year. (Image credit: JTW Equine Images / Alamy Live News)

Spillane’s Tower’s build-up for the Gold Cup

Not only is he a performer, he’s also a “very easy horse to deal with”. His routine includes plenty of turnout and variety.

“He loves rolling in his paddock every day,” Jimmy says. “If it’s wet, he has an all-weather sheet and we’ll still get him out. He eats better if he goes out, and he’ll roll in the mud and have a pick of grass. He’ll kick the door to get out, but then he loves to come in in the evening, I think he suits being where he’s trained.

“He goes out in the centre of the circle gallop and we work the other horses round him and he won’t even lift his head. He’ll just pick at the grass and say, ‘I’ve done my work this morning’.

Jimmy works him both on a circular gallop and up a hill.

“If you’d run up that hill yourself, you’d know about it!” says Jimmy. “We have a lot of nice gallops that we use. I think variety is nice – not to be confined to the same gallop all the time.”

As for the race itself, Jimmy says “you need luck”, but he isn’t the type to stress about it.

“I’m cool enough, I’ve been at it all my life,” he says. “This horse has a ‘pull out’ which is vital from the last fence home. If luck has gone his way during the race, he should have a bit up his sleeve and won’t be far away at the finishing line.

“If I go for the big race, I fancy my own horse and that’s it. They all have chances, but I’m not running for the sake of it.”

Jimmy Mangan’s lucky local hat

One extra bit luck comes in the form of Jimmy’s trademark purple and yellow beanie – both his family racing colours and those of his local hurling team, St Catherine’s GAA in Conna.

Jimmy Mangan wearing his famous purple and yellow beanie. (Image credit: Alamy)

“A long time ago, my father had a few point-to-pointers and he had no racing colours,” Jimmy explains. “He asked the local hurling team would they give him the loan of a jersey, and they did. He kept the jersey and registered with the Turf Club so they’re our racing colours and also our local hurling team.

“Any time I do a Cheltenham preview night for charity, they give me a hat in my colours! It will definitely be coming to Cheltenham.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from Cheltenham Festival, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Meet Willie Mullins’ key Cheltenham Festival 2026 contenders: ‘This horse still has the ability to win the Gold Cup’

Martha Terry — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:05:22 +0000

The 19-time Irish champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins is set to bring a strong hand of Cheltenham Festival runners to Prestbury Park for the 2026 meeting (10–13 March).

Willie Mullins, who is also the reigning UK champion trainer, is the most successful in the history of the Cheltenham Festival with a record 113 winners to his credit since landing the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 1995 with Tourist Attraction. He has been leading trainer there 12 times.

Willie tallied 10 trophies at Prestbury Park last year – his equal best season with 2022. His Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File spearheaded his string, while his dual Boodles Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs fought valiantly for a hat-trick but was denied by Inothewayurthinking.

Several of the stables’ winners from last year have entries this time, including Kopek Des Bordes, Lossiemouth, Lecky Watson, Fact To File, Poniros and Kargese.

So how does Willie Mullins rate his key runners at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival? This is what he had to say about just some of his potential contenders when he attended a press briefing in his local town, Bagenalstown, at an event organised by The Jockey Club.

Despite being long odds-on to regain his leading trainer title, he played down expectations.

“I’m always fascinated when people say to me, ‘how many this year, Willie?’” he said. “People expect us to have six, seven, eight or 10 winners. We go there hoping for one, and if we get one on the first day, then hopefully we might get two or three but we don’t go over expecting winners.

“So I don’t expect, I hope for winners and hopefully the right ones will win. It’s always nicer to get bigger winners than 10 ordinary winners. To get a Gold Cup or a Champion Hurdle puts a whole different aspect on the week.”

As for his form going into the Festival, Willie hopes his string will peak when it matters.

“I’m happy enough. I’ve been further forward in other years,” he admitted. “A few of the horses just haven’t sparked, but I think I’ll have them right by the time we get to Cheltenham.”

Willie Mullins’ key Cheltenham Festival runners

Fact To File: ‘He can run in any race!’

JP McManus’s nine-year-old Poliglote gelding holds the Ryanair crown. He is currently entered to defend that 2½-mile title, but the trainer hasn’t ruled out running him in the Gold Cup over 3m 2f – which will require supplementing at a cost of £25,000.

This was on the strength of beating his stablemates Gaelic Warrior and Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup (over 3m 1/2f) at Leopardstown on his latest outing.

“If you go back to November, Fact To File was the Irish banker for the Ryanair and there was no doubt about it,” said Willie. “And then he comes out and did what he did the other day, and you’ve got to remember it’s not like JP is an ordinary owner.

“JP has so many horses, Spillane’s Tower for one, that he can run in the Gold Cup with a live chance and still keep Fact To File in the Ryanair. He’s seen the ups and downs, ins and outs of it so I’m going to respect whatever he says to me.”

The decision is likely to be taken late, depending on which other horses commit to running. But in terms of prep, Willie has no concerns whether he’s running over two miles or three.

“I’ll just get him ready for Cheltenham and if you’d want to supplement him for the Champion Chase I’d say he can run in that too! But I’ll train him the same.”

Fact To File wins the Ryanair Chase at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. Which race will he go for this season? (Image credit: Alamy)

Gaelic Warrior: ‘He always runs well at Cheltenham’

The 2024 Arkle winner is Willie’s son Patrick Mullins’ pick for the Gold Cup despite being defeated by Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup. Susanna Ricci’s eight-year-old by Maxios is a remarkably consistent horse at the highest level in staying chases, and was a narrow third in the King George thriller on Boxing Day.

Gaelic Warrior – described by Patrick as “a tank; he’s pure strength” – holds entries in both the Ryanair and the Gold Cup.

“Gaelic Warrior’s in good form; he had a hard race at Christmas and he had a hard race the other day,” said Willie. “He ran fantastic in both races and he’s a horse that does run well at Cheltenham all the time.

“I thought Gaelic Warrior’s run the other day in Leopardstown was ideal for the Ryanair, myself. I just thought the way he ran his race and I wouldn’t have any problem going back there. I thought that was a hell of a run. Patrick was delighted getting off him – he gave him a terrific feel the other day.”

Gaelic Warrior’s four-year-old full brother Our Trigger could take his chance in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Galopin Des Champs: ‘He still has the ability but he’ll need a lot of luck’

Willie’s stable jockey Paul Townend has been aboard Audrey Turley’s son of Timos for both his Gold Cup wins. The 10-year-old has finished third on both his starts this season. Although the horse is in the twilight of his scintillating career, Paul admitted the prospect of riding a rival contender would be “very hard”.

“I don’t think Galopin is finished yet, and I’d love it for the horse to win,” he said. “I’m not saying I would get off him, but if I did and he went by me up the hill, I’d be keeping a wide berth of me for the whole week!”

A hard race at Christmas took more out of the horse than Willie would have liked, but the horse is coming back into form. He would suit softer ground, and may run with cheekpieces.

“He’s in good order and I think he’s still at an age were he’s competitive,” Willie said. “He still has the ability but he’ll need a lot of luck.”

Willie added that Galopin is “lovely individual”.

“He loves people, and when we were out [in the town on his victory parade] we thought we’d just be half an hour but people wanted their photograph with him and he stood there with kids. One kid came over in a wheelchair and he just put his head in his lap – it was extraordinary.”

Galopin Des Champs: can he regain the winning thread? (Image credit: Alamy)

Majborough: the wide-margin winner who ‘has come right’

JP McManus’s Champion Chase contender put in an impressive jumping performance to beat the reigning champ Marine Nationale by 19 lengths in a Leopardstown bog last time. The six-year-old won the Triumph Hurdle at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, and is favourite for the 2m showpiece this year.

The Martinborough-sired gelding is one to watch if the going is soft.

“I’m always happy enough with his jumping – he might have had one or two schools but very little,” said Willie. “It’s more or less about getting him right – and he’s come right.”

The Champion Hurdle quest

While his 2024 Champion Hurdle winner State Man is sidelined for the season, Willie has nonetheless five horses entered for the 2m hurdling crown, though not all are certain to run. However he’s not boasting about his chances despite the open field.

“Poniros will definitely run because there’s nowhere else to run him,” he said. “Hopefully he’ll have a first-five finish – I think that’s probably the best we can achieve.

“Anzadam – I’ve tried a couple of things and I’ve one or two more things to try that might make him more competitive. We’re a little disappointed as the year has worked out, but I haven’t given up hope on him just yet.”

“Lossiemouth was disappointing the other day, but it’s a very open Champion Hurdle and I’ll have a good word with [owner] Rich Ricci and see what he thinks. A lot will depend on how the mare is in herself. The form she was in the other day I don’t think would cut the mustard and she might be better off going for the Mares’ Hurdle but we shall see.”

However, if Willie does opt for the Mares’ with Lossiemouth, she is likely to face a serious challenge in Gordon Elliott’s Wodhooh, an improving six-year-old who won at the Festival last year and has won both her Group races this campaign. Arguably the Champion Hurdle could hold more appeal.

3 unexposed runners that could deliver for Willie Mullins at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival

Kopek Des Bordes: ‘The further and faster he jumped, the better’

The six-year-old, owned by Monabeg Investments, hit the headlines after a fabulous workout, and is due to line up in the Arkle. However, he has only had one run over fences – winning a beginners’ chase impressively at Navan by 13 lengths. He’s also been picked out by racing journalist Carl Evans in our round up of Cheltenham day 1 tips.

“You have to ask the question – how many horses have gone to the Arkle with just one run before?” Willie said. “We are up against it experience-wise, but it’s well known how well he worked recently when he and other horses when two miles over fences at racing speed.

“The further and faster he jumped, the better he jumped.”

Kopek Des Bordes heads for the Arkle on the back of one chasing run. (Image credit: Alamy)

Mighty Park: ‘He has to be a hell of a horse’

JP McManus’ five-year-old son of Walk In The Park is entered in the Supreme Novices’ and Turners Novices’ Hurdles.

He has had only one run over hurdles, where he trounced the 16-strong field by 38 lengths at Fairyhouse.

“When Mark Walsh got off him after he won at Fairyhouse, he said he looked at the big screen at the second last and couldn’t believe how far he was in front, having gone what he thought was a normal slow pace,” said Willie.

“Mark said his cruising speed must be huge and he’s a fantastic jumper. I think he must be right in the mix for the Supreme. He has to be a hell of a horse to do what he did and has huge natural ability.

“Winning by 38 lengths like he did the other day puts you into Faugheen-type territory. From day one I thought he was good enough to win a Champion Bumper with what he was showing me at home.”

Love Sign D’Aunou: ‘He didn’t beat them, he hammered them’

Susanna Ricci’s five-year-old son of Goliath Du Berlais is another Bumper contender. He has won his only start by 10 lengths.

“That win at Naas was a huge performance,” said Willie. “I always love horses that can win at Christmas time or this time of year by 10 lengths.

“He hammered them. He didn’t beat them, he hammered them, and what I loved about it was that he never really showed me that at home. I have so many morning glories where you think they’re fantastic at home and you bring them to the racetrack and they let you down.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news in the run up to the Cheltenham Festival, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘I think he could win the Gold Cup’: 17-time champion amateur jockey’s selection for Cheltenham’s blue riband

Martha Terry — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:10:19 +0000

Champion trainer Willie Mullins has entered nine horses for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026, and his son and assistant trainer Patrick Mullins highlights Gaelic Warrior as his pick of the bunch.

“I’d love to ride Gaelic Warrior, I think he’d win the Gold Cup,” says amateur rider Patrick, who won the Grand National last year with Nick Rockett. “I’ve ridden a lot of horses in my life, the feeling he gives is pure strength, and it’s that strength that makes me think he could win.

“It’s a cliché but he’d run through a brick wall – he’s like a tank.”

“Like a tank”: Gaelic Warrior’s greatest asset is his bottomless strength. (Image credit: Alamy)

Patrick rides Gaelic Warrior at home and describes him as “always leaning on you, always wants to be in conversation”.

“He can hang and run a bit keen at times, he’s complicated, but while some horses would annoy you, he doesn’t annoy me because you can have a conversation with him,” he says.

“Our gallop is bottomless and he just goes through it so easily. After every race he’s fresh – nothing knocks him or fazes him.”

Thankfully, he never throws his weight around in the stable – though it takes two people to lead him up at the races.

“He’s a funny horse, if he was a human he wouldn’t know how strong he is,” Patrick adds. “He has a bit of wild eye and he’s a bit turned in – he’s not an oil painting, but he does the job.

“He looks big – he’s 16.3hh – but in the stable he’s quite relaxed. But he has this persona in his races of being very difficult to ride and he is. He was born with this energy. You need to know him, that’s all.”

Why Gaelic Warrior could win at Cheltenham 2026

The eight-year-old has a superb record, only finishing out of the first three once (sixth) in 20 completed races. He racked up three in a row last season, and won the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival by 8½ lengths two years ago.

Cheltenham form: Gaelic Warrior wins the Arkle Chase at the Festival in 2024. (Image credit: Alamy)

Gaelic Warrior finished a tight third in the Boxing Day King George thriller, before last time out finishing second to stablemate Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.

“I thought he’d win there too,” admits Patrick, before pointing out that the horse’s form outside of Leopardstown is considerably better than his form at Leopardstown. “In technical terms, in Cheltenham and Aintree and Kempton, where he ran well, there’s a constant inside running rail, and the field races quite tight, so you can park him in on horses’ tails and he relaxes, when he can’t see any daylight.

“At Leopardstown, there’s no inch of running rail, so the field is always spreading out and there’s daylight. Whenever he sees daylight he says I wanna go faster! He is strong, and when he wants to go there’s not much I can do about it. But if you know him well enough, you can distract him – you can’t force him to slow down.”

Of course, with Willie Mullins having some 87 entries across the board, several in multiple races and numerous key contenders, all this conjecturing could be academic. Gaelic Warrior is currently vying for favouritism for the Ryanair Chase with Fact To File – who may yet himself be supplemented at a cost of £25,000 for the Gold Cup, for which the latter is favourite despite the lack of entry. Gaelic Warrior is entered in both – and it’s Willie’s decision which of his jockeys rides which horse.

But Patrick has laid down his cards as the horse he is keen to ride in the big one as he bids to add the Gold Cup to a CV that is impressive by any standards, let alone as an amateur rider.

He adds: “If I could choose one, the Grand National would be the one and always was because of the history – but Sam Waley-Cohen won both so let’s try to match him!”

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