The Cheltenham Festival reaches its thrilling climax today with Gold Cup day, the showpiece event of this prestigious four-day horseracing meeting. After three days of unpredictable and exhilarating action at Prestbury Park, the stage is set for a sensational crescendo as a closely matched field takes to the course for the Blue Riband event.
Gold Cup Preview and Festival Context
While the 2025 winner Inothewayurthinkin is not the favourite, history shows that previous success in this race often translates into strong form. Trainer Gavin Cromwell's champion will attempt to secure a second successive crown, but faces fierce competition. The day's stacked card promises to keep racegoers captivated from the opening Triumph Hurdle through the Mares Chase and Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, all building towards the main event.
Irish trainer Willie Mullins has already claimed two of the three champion races this week, with Lossiemouth's victory in the Champion Hurdle and Il Etait Temps' triumph in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The question on everyone's lips is whether he can make it a remarkable third champion victory in the Gold Cup.
Key Horses to Watch
As the Festival draws to a close, several horses merit particular attention. Bambino Fever, Dinoblue, and Murcia are among those tipped to deliver standout performances on this final day of racing.
Expert Race-by-Race Tips
1.20: JCB Triumph Hurdle
Ruby Walsh's tip: Proactif. "I'm a fan of Proactif, who appears to have improved significantly since his Irish debut win at Fairyhouse. While Macho Man followed him home that day, Proactif should be good enough to give JP McManus another winner."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Minella Study (each-way). "This isn't a race I have a strong view on, with numerous runners making compelling cases. It could be a year for a smaller trainer to make a big name, so I'm happy to side with Minella Study from Adam Nicol's Northumberland yard."
2.00: William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
Ruby Walsh's tip: Karbau. "He might not be a 'State Man', but Karbau ran really well behind Glen Kiln in the Limestone Lad Hurdle. Forecast rain will suit him more than stablemate Murcia, influencing Paul Townend's decision to make him his only handicap ride of the week. He has a really good chance."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Sinnatra (each-way). "I'm siding with the Skelton-trained Sinnatra. His peak effort was winning a Sandown maiden hurdle by a country mile in January, as the 1/8 favourite was entitled to do."
2.40: Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Steeple Chase
Ruby Walsh's tip: Dinoblue. "Dinoblue looks rock solid. She was excellent winning this race last year and has had ideal preparation to defend her crown. I can't see beyond her."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Dinoblue. "I'm surprised Dinoblue isn't odds-on at the time of writing. She's a confident selection to win this for a second successive year, with no disrespect to capable contenders like Paddy Power and Coral Gold Cup winner Panic Attack or stablemate Spindleberry."
3.20: Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Ruby Walsh's tip: Espresso Milan. "Doctor Steinberg has obvious claims, but this race can produce big-priced winners. I'm siding with Espresso Milan, who should enjoy this step up in trip with a strong gallop. He's the value selection."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Spinningayarn (each-way). "Favourite Doctor Steinberg has the pick of the form, but I worry he'll be too keen. Paul Nolan-trained Thedeviluno's form isn't far behind. However, Spinningayarn should improve significantly for stepping up in trip."
4.00: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase
Ruby Walsh's tip: Gaelic Warrior. "Gaelic Warrior bids for a Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double, and I'm with him. Any rain will be an advantage, and the race set-up should be ideal with plenty of pace. I can see him dropping in towards the inner, powering through on the run to the last."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Gaelic Warrior & Grey Dawning (each-way). "I'm pleased to see Gaelic Warrior take his chance in the Blue Riband event and recommended an ante-post bet on him. Nothing has changed despite his defeats since. He has Festival-winning form and a fantastic engine. I also recommended an each-way play on Grey Dawning ante-post, though he needs to bounce back after his Cotswold Chase run."
4.40: Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Steeple Chase
Ruby Walsh's tip: Panda Boy. "I fancy Panda Boy, a solid handicap chaser for Martin Brassil who qualified with wins in this discipline at Thurles and Naas. You need to be a strong stayer to win the Hunters' Chase, and he ticks that box. He's the most likely winner with John Gleeson on board."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Stattler (each-way). "Last year's winner Wonderwall returns as favourite, but this race isn't littered with dual winners. I'll take him on with a sporting each-way play on Stattler."
5.20: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
Ruby Walsh's tip: Kel Histoire. "Kel Histoire and Jump Allen both have solid chances, and I've just come down on the former. His overall form is stronger, and he has an eye-catching jockey booked in Michael Kenneally. He can deliver in the lucky last."
Jonathan Doidge's tip: Jump Allen. "I like Open Secret best, but my preference is the Willie Mullins-trained Jump Allen. Still very much unexposed, he won't mind the ground conditions and progressed steadily last season, culminating in a Class 2 handicap win at Sandown's end of season meeting in April."
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