Gaelic Warrior’s Gold Cup victory sets up on the path to glory and greatness
What is it that makes a champion? Is it enough to simply win or could their be more nuance to those on whom we bequeath the title?
There have been many winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup but fewer champions. The race was first run in 1924 and, excepting a few occasions, has been run every year since.
The horses which history remembers as champions have triumphed in this race multiple times – Golden Miller, Arkle, Best Mate for example. Eight horses have won the race in consecutive years with Al Boum Photo (2019 and 2020) and Galopin Des Champs (2023 and 2024) the most recent achievers. In the 2000s Kauto Star become the only horse to regain the title, having first won it in 2007 before triumphing again in 2009.
Read more
Chris Wilson13 March 2026 16:56
Here are the results from day two:
Wednesday 11 March – Ladies Day
1.20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
1. King Rasko Grey 11/1; 2. Act Of Innocence 10/1; 3. Zeus Power 50/1
2.00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
1. Kitzbuhel 11/1; 2. Final Demand 7/2; 3. Salver 25/1
2.40: BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)
1. Jingko Blue 9/2F; 2. Franciscan Rock 50/1; 3. Storm Heart 5/1; 4. Ballyadam 40/1
3.20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase
1. Final Orders 7/1; 2. Favori De Champdou 2/1F; 3. Vanillier 13/2
4.00: BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
1. Il Etait Temps 5/2 ; 2. Libberty Hunter 50/1; 3. L’eau Du Sud 13/2
4.40: Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Premier Handicap)
1. Martator 66/1; 2. Jazzy Matty 8/1; 3. Break My Soul 20/1; 4. Release The Beast 10/1
5.20: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (In Memory of Sir Johnny Weatherby) (Grade 1)
1. The Mourne Rambler 15/2; 2. Mets Ta Ceinture 14/1; 3. Bass Hunter 8/1
Chris Wilson13 March 2026 18:50
Kargese springs Arkle surprise on opening day of Cheltenham Festival
The report from some of the action on day one, which was not a good day for favourites…
Kargese delivered a notable upset at Cheltenham, leading from start to finish to claim victory in the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase.
Sent off at 7-1, the mare defied expectations, with much of the pre-race attention focused on her stablemate Kopek Des Bordes, trained by Willie Mullins, and Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba.
Under a perfectly executed front-running ride from Danny Mullins, Kargese maintained her strong pace into the final turn.
Chris Wilson13 March 2026 18:42
With the Festival now coming to a close, we’ll take a look back at some of the winners and results.
Tuesday 10 March – Champion Day results
1.20: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
1. Old Park Star 15/8F; 2. Sober Glory 9/2 3. Mydaddypaddy 6/1
2.00: Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
1. Kargese 7/1; 2. Kopek Des Bordes 11/8; 3. Lulamba 11/10F
2.40: McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Registered as the Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap)
1. Saratoga 10/1; 2. Winston Junior 5/1; 3. Klycot 40/1
3.20: Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
1. Johnnywho 18/1; 2. Jagwar 3/1; 3. Quebecois 10/1
4.00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
1. Lossiemouth 7/5F; 2. Brighterdaysahead 7/2; 3. The New Lion 3/1
4.40: Sun Racing Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap)
1. Madara 3/1F; 2. Will The Wise 10/1; 3. Moon D”orange 25/1
5.20: National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase) (Class 2)
1. Holloway Queen 12/1; 2. King Of Answers 22/1; 3. One Big Bang 11/1
Chris Wilson13 March 2026 18:38
Townend reacts to Gold Cup win
“Look, everything went right for me. I couldn’t have written it to go any better,” said Paul Townend after winning his fifth Gold Cup.
“It was a case of not falling off him for the last three fences. I was happy enough that he had not boiled over.
“Once I got on the track, he settled a bit. When I got away from all this, he was fine at the start when we lined up and nothing was in front of me.
“I was worried he was going to charge. I was able to retrain him enough.”
Chris Wilson13 March 2026 18:32
The Grand National is the next of the big UK horse racing festivals, with the eponymous race probably the biggest in the UK calendar (and perhaps even the world).
The meet takes place between 9 April and 11 April this year, with thousands set to descend on Aintree once again.
After that, racing fans can look forward to Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby as spring turns to summer.
(Getty Images)
Chris Wilson13 March 2026 18:26
Harry Redknapp upbeat despite Gold Cup disappointment with The Jukebox Man
Harry Redknapp says there were no excues after his horse The Jukebox Man fell away in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and that winning the race would have been like winning the Champions League.
Redknapp’s lifelong love of horseracing reached its zenith on a sunny afternoon at Prestbury Park as he, along with wife Sandra and son Jamie, cheered on the eight-year-old who was well placed heading to home.
The Jukebox Man then ran out of steam having kept up with the leader, Haiti Couleurs, before being passed by eventual winner Gaelic Warrior with two fences to jump.
Chris Wilson13 March 2026 18:21
Gold Cup in pictures
(Action Images via Reuters)
(Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
(Action Images via Reuters)
Chris Wilson13 March 2026 18:15
Here is the full list of today’s results:
Friday 13 March – Gold Cup Day
1.20: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
Result: 1. Apolon De Charnie 50/1; 2. Maestro Conti 5/1; 3. Minella Study 7/1
2.00: William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
Result: 1. Wilful 14/1; 2. Sticktotheplan 25/1; 3. Joyeuse 12/1; 4. Cracking Rhapsody 50/1
2.40: Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase (Grade 2)
Result: 1. Dinoblue 11/8F; 2. Only By Night 11/1; 3. Panic Attack 11/4
3.20: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Result: 1. Johnny’s Jury 20/1; 2. Fruit De Mer 28/1; 3. The Passing Wife 11/1
4.00: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
Result: 1. Gaelic Warrior 11/4J; 2. Jango Baie 11/4J; 3. Inothewayurthinkin 11/1
4.40: Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase
Result: 1. Barton Snow 9/2; 2. Its On The Line 7/2; 3. Music Drive 33/1
5.20: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
Result: 1. Air of Entitlement 10/1; 2. Hot Fuss 25/1; 3. Jump Allen 8/1; 4. Kel Histoire 9/2
Chris Wilson13 March 2026 18:10
Envoi Allen ‘a really special horse’
Henry de Bromhead’s travelling head girl Zoe Jane Smalley spoke to Racing TV about the death of Envoi Allen:
“Devastating. Lynne [Persson], who looks after him, is absolutely devastated. The lads are home, Davy Roche [Head man at De Bromhead’s training yard], all the team at home – you never want to see it happen to a horse.
“He was a really special horse. He was amazing. I’m just pleased that it was quick, painless in a place that he loved.”
Chris Wilson13 March 2026 18:04