15.30
SoftBoodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £351687.5
- 3m 2f 70y
- Class 1
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Evs (Won)
- Win: £1.91
- Place: £1.20
Form: 12-311 CD
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 179
| 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 |
8/1
- Place: £2.10
Form: 121-12
Last run: 78 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Five Grade 1 wins and runner-up in the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup; reappearance at Christmas came after 421 days off and this season's form is well short of his best, but second to Grangeclare West at Fairyhouse was a big step back in the right direction and he comfortably obliged at odds-on for latest outing; cheekpieces last three starts; well handicapped on his old form and could be on his way back. |
25/1 |
|
1st 3 |
17th Mar 2026 Yielding 3m 2f 50y |
11st 0lb |
Five Grade 1 wins; runner-up to Galopin Des Champs in the 2024 Gold Cup; defeated at odds-on here in November 2024; absent until pulled up early in the Savills at Christmas; respectable third at Gowran in the Galmoy Hurdle (heavy) in first-time cheekpieces; good effort behind Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo; gets 7lb from Nick Rockett, race-fitness in his favour |
11/10 |
|
2nd 6 |
21st Feb 2026 Heavy 3m 2f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Five-time Grade 1 winner was a runner-up behind Galopin Des Champs in the 2024 Gold Cup; defeated at odds-on at Down Royal in November 2024 and didn't reappear for 421 days when pulled up early in the Savills over Christmas; more promise in his third at Gowran in the Galmoy Hurdle (heavy) in first-time cheekpieces, although 18l behind; back over fences now and this is a key test to see if the ability is still there. |
14/1 |
12/1
- Place: £3.30
Form: 411-53 C
Last run: 111 days
W: 11st 10lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 159
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
1st May 2024 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
didn't always jump with fluency, held up in last, detached when pecked on landing and pushed along briefly 12th, reminders after 5 out |
9/1 |
|
4 |
1st May 2024 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
didn't always jump with fluency, held up in last, detached when pecked on landing and pushed along briefly 12th, reminders after 5 out |
9/1 |
|
7 |
13th Apr 2024 Heavy 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Sole run on heavy was a win on rules debut; tasted success at two Cheltenham Festivals, coming from well off the pace, before the even sweeter prize of this race last year when he was never far away and had zero alarms before some idling in front after grabbing total control at the final fence (much earlier than usual); last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup (soft) seemed to show the ceiling of his ability, when it looked exceedingly hard work for him from the final fence, but that was while finishing an excellent third with career-best form; 13lb higher than last year but still well in and should go well if the Gold Cup did not make him dig too deep. |
7/1 |
11/1
Form: /1U-12 C BF
Last run: 27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 9 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Won the Grade 1 Brown Advisory here in March 2022 and also the Cotswold Chase here last January; pushed Spillane's Tower close in that same 3m1f Grade 2 this season, when conceding 6lb to the winner, but no match for Haiti Couleurs since and this 11yo is up against it in today's company. |
50/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Unraced here but a stalwart of the 3m+ chase division elsewhere; runner-up in contrasting styles in two Cheltenham races this season, rallying after losing his place at halfway in a Grade 3 handicap on reappearance, and leading until after the final fence in a four-runner Grade 2 two weeks ago; unraced on heavy but goes well on soft; should ensure that Haiti Couleurs does not have it all his own way. |
5/4 |
|
2nd 2 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 1f 56y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Landed the odds in this race last year (soft ground) and showed a similar level of form when second under big weight in handicap here on reappearance, rallying after losing his place at halfway; should give his running again but has a bit to find on the figures with Grey Dawning. |
9/2 |
14/1
Form: 23-222
Last run: 80 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 170
| 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 |
25/1
Form: 1/1/41
Last run: 74 days
W: 11st 10lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 152
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16th 4 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 44y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Talented but delicate 12yo who has run just ten times over the years; conditions suit but he's been soundly beaten and pulled up in his two starts for new yard; will do very well to add to trainer's three wins in the race. |
40/1 |
|
2 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 13y Class 2 |
11st 11lb |
Low-mileage 12yo; had a record of 3-3 for Willie Mullins and 2-5 for Henry de Bromhead, but he was tailed off on stable debut at Cheltenham (22-1) on New Year's Day and needs to have come on a ton in the 16 days since. |
14/1 |
4/1
Form: 521-12
Last run: 41 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 |
24th Nov 2024 Yielding 2m 3f 150y |
11st 12lb |
prominent |
5/2 |
|
4th 3 |
24th Nov 2024 Yielding 2m 3f 150y |
11st 12lb |
prominent |
5/2 |
20/1
Form: /31-21
Last run: 132 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 160
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 5 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Has some good efforts at about 3m1f in his record but he was pulled up in last year's Gold Cup (25-1) and, after finishing a respectable third to Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown after Christmas, he wasn't at his best in a Grade 2 here last time out; his form needs an upgrade and others look better equipped for the stamina test; has been tongue tied or worn cheekpieces in recent starts, no aids today. |
66/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
25th Jan 2025 Good 3m 1f 56y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
raced in third, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 15th, not fluent 5 out, weakened 2 out |
3/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
25th Jan 2025 Good 3m 1f 56y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
raced in third, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 15th, not fluent 5 out, weakened 2 out |
3/1 |
25/1
Form: 2/29-1 C
Last run: 50 days
W: 11st 10lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 164
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 5 |
2nd May 2024 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
11st 10lb |
Unable to fulfill his immense promise due to injury; won the Galmoy Hurdle in January and not disgraced in the Liverpool Hurdle last time but needs to find a bit more; bled in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on his penultimate run. |
20/1 |
|
8th 5 |
2nd May 2024 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
11st 10lb |
Unable to fulfill his immense promise due to injury; won the Galmoy Hurdle in January and not disgraced in the Liverpool Hurdle last time but needs to find a bit more; bled in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on his penultimate run. |
20/1 |
|
4th 9 |
13th Apr 2024 Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Very promising in his younger days but missed two years due to an injury and, despite Grade 2 win on most recent hurdles attempt, it's still not clear whether he retains full ability; pulled up (bled from nose) in Cheltenham Gold Cup last month. |
12/1 |
25/1
Form: 07-411
Last run: 79 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 161
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 |
13th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 41y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Pulled up/tailed off on all seven starts since winning the Welsh National for the Moore stable in December 2023; it's tricky to assess what he's capable of nowadays but this race is vastly easier than he's used to and if he retains any spark he'll be tough to beat on this stable debut. |
3/1 |
|
2 |
31st Jan 2026 Soft 3m 0f 42y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
Well suited by soft/heavy ground; landed the 2023 Welsh National off current mark; subsequent form figures (P0PPPP) are dismal but this first run since wind surgery may be the time to bank on a revival and catch him; attractively handicapped, with that in mind. |
10/1 |
40/1
Form: 11-P42 C
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 162
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
25 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
10st 9lb |
11lb below his peak mark and well handicapped judged on best efforts, the most recent of which were over 3m on good ground late in 2024; muted in this three runs this term, only one of which was over fences but he ended up tailed off in that Wetherby race, which he'd won a year earlier; those past glories may now be too distant. |
66/1 |
|
3 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Front-runner who won this in good style last year (good) and again has the benefit of a recent run, which could give him an advantage over a few of these; can give a good account in first-time cheekpieces but it looks a hotter contest than 12 months ago and he carries a 6lb penalty this time. |
4/1 |
|
3 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Front-runner who won this in good style last year (good) and again has the benefit of a recent run, which could give him an advantage over a few of these; can give a good account in first-time cheekpieces but it looks a hotter contest than 12 months ago and he carries a 6lb penalty this time. |
4/1 |
Non-runners
Hewick
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £7.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £7.05 |
| Tricast | £51.44 |
| Trifecta | £73.00 |
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
Galopin Des ChampsThe Guardian:
L'Homme PresseTOPSPEED:
NassalamThe Times:
Corach RamblerTelegraph:
FastorslowWEST COUNTRY:
BravemansgameRP RATINGS:
Galopin Des ChampsPOSTDATA:
Galopin Des ChampsDaily Mail:
Galopin Des ChampsDaily Mirror:
Galopin Des ChampsThe Sun:
Galopin Des ChampsThe Star:
Galopin Des ChampsD Express:
L'Homme PresseDaily Record:
L'Homme Presse