Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026 - 'He does come alive at Cheltenham'

Emma Nagle, jockey coach Paddy Flood and broadcaster and journalist Johnny Ward are joined by William Hill’s Sam Norris to preview this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

This year’s Gold Cup looks a fascinating betting heat with Fact To File, Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man the top three in the market. The team looked ahead to the week's showpiece and their ideas of the likely winner.

Sam Norris

I think the horse that beat the pair of them on Boxing Day, The Jukebox Man, is probably the way to play this race.

I know it’s an easy three miles at Kempton, and that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get three and a quarter up the Cheltenham Hill, but he jumped so well.

He jumped like a buck the race before at Haydock and was really impressive at Kempton this year.

He was impressive at Kempton last year as well in the novice chase. He’s the one for me The Jukebox Man at 11/2.

The Jukebox Man - 11-2 with William Hill to win the Gold Cup

Paddy Flood

The Jukebox Man is probably the one. Jango Baie is favourite, but I can’t have him as favourite.

He was there at Kempton to win the race. They jumped the last upsides and he came out the wrong side of it. He just wasn’t good enough in the end.

I thought The Jukebox Man jumped better at Kempton than he did the first day. He was a bit fresh the first day and jumped big.

Around Cheltenham, if you jump big, you lose a length here and there and lose your position.

That’s what makes Galopin Des Champs so good - he doesn’t mind hitting a fence; he doesn’t lose ground doing it. I’d love to see him back.

The Jukebox Man - 11-2 with William Hill to win the Gold Cup

Johnny Ward

Looking at the market now, it’s remarkable that the first three include a horse needing supplementation, Jango Baie, and The Jukebox Man. Few would have predicted that earlier in the season.

There’s also interest in Inothewayurthinkin at around 14/1.

He’s unreliable, and his preparation hasn’t been ideal, but he does come alive at Cheltenham. He’s a stayer with speed and, if he’s in contention at the last, he could outsprint rivals up the hill. Given the doubts, he may be more of a win-only bet than each-way.

Inothewayurthinkin - 14-1 with William Hill to win the Gold Cup

Emma Nagle

At the start of the year, Gaelic Warrior was my Gold Cup pick and I’m happy with that.

I think they probably will go this way. Watching back Leopardstown, with a more positive ride, he might have been closer.

Gaelic Warrior - 6-1 with William Hill to win the Gold Cup

Get 40 in Free Bets with William Hill

Watch our full 2026 Cheltenham Festival Preview