Day 4 brings the Cheltenham Festival to its grand finale, with Gold Cup day providing the centrepiece of the entire meeting. The final afternoon regularly produces some of the most memorable scenes of the week as the best staying chasers line up for the sport’s most prestigious prize.
The card is packed with quality from start to finish, including the Triumph Hurdle for the leading juveniles, the ultra-competitive County Hurdle handicap, over the Gold Cup course.
As always, the meeting closes with the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle.
Below are our race previews and selections for all of Friday’s contests as the 2026 Cheltenham Festival reaches its final chapter.
1:20 Triumph Hurdle
The Triumph Hurdle gets the final day underway and traditionally offers an early glimpse of the next generation of top hurdlers. Run over two miles on the New Course, it regularly produces horses who go on to major success later in their careers.
This year’s renewal features several exciting juveniles with strong credentials heading into the Festival.
Proactif (10/3) sits at the top of the market after putting together a series of impressive performances during the season. If he delivers that same level here, he sets a clear standard for the rest of the field.
Selma De Vary (9/2) is next in the betting and arrives as a steadily improving runner whose style suggests the Cheltenham test could play to her strengths.
Course experience is on the side of Maestro Conti (7/1), who already has a victory at the track after scoring here in January. Minella Study (7/1) has also been mentioned by several analysts as one who could make his presence felt.
For those looking at bigger odds, Highland Crystal (14/1) stands out as an each-way possibility. She finished in front of Saratoga on her latest outing, and that piece of form has been boosted after Saratoga returned to win the Fred Winter earlier in the week.
TIP: Proactif
MAIN DANGER: Maestro Conti
E/W VALUE: Highland Crystal
2:00 County Hurdle
The County Hurdle has long been one of the most competitive handicaps of the entire Festival. Even with a slightly reduced field this year, it still looks extremely open.
Recent history strongly favours the yards of Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton, who have dominated the race between them in recent seasons.
Mullins again has a strong pair of contenders with Karbau (5/1) and Murcia (6/1). Both arrive with solid credentials, although Murcia could prove particularly well treated if things fall right during the race.
From the Skelton team, Sinnatra (9/1) looks a major contender and has the type of profile that often succeeds in this race.
Absurde (12/1) returns to a race his yard knows well, while Wilful (14/1) and Sixandahalf (14/1) are others who bring strong handicap form to the table.
Given the recent dominance of Mullins and Skelton in this race, it would be no surprise to see one of their runners prevail again. Murcia looks the most appealing option, with Sinnatra likely to be close behind and Absurde interesting at double-figure odds.
TIP: Murcia
MAIN DANGER: Sinnatra
E/W VALUE: Absurde
2:40 Mares Chase
The Mares’ Chase is still a relatively recent addition to the Festival programme, yet the pattern so far has been very clear. Every winner of the race has been trained in Ireland, with Willie Mullins responsible for three victories.
Last season Dinoblue (13/8) dominated the contest, reversing the previous year’s result after finishing second in 2024. Her success was decisive, winning by eight and a half lengths, and she returns looking to repeat that performance.
Panic Attack (9/2) could provide the biggest challenge. The Dan Skelton runner arrives in good form and has continued to improve with each outing.
Mullins also runs Spindleberry (5/1), another classy mare who must be respected, while Only By Night (8/1) represents Gavin Cromwell, whose mare Limerick Lace won the race in 2024.
Based on recent trends and the strength of the Mullins stable, Dinoblue again appears the one the rest must try to beat.
TIP: Dinoblue
MAIN DANGER: Panic Attack
E/W VALUE: Only By Night
3:20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is known for its demanding nature, testing both stamina and resilience over three miles.
Willie Mullins enjoyed success in the race last year when Jasmin De Vaux landed the prize, and the stable once again sends a strong candidate to the race.
Doctor Steinberg (4/1) heads the betting after a string of impressive victories and looks likely to relish the step up in trip.
Thedeviluno (9/2), trained by Paul Nolan, brings a consistent profile and proven stamina, making him a serious contender.
Spinningayarn (12/1) from the Gordon Elliott yard is another runner who could get involved if he stays the distance.
Doctor Steinberg brings the strongest recent form, although the Albert Bartlett has a reputation for producing surprise results.
TIP: Doctor Steinberg
MAIN DANGER: Thedeviluno
E/W VALUE: Spinningayarn
4:00 Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup remains the ultimate prize in jump racing and the highlight of the entire Festival. Run over three miles and two and a half furlongs, it demands stamina, class and precision jumping.
One of the most talked-about runners this year is The Jukebox Man (9/2), owned by Harry Redknapp. A victory for him would be hugely popular with racing fans. Trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Ben Jones, he has already shown the ability to compete at the highest level.
Haiti Couleurs (17/2) brings outstanding staying form. The Rebecca Curtis-trained nine-year-old won the 2025 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, followed by victories in both the 2025 Irish Grand National and Welsh Grand National. He also impressed with a front-running win in the 2026 Denman Chase at Newbury.
The field also includes strong contenders such as Gaelic Warrior (7/2), Jango Baie (4/1) and defending champion Inothewayurthinkin.
With his profile and connections, The Jukebox Man would be a hugely popular winner, though Haiti Couleurs brings tremendous stamina to the contest. At bigger odds, Spillane’s Tower (14/1) could outperform his price.
TIP: The Jukebox Man
MAIN DANGER: Haiti Couleurs
E/W VALUE: Spillane’s Tower
4:40 St James’s Place Hunters’ Chase
The Hunters’ Chase, often described as the amateurs’ Gold Cup, is run over the same course and distance as the main championship race but features amateur riders.
Last year Wonderwall narrowly defeated Its On The Line, winning by a neck at 28/1.
Its On The Line returns once again and, having finished second several times in this race, could finally get his moment. Trained by Emmet Mullins, he has the experience and ability required for this demanding contest.
Panda Boy (7/1) is another strong Irish challenger with solid staying credentials.
The defending champion Wonderwall (9/2) must also be respected, while Con’s Roc (8/1) is an improving runner who could step forward again.
Given his recent efforts in the race, Its On The Line looks sure to be involved once more.
TIP: Wonderwall
MAIN DANGER: Its On The Line
E/W VALUE: Golden Son
5:20 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
The Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle closes the Cheltenham Festival and regularly provides one final betting challenge for punters.
Restricted to conditional jockeys, it often features improving horses from the leading yards.
Last year Gordon Elliott struck late in the meeting when Wodhooh won the race, and the Irish trainers again look strongly represented.
Kel Histoire (5/1) leads the market for Willie Mullins, while stablemate Roc Dino (8/1) is another contender who could prove well handicapped.
East India Express (14/1) from the Nicky Henderson yard is another interesting runner with Freddie Gordon booked to ride.
With such a large field expected, the closing race of the Festival once again looks extremely competitive.
TIP: Roc Dino
MAIN DANGER: Kel Histoire
E/W VALUE: East India Express
As the final race of the week comes to an end and the crowds begin to leave Cheltenham, the curtain falls on another memorable Festival.
Gold Cup day rarely disappoints, combining championship racing with fiercely competitive handicaps and dramatic finishes.
Whether you are cheering home a short-priced favourite or hoping for a big-priced surprise, the final afternoon of the meeting always provides a fitting end to four days of top-class jump racing.
BETFRED
