16.00
Good To SoftBoodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £363999.38
- 3m 2f 70y
- Class 1
- 9 runners
Runners: 9 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
13/2 (Won)
- Win: £8.50
- Place: £1.60
Form: 11-754 CD
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 160
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner last year; no sign of best form on his first three runs this term; repeated previous Cheltenham trend of leaving winter form behind to finish third in the Gold Cup, despite not jumping particularly well; 0-4 at this venue and was trounced by Gaelic Warrior here as a novice; will need to catch the big two on an off-day. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 7 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Disappointing on his three runs this term and a major turnaround is required; however, he's left his winter form behind to win at the Cheltenham Festival in each of the last two seasons (soft/good to soft), including this race last year by 6l, and he attracted market support last week; cheekpieces go on and he'll be tough to beat if rediscovering his brilliant best. |
7/1 |
|
9 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner; had failed to test Galopin Des Champs in two C&D clashes before justifying his supplementary entry by denying the Mullins-trained star a Gold Cup hat-trick; found the trip inadequate in the John Durkan; stable's relatively poor form at the time offers a partial excuse for a lifeless run in the Savills; plenty to prove all the same. |
10/1 |
4/7
- Place: £1.40
Form: 1-2311 CD
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 177
| 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 |
66/1
- Place: £4.80
Form: P5-433
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 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 |
9/1
Form: 12-225
Last run: 41 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 9 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Just 1-11 as a chaser, largely because he keeps trying in vain at Grade 1 level; fourth in last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup was one of his peak efforts, as was this season's never-nearer fifth in a Leopardstown Grade 1 at Christmas; he didn't fare so well in the Irish Gold Cup last time but was the only one matching strides with the top-class winner on the home turn; going up markedly in trip today, in a handicap, makes him a mouthwatering proposition. |
14/1 |
|
6th 11 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Chase record is an off-putting 1-10; can perform respectably at a high level; second in Grade 1s as a novice, fourth behind Inothwayurthinkin in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup; laboured under a big weight burden in the Coral Gold Cup; finishes behind four of these rivals (and in front of four others) in the Savills. |
25/1 |
33/1
Form: P5-U14 C
Last run: 78 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 159
| 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 |
66/1
Form: 1F-1P6 D
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 10lb
11 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 |
5/1
Form: 9-14U1 C
Last run: 78 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 11lb |
So nearly won his second King George at Kempton over Christmas but, although he's a class act, excelling over 3m on good ground at that speed track doesn't mean that this test will suit him; his moderate late headway in the extended 2m4f Grade 1 Ryanair at Cheltenham last month isn't that persuasive either. |
50/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Won the Martin Pipe over hurdles at this meeting in 2022 as well as a novice chase here that year, but Kempton is where his heart lies, having won the Grade 1 King George (3m, good) in 2024 and gone desperately close in the same race (first-time visor, retained here) on Boxing Day; however, he's been beaten a long way out at the last two Festivals, in this race and the Gold Cup, and a flat track may now be ideal; has something to prove. |
6/1 |
|
4th 1 |
30th Apr 2025 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
jumped left on occasions, raced in third, went second 6th, struggling and lost second 3 out, weakening when lost third before 2 out, tailed off |
4/1 |
50/1
Form: 62-3PP C
Last run: 54 days
W: 11st 10lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 165
| 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 |
20/1
Form: 13-262 C BF
Last run: 27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Strong stayer who made short work of his rivals in the National Hunt Chase here (3m6f, heavy) last March and showed he could do more than just grind away when close up in the Bowl (3m1f, soft) at Aintree after; unable to go with Banbridge in the home straight in the King George at Kempton (3m) on Boxing Day and his pace was again lacking over 2m5f at Ascot (good) last month, but this test can see him back in a good place; a dollop of rain would help but he isn't a forlorn hope. |
20/1 |
|
2 |
15th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 8y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Second-season chaser who never landed a blow in good-ground King George last time (raced mostly on soft/heavy otherwise); not short of stamina, having been successful over 3m6f at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, but his last attempt over 2m5f resulted in a win; major player provided he copes with the return to this distance and shows best form. |
5/2 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £17.10 |
| Straight Forecast | £13.10 |
| Tricast | £182.61 |
| Trifecta | £191.80 |
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
Galopin Des ChampsTOPSPEED:
BanbridgeRP RATINGS:
Galopin Des ChampsPOSTDATA:
Galopin Des ChampsThe Times:
Galopin Des ChampsTelegraph:
Galopin Des ChampsThe Guardian:
Galopin Des ChampsDaily Mail:
Galopin Des ChampsD Express:
Galopin Des ChampsDaily Mirror:
Galopin Des ChampsThe Sun:
Galopin Des ChampsThe Star:
Galopin Des ChampsDaily Record:
Banbridge