Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips

Friday is the conclusion of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and the function race on the day is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the greatest reward in National Hunt racing.


A field of 11 will line up to attempt and claim the prize and a location in history. The absence of two-time winner Galopin Des Champs implies just last year's winner Inothewayurthinkin can prevent a new name being sculpted into the story of jumps racing.


Racing Post tipster Keith Melrose has 2 bets for the big race, and fancies the Gold Cup to be won by a British horse for the very first time considering that 2018.


Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting Tips


16:00 Cheltenham - Haiti Couleurs @ 13/2
16:00 Cheltenham - Grey Dawning @ 12/1


16:00 Cheltenham - Haiti Couleurs @ 13/2


The last British winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Native River, had run in the National Hunt Chase as a novice and won the Welsh Grand National the following season. Haiti Couleurs is a natural follower to that horse, a strong galloper and improver who can reach the summit of the sport on Friday.


After winning the National Hunt Chase at last year's Festival, Haiti Couleurs went to Ireland where he won the Irish Grand National. He then brought up the double when winning at Chepstow in December.


Ever since, he has actually won the Denman Chase, another race Native River took en route to winning his Gold Cup.


Given we are learning numerous lessons from Native River, we need to take the cautions also. He twice did not go fast enough in a Gold Cup and ended up in the minor money as a result.


It was under a strong ride from Richard Johnson that he prevailed in 2018 and Sean Bowen will definitely be continuing aboard Haiti Couleurs. That would take some of the less doughty stayers into unknown territory. That undoubtedly includes our 2nd choice, so perhaps see the staking strategy as covering the most bases.