15.30
SoftBoodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £351687.5
- 3m 2f 70y
- Class 1
- 13 runners
Runners: 13 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
2/1 (Won)
- Win: £2.40
- Place: £1.80
Form: 1F1-11 C
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 173
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 6 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Deprived of a third Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph by Inothewayurthinkin following a thoroughly satisfactory preparation in the shape of two C&D wins, following the same pattern as the previous seasons, taking in the Savills and this race, which he won for the third time last year; got tired on his reappearance in the Savills this time; should be spot-on now. |
13/8 |
|
1st 2 |
30th Apr 2025 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
made all, clear 3 out, went further clear after 2 out, kept on well, impressive |
5/4 |
7/1
- Place: £2.40
Form: 114-11
Last run: 81 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 172
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15th 13 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Won the 2022 King George and second in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup (he's unraced beyond that 3m2f); a run of seconds late in 2023 was creditable but more substantial doubts have now set in and various equipment has been tried; to look on the bright side, he makes his first foray outside Grade 1 or 2 for over three years and his handicap mark has plummeted. |
40/1 |
|
15th 13 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Won the 2022 King George and second in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup (he's unraced beyond that 3m2f); a run of seconds late in 2023 was creditable but more substantial doubts have now set in and various equipment has been tried; to look on the bright side, he makes his first foray outside Grade 1 or 2 for over three years and his handicap mark has plummeted. |
40/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 7f 86y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
prominent, disputed lead from 5th |
5/2 |
14/1
- Place: £4.60
Form: 1F2-31
Last run: 79 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 168
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 16 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
10st 8lb |
Finished third in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup; showed some spark around Punchestown's banks course this February but this 12yo is nothing like the force of old and was well beaten in the cross-country race at Cheltenham last month; without a win since December 2022 and looks up against it. |
66/1 |
|
9th 5 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 5f 56y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Top class over regulation fences in his prime (dual 3m Grade 1 winner) but has regressed and become inconsistent; gave a pretty good account when placed behind Vanillier on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy; refitted cheekpieces/first-time tongue-tie) last month but was well beaten on his only C&D start (in 2024); younger rivals appeal much more. |
25/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
4th Feb 2026 Heavy 3m 0f 193y |
11st 4lb |
High-class in his day, winning a brace of Grade 1 Leopardstown contests at 3m; not at that level nowadays, including fourth in C&D cross-country chase at last year's festival; runner-up on latest two runs in point-to-points, most recently at Tyrella 11 days ago; new headgear combination; Jack Kennedy prefers The Goffer. |
7/2 |
10/1
Form: 1-P113
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 167
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
28th Dec 2024 Good To Yielding 2m 7f 80y |
11st 10lb |
midfield early, pressed leaders after 4th, lost position and dropped to rear when pushed along briefly after 6th, dropped to last and pushed along after 7th, reminders and struggling after 8th |
13/2 |
|
6 |
28th Dec 2024 Good To Yielding 2m 7f 80y |
11st 10lb |
midfield early, pressed leaders after 4th, lost position and dropped to rear when pushed along briefly after 6th, dropped to last and pushed along after 7th, reminders and struggling after 8th |
13/2 |
|
19th 1 |
13th Apr 2024 Heavy 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 12lb |
2022 Grand National winner and fourth in it (again on good to soft) last year when he was hard work from out the back and never got near the leaders; hurdling on last three starts, winning a Grade 2 but coming up well short when the cheekpieces (which had served him well hitherto) were restored at Cheltenham one month ago; just 1lb lower than last year but his strength of stamina will presumably be well served by a slog in the mud. |
20/1 |
18/1
Form: 134-14 C BF
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 170
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
11yo whose last Grade 1 win came in March 2024 but he showed strong form when keeping on for second of four to Jonbon in the Melling Chase here (2m4f, good) 12 months ago and has won at Windsor (2m6f, soft; warm conditions race) and Kelso (extended 2m7f, good to soft; Listed) on his two runs this year; he should still be fine at this sort of trip and could be a contender. |
15/2 |
|
1st 3 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 96y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Tremendous campaigner who has netted connections over £1m in prize-money; jumped right on occasions but was still firmly on top at finish in valuable conditions chase at Windsor (2m6f, soft) six weeks ago; usually races up with the pace; the clear pick on form and very much the one to beat. |
1/8 |
|
1st 6 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 6f 50y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Bolted up in this race last year (soft); reappeared with very creditable third off a lofty mark in handicap at Cheltenham (3m3f, soft) in November; wind surgery since; this 11yo holds stand-out claims on today's terms. |
8/11 |
50/1
Form: 1255-2 D
Last run: 81 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 163
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 125y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Five-time course winner including this race in 2021 and 2022 and the Betfair Chase in 2023 and 2024; reappeared with fine second in that Grade 1 here 56 days ago (good to soft); struggled last season after his reappearance win but this 12yo could have a big say if backing up his latest effort. |
13/2 |
|
2 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 9lb |
All wins on soft or heavy; he's been a class act at Haydock but did not show it in two visits there this year, including on his second attempt at a marathon trip, and his sixth in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup was a remote one; some conspicuous negatives. |
80/1 |
|
2 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 9lb |
All wins on soft or heavy; he's been a class act at Haydock but did not show it in two visits there this year, including on his second attempt at a marathon trip, and his sixth in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup was a remote one; some conspicuous negatives. |
80/1 |
150/1
Form: 7-2245 C
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 161
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
12yo who staged a renaissance when winning a veterans' chase at Cheltenham in November and has continued in pretty good heart; however, it's likely he'll be vulnerable today; soundly beaten in this race 12 months ago. |
66/1 |
|
4th 4 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 214y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
Form over shorter this term features a reappearance success in veterans' race at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft; beat Mister Coffey); record at Newbury includes a success in 2m7f Grade 2 in 2022 and respectable effort in major 3m2f handicap in 2023; solid claims. |
9/2 |
|
4th 4 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 6f 50y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Three-time Grade 2 chase winner who snapped long losing sequence to land veterans' handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in November; ran okay when third next time; however, this 12yo looks vulnerable in today's company. |
50/1 |
20/1
Form: 1-5351 C
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 166
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 1 |
1st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Very much the class act in this field but he's become hugely frustrating as a chaser and tailed off (after making the running) when he reverted to hurdles in a Grade 2 at Newbury on latest outing; thrown in if he can even remotely get his act together. |
14/1 |
|
1 |
26th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 12lb |
10yo who was underwhelming in the main last season and soundly beaten in the Grade 1 Bowl here in April, having finished runner-up in the previous two runnings of that 3m contest; a longer trip than this would probably be preferable but he's 7lb lower than when a close third in this last year and is well worth a second look in view of his record at this track. |
13/2 |
|
5th 1 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Comes with some risk having failed to complete in his last three starts (had wind surgery prior to latest); however, comes alive at Aintree and has performed well in this race for the last two years, taking form figures at this meeting to 1122 (gained the wins in Grade 1 novice events over hurdles/fences); big player provided that pattern is sustained. |
6/1 |
9/2
Form: /121-P CD BF
Last run: 118 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 180
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
28th Dec 2023 Yielding 3m 0f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Beaten a short head by Galvin in this race two seasons ago as a prelude to 15l victory from stablemate Minella Indo in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup; ran only three times last season, pulled up in the Betfair Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup; found nothing at Aintree on final start; begins new campaign with questions to answer. |
14/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
13th Apr 2023 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Has a question to answer having been pulled up in both outings this term, although had no luck (badly hampered after six out, unable to recover) in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on latest; highly impressive in that race and the Betfair Chase last season, both on good to soft; would have the best chance if surging back to that form. |
5/2 |
|
2 |
17th Mar 2023 Soft 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Two brilliant wins at this meeting, notably surpassing a second in this race in 2021 when tearing up the hill last March (good to soft; acts well on soft) for one of the best Gold Cup performances in recent times; seen only once since, when returning a sick horse from his first-ever off day at Haydock in November, and although recent reports are encouraging it would be pretty special if he can produce the same performance as 12 months ago after such a poor preparation. |
9/2 |
50/1
Form: 1-21U1
Last run: 153 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 170
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 1 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
12st 0lb |
Has been a fantastic standard-bearer for his yard, winning 12 races between hurdles and fences including the King George in 2023; hasn't been at that level in the last year but ran respectably in the Stayers' Hurdle; has to bounce back from a poor Aintree run. |
20/1 |
|
3 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Career highlight when winning the King George over fences at Kempton in December 2023; won two conditions hurdles last year; gave it a very good go from the front when seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month following wind surgery but this 11yo is probably vulnerable once more. |
22/1 |
|
7th 5 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Career highlight when winning the 2023 King George and he was running well when falling two out in the Gold Cup here that year; won two conditions hurdles last year; soundly beaten behind Impose Toi in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) in November last time and, although he's had a wind op and better ground may aid his cause, this 11yo looks up against it. |
33/1 |
18/1
Form: P22-P1 CD
Last run: 75 days
W: 11st 10lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 168
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 6 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, second in it in 2022 and third in last year's Grand National; what a staying star he's been and the first of his two runs this season was creditable (latest was over hurdles) but, off just 1lb lower than 12 months ago, this veteran could again be on the premises without winning. |
22/1 |
|
9th 6 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, second in it in 2022 and third in last year's Grand National; what a staying star he's been and the first of his two runs this season was creditable (latest was over hurdles) but, off just 1lb lower than 12 months ago, this veteran could again be on the premises without winning. |
22/1 |
|
6th 5 |
9th Feb 2025 Soft To Heavy 2m 5f 180y |
11st 3lb |
in touch with leaders, outpaced and dropped to rear after 2 out |
4/1 |
40/1
Form: 2-1422 D
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 161
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Has shown his best form over fences, notwithstanding a Listed win in this sphere; well behind Gwennie May Boy at Haydock on sole start this season and is bottom of this pack on hurdles figures; enough to prove. |
100/1 |
|
9 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Has shown his best form over fences, notwithstanding a Listed win in this sphere; well behind Gwennie May Boy at Haydock on sole start this season and is bottom of this pack on hurdles figures; enough to prove. |
100/1 |
|
5 |
15th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 58y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Merely fifth of six in this last year when back from an absence and this 10yo returns from some more time off today; however, he was a Grade 2 chase winner in January 2023 and he won a Listed novice hurdle at Perth (3m, soft) last April; in the mix if bringing his best chase form to the table. |
10/1 |
14/1
Form: 111-22 C
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 163
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Won the 3m6f National Hunt Chase at this meeting four years ago when in the care of Willie Mullins, for whom he signed off when pulled up in the 2024 Grand National; remains in the same ownership; long absence before competitive shows in hunter chases at Hereford and Fakenham; cheekpieces added; all ground comes alike to him; could be running on when others have cried enough. |
12/1 |
|
1st 4 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 3m 0f 38y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Classy customer when with Willie Mullins, winning the 2022 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham; looked sure to win after an absence at Hereford (2m5f, soft) only to be reeled in at the death; probably the one to beat. |
8/13 |
|
2nd 6 |
26th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 194y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
2022 National Hunt Chase winner, with several decent efforts in Grade 1s and 2s since, but he's been absent since pulling up in the 2024 Grand National on final start for Willie Mullins; off for 653 days but the one to beat if retaining much of his ability on hunter chase and stable debut. |
4/6 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £12.50 |
| Straight Forecast | £8.83 |
| Tricast | £127.26 |
| Trifecta | £157.80 |
Selections
RP Ratings:
A Plus TardSPOTLIGHT:
Galopin Des ChampsPOSTDATA:
BravemansgameTelegraph:
Noble YeatsDaily Record:
Ahoy SenorThe Times:
Galopin Des ChampsDaily Mail:
Galopin Des ChampsWEST COUNTRY:
BravemansgameThe Star:
A Plus TardDaily Mirror:
Noble Yeats