Last Updated on 09/05/2026 by Andy Clark
Adam O’Brien is a seasoned horse racing tipster with a particular focus on Cheltenham Festival ante-post betting. With years of experience analysing form, trainer patterns, and festival trends, Adam provides expert insights to help punters navigate the high-stakes world of National Hunt racing. Known for his clear, practical advice and knack for spotting value in early markets, he has built a reputation among both casual punters and serious Festival followers.
Friday 13th March is Gold Cup Day — the most anticipated day of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and the one the entire week builds towards and you can see all our Cheltenham day 4 tips below.
The seven races include the JCB Triumph Hurdle, the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle, the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase, the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and, at 4.00pm, the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup itself. Our tipster, Adam O’Brien, has covered every race with full ante-post analysis.
For the historical stats underpinning each race, see our Cheltenham Day 4 Trends page, which covers trainer records, price patterns, age profiles and horses to avoid for all seven Friday races. For free bets to back these selections with, see our Cheltenham Festival free bets guide. If you’re betting ante-post on the Gold Cup or any other Day 4 race, check which bookmakers offer non-runner no bet protection — horses like Gaelic Warrior still have uncertain targets, and NRNB could save your stake.
Read More: Cheltenham Festival Tips Hub | Cheltenham Day 1 Tips | Cheltenham Day 2 Tips | Cheltenham Day 3 Tips
Cheltenham Day 4 2026 Ante-Post Tips
Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival 2026 features the Cheltenham Gold Cup as the Festival comes to a close. Our expert Day 4 tips cover every race on the card, combining form analysis, Festival trends and value betting opportunities. Whether you’re backing favourites, looking for each-way value or hunting a big-priced outsider, the previews below give you the insight you need to navigate Friday’s action at Prestbury Park.
Read More: Get the Cheltenham Day 4 Trends for every race on Friday →
1.20pm – The JCB Triumph Hurdle | PROACTIF (7/1) & FEEL GUT (25/1)
Tip by Adam O’Brien | Written 30th January 2026
I am a sucker for novice/juvenile hurdle, and I must say that I’ve had a few darts in this race already, as I try to get ahead of the market on all the French recruits before they run in the UK/Ireland. I believe the book I have on the race is a good one, but I won’t let that obscure my judgment when looking at the race as it is now.
PROACTIF (7/1) jumped beautifully and went away from his rival over the last. I would imagine he will come on for his 2nd run too, and if that is the case, then he could take the world of beating, and he’s the one I want to be with now for March.
The 7/1 (pretty much across the board) is fair, and I can see him going off a wee bit shorter. Whether he has another run before Cheltenham is unknown, as he’s not entered in the Dublin Racing Festival and there’s no obvious target. That wouldn’t worry me too much, though, as he’s had a run in France in September and his trainer showed us last year; he can win this race with a horse with no hurdle experience. My only worry with him is that he has a Supreme entry, and there’s a small chance he ends up there, but that may be a late decision for the JP McManus team.
The race looks like being a deep field, packed with expensive recruits for big owners and trainers, both from France and off the flat. Maestro Conti for Dan Skelton impressed over Christmas and enhanced his claims on the weekend at Cheltenham’s Trials Day meeting when beating One Horse Town and the much-fancied Minella Yoga. The Paul Nicholls charge was 2/2 over hurdles going into that contest and was impressive when beating Turners Novice Hurdle fancy Act of Innocence at Newbury at the end of December. The form looks like it could hold up, so I won’t be ruling Maestro Conti out, come March.
FEEL GUT (25/1) is another horse for Nicky Henderson, who also comes with a heavy price tag and reputation. He made his debut for the yard on Friday and, quite frankly, bolted up. It may have only been a ‘Junior National Hunt Hurdle’, but he couldn’t have looked any better and got the job done in the minimum of fuss. The performance made me take note when watching live, but I was even more impressed after watching it back. He put the race to bed in a matter of strides and looked to have some engine. The owner and trainer do have other options for the race, but I would be amazed if this lad didn’t line up in the Triumph. He was keen to start with but learned on the job, jumped brilliantly and showed that he has potential to be top class.
2.00pm – The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle | ROC DINO (25/1)
Tip by Adam O’Brien | Written 30th January 2026
The County Hurdle is the race I have the biggest opinion on when it comes to the ‘lesser’ races on the Friday. In my opinion, it’s also a race where you don’t have to overthink it, with 10 of the last 11 winners coming from either the Willie Mullins or Dan Skelton yards. On that note, the 2 obvious ones at this stage are Live Conti (12/1) and ROC DINO (25/1).
Live Conti now seems to be their county horse following the setback to Fortune De Mar and his price has contracted quite a bit (from 33s) in the last 2 weeks. He had his 5th run at Windsor on the weekend, and I would say he is now primed for the race. With the 5 runs needed to get into the race, Willie Mullins won’t have many bullets to fire, so you have to be wary of any of his that do go to post. Roc Dino was last seen ‘chasing’ Mighty Park round Fairyhouse last week and wasn’t really asked to close on him, and subsequently was beaten 38 lengths. He has only had 4 starts so will need to run again, and he has been entered to take El Cairos on in a maiden next week. Watch out for that one. I would be amazed if Roc Dino didn’t go off at least half the price he is now, if he does indeed line up here.
2.40pm – The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase | DIVA LUNA (14/1) & JADE DE GRUGY (12/1)
Tip by Adam O’Brien | Written 30th January 2026
To be honest, I am not a massive fan of the Mares races at the Festival (too much ducking and diving), but this race looks like it has potential to be a cracker at this stage.
Like all races, there are question marks over all of the top end’s participation, and there is a chance that some of these mares are rerouted to other targets, so my focus here is trying to find value in the ones that will run. I am keen to take on the top of the market, and my preference would be for the improving mare of Ben Pauling’s, DIVA LUNA, who I think is a fair 14/1 shot. The trainer was never happy with her last season, but he’s delighted with her campaign so far this season, and I think she has a real chance here after taking well to fences in her 2 starts to date.
She was due to run at the weekend against the boys in the Scilly Isles, but a small setback has put paid to that, unfortunately. That setback shouldn’t be enough to keep her out of the spring, though, so she’s still a mare I think can play a big part in the race.
JADE DE GRUGY (12/1) has been the horse on my radar for this all season, and I don’t want to desert her just yet, even though it took the 3rd time of asking to get her head in front over fences. Those defeats weren’t too damaging for me, and I’d be hopeful she would improve from her chasing debut when beaten 15½ lengths by Kala Conti. Her run next time over Christmas was encouraging and was just outstayed by a tough mare in The Big Westerner. She then won how she wanted to LTO when sent off 1/7 at Thurles.
I think there’s a slight worry she could be one of the ones that gets re-routed by going to the Mares’ Hurdle, but the vibes are that Lossiemouth goes there, and if she does, then my selection here has to be fancied and just can’t go off anywhere near the 12/1 she is now.
3.20pm – The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle | THEFLYINGKING (33/1)
Tip by Adam O’Brien | Written 30th January 2026
The Albert Bartlett isn’t a race I like to play too much in from an early stage. It has often produced big price winners and can be a race that’s difficult to predict. Having said that, I did back one a while ago and it remains my only play in the race. THEFLYINGKING (33/1) is the horse, and I think he is still a great price at 33/1 now. He got an entry (albeit Gordon was late with the button) for the Turners and this race earlier in the week, and I would be hopeful he ends up here. He hasn’t run since mid-November when he was 2nd to Ill Sort That (not bad form now) over 2 miles at Navan. He has been entered in races but not been declared, so I’ve been a little sceptical about his wellbeing and I would have preferred to have seen him again.
Previously, it was deemed that you had to have an experienced horse to win this race, but in recent years, we have seen winners of the race come here off the back of only 1-2 runs. I would say that, despite running at only 2 miles last time out, he is a horse that will be better at a trip. He ran over 2m6f on debut when he fell at the last when clear, so Gordon clearly thinks he has no problems getting that trip. I think he’s a big player in this, and if he were to run again before the Festival, I believe he will enhance those claims, and his price would plummet as a result.
With Willie Mullins bingo always being a thing and even more so this year with lots of his novices so far underperforming, it’s impossible to know what actually runs here and what the market could look like on the day. I would say my charge’s main rivals could come from Closutton, though, and if Doctor Steinberg or/and You Proof were to turn up here, then that would have to be fancied. Doctor Steinberg has shortened over the last 10 days, and the 16/1 about him is long gone. His form was franked by Thedeviluno at Doncaster at the weekend and he’s the clear favourite now. He is due to go off favourite on day 1 of the Dublin Racing Festival on the weekend in the Natheniel Lacey over 2m6f, and he is surely a big player in this division.
4.00pm – The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup | GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (11/2) & JANGO BAIE (7/1)
Tip by Adam O’Brien | Written 30th January 2026
The main event of the week and one of the most open and competitive Cheltenham Gold Cups we have had in recent years. Around 2 points separate the top 4 in the market, and it wouldn’t surprise me if any of the top 8-9 in the betting were to win the most sought-after prize in jump racing.
Two-time champion Galopin Des Champs heads the betting as he looks to be the first horse to regain the Gold Cup since Kauto Star in 2009. He was de-throned by Inothewayurthinkin in last year’s event when he never really travelled from the get-go. His campaign started later this year due to a setback, and with no 10-year-old winner since 1998, the stats and trends are against him. He ran well on his comeback over Christmas, and he still surely has a chance of making history again.
Inothewayurthinkin sits just below him in the betting, even though he has had 2 deplorable runs so far this season. The worry for me (and punters) would be how badly he performed over Christmas despite the trainer feeling confident going into the race. The market knew he was going to stink the place out, though, and unfortunately, it’s a horse/set of connections you can’t try to second-guess. All eyes will be on how he runs in the Irish Gold Cup and if he can truly be a player in this year’s race.
The ability he has shown at Aintree and Cheltenham over the last 2 years is all there to see, so he cannot be without a chance if he turns up in form on the day.
The next 3 in the field to mention are the horses who filled places 1, 3 and 4 in this season’s King George on Boxing Day. The winner (The Jukebox Man) and the 4th (Jango Baie) are joint 2nd favs and, despite having entries in the Ryanair, seem certain to come here. Only split by ½ length, the 2 British challengers put in career best efforts at Kempton and should line up with every chance of improving again and giving the former winners a massive threat to think about. Having both run well at Cheltenham before, and with neither horse lacking speed and stamina, I believe they tick many boxes for the race, and their odds reflect their chances.
Gaelic Warrior was 1 horse that was between the pair at Christmas, and he also carries a leading chance. A slightly bigger price in the market (12/1) probably represents some degree of doubt that he is 100% coming here. He is still a shorter price for the Ryanair than he is for this, and punters would have to be aware of not backing a certain runner if they took the price for this race now. The 2024 Arkle winner certainly has an excellent chance if he were to run, but he’s one I will leave now or advise backing NRNB.
Other notable horses who could run well at an each-way price stem from the 1-2 of the Savills Chase in Ireland over Christmas. Affordale Fury (punted from 20/1 to 7/1 on the day) was a surprise winner (despite the punt) to many due to him not getting his head in front in graded level previously. The Grand National winner from 2024, I Am Maximus, ran the best he has at Graded level since he won the Drinmore Novice Chase in December 2023. The further 2 furlongs at Cheltenham should suit, and if he were to get conditions to his liking, he can definitely outrun his odds of 25/1.
It’s a great race which really does offer punters plenty of value 6 weeks out. Overall, I just cannot let GALOPIN DES CHAMPS go unbacked at 11/2 before he runs this weekend. I think he wins the Irish Gold Cup at the weekend and in doing so, shortens markedly for the main event in March. My advice is to back him now, watch him claim his 4th Irish Gold Cup and then cross your fingers he gets to Cheltenham as sound as he can be. Because if he does, he won’t be the price he is now, and he will be the one they all have to beat again.
My other fancy and alternative selection to the old guy is JANGO BAIE (7/1). I think last season’s Arkle winner will have to jump better than he did at Kempton if he is to win here, but I’ll give him the benefit of doubt. The way the race was run over Christmas didn’t quite suit him, and I believe a fast-run Gold Cup could really play to his strengths and bring his stamina into play. He’s on course to run again at Newbury in the Denman Chase and should further enhance his claims there. I can’t see his price contracting too much before the day, but 7/1 is a fair representation of his chance.
4.40pm – The Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase | MUSIC DRIVE (12/1)
Tip by Brian Healy | Written 28th February 2026
The ‘Amateur’s Gold Cup’ follows on from Friday’s big race, and it could be worth sticking with MUSIC DRIVE (12/1) to better last season’s fourth in this race.
Kelly Morgan’s charge hasn’t run under Rules since being victorious over C&D last May, impressively beating Grachus De Balme; but he’ll be fit enough given he’s been running in point-to-points in the meantime.
He caught the eye finishing fourth twelve months ago, keeping on well, and his rider will be a lot more experienced this time around; experience counted for plenty when he won in May under Gina Andrews and the horse he beat that day was no slouch, having won at Aintree prior and then Stratford afterwards.
A nine-year-old with relatively few miles on the clock, he has shown some good form in his younger days, including finishing eighth in the 2022 Champion Bumper and going close in a Grade Two hurdle here later that same year. With plenty of course experience, a promising rider who’ll be more streetwise this time and still with potential for better, then the Muhtathir gelding can give a good account of himself once more in this race.
5.20pm – The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle | I STARTED A JOKE (12/1)
Tip by Brian Healy | Written 28th February 2026
The final race of the Festival and a graveyard for favourites in recent years, the Martin Pipe Hurdle is for conditional riders and a tricky ‘get out stakes’ for many.
In a difficult race I’ve landed on I STARTED A JOKE (12/1) from the Charles Byrnes yard, who finished down the field in last season’s Champion Bumper, but the Soldier Of Fortune gelding has looked a potentially useful sort since going hurdling this term.
Placed in his first three starts of the campaign at Listowel, Navan and Limerick respectively, he got off the mark at Punchestown in January when taking a twenty-runner affair by eight lengths from Springhill Warrior, and he almost backed that up at Leopardstown in February when beaten just over one length by Bowensonfire.
He was outgunned by the winner, having travelled best into the straight, but the front pair pulled six lengths clear, and as one with point-to-point experience, then the additional distance of this contest may yield some improvement despite the handicapper reacting quite harshly to that near-miss.
There could be better yet to come from the seven-year-old who is still relatively unexposed as a hurdler and certainly over this longer trip, although he’s mostly raced on testing ground thus far, and quicker conditions at Cheltenham in March aren’t guaranteed to suit. However, if the ground proves no issue, he could run a big race.
Cheltenham Day 4 2026 Race Schedule
The racing gets underway at 1.20pm on Friday 13th March, with the Gold Cup off at 4.00pm.
| Time | Race | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20pm | The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m 1f | Hurdle |
| 2.00pm | The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) | 2m 1f | Hurdle |
| 2.40pm | The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2) | 2m 4f | Chase |
| 3.20pm | The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) | 3m 80y | Hurdle |
| 4.00pm | The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) | 3m 2½f | Chase |
| 4.40pm | The Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase | 3m 2½f | Chase |
| 5.20pm | The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) | 2m 4½f | Hurdle |
Cheltenham Day 4 Free Bet Offers
It’s the big one and the bookies are always out in full force on Gold Cup day. For many it’s all about the Gold Cup, but you’ll find great odds and offers on all seven races. We always bring you the best odds for all our tips — browse our most trusted bookmakers below.
If you already have accounts with the main bookmakers, our Cheltenham existing customer offers guide has the Day 4 price boosts, extra places and Gold Cup specials. For non-runner protection on ante-post Gold Cup bets — particularly relevant given the uncertain targets of horses like Gaelic Warrior — see our non-runner no bet guide. The County Hurdle and Martin Pipe are large-field handicaps where extra places from bookmakers add real each-way value.
Don’t forget BoyleSports are also running their Money Back on the First Race Every Day promotion on Gold Cup Friday — if your selection in the 1.20pm Triumph Hurdle loses, you get your stake back as a free bet up to £10.
Cheltenham Day 4 Trends
For the full historical stats covering all seven Gold Cup Friday races — trainer records, price patterns, age profiles and horses to avoid — see our dedicated Cheltenham Day 4 Trends page.
Key patterns to be aware of for Friday:
- The Triumph Hurdle has a strong record for Willie Mullins — he has trained more winners of the race than any other trainer, and French recruits with limited UK/Ireland experience regularly win
- The County Hurdle is almost exclusively won by horses trained by Willie Mullins or Dan Skelton — 10 of the last 11 winners came from one of those two yards
- The Gold Cup has a poor record for 10-year-olds — no horse of that age has won since 1998, which is a notable flag for Galopin Des Champs’ bid
- The Albert Bartlett has historically favoured experienced stayers, though recent renewals have thrown up winners with only one or two hurdle starts
- The Martin Pipe is a graveyard for favourites — back-to-lay strategies and each-way value at bigger prices are well worth exploring
Full trends, trainer stats and horses-to-avoid analysis for every race: Cheltenham Day 4 Trends →
What Are Other Pundits Predicting for Cheltenham Day 4?
Every man and their dog will have their thoughts on the Gold Cup, but we’re only interested in what the best pundits in the game have to say. Throughout ITV Racing’s coverage there will be plenty of ex-jockeys and analysts having their say, including Ruby Walsh, AP McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Matt Chapman. Tom Segal’s Pricewise column will also be essential reading in the days before the Gold Cup.
We make sure you don’t miss anything they have to say — find all their tips and best current prices on our dedicated Cheltenham pundit tips page.
Cheltenham Day 4 2026 FAQs
What races are on at Cheltenham on Friday?
Day 4 — Gold Cup Day — features seven races: the JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.20pm), the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (2.00pm), the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (2.40pm), the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3.20pm), the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (4.00pm), the Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase (4.40pm) and the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (5.20pm).
What is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious race in National Hunt racing, run over three miles two and a half furlongs on Gold Cup Friday. It is the feature race of the entire Festival and the richest jump racing prize in the UK. Galopin Des Champs is the two-time defending champion heading into the 2026 renewal, bidding to become the first horse to regain the title since Kauto Star in 2009.
What is the Triumph Hurdle?
The JCB Triumph Hurdle is a Grade 1 run over two miles one furlong, restricted to four-year-old hurdlers. It is the juvenile championship of the Festival and regularly attracts expensive French recruits purchased specifically for the race. Willie Mullins has a dominant record in the race and French-bred horses with limited UK/Ireland experience have a strong recent record.
What is the County Hurdle?
The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle is a premier handicap run over two miles one furlong with typically large fields of 20-plus runners. It is one of the most competitive handicaps of the week — but also one of the most predictable in terms of trainer patterns, with Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton between them training 10 of the last 11 winners. Each-way value at mid-range prices is regularly found.
What is the Albert Bartlett?
The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 run over three miles, making it the longest hurdle race for novices at the Festival. It is a stamina test that regularly produces big-priced winners and has become increasingly open in recent years, with horses arriving off just one or two starts winning in recent renewals.
What is the Martin Pipe?
The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle is the final race of the entire Festival, run over two miles four and a half furlongs and restricted to conditional (apprentice) jockeys. It is famously difficult to predict — favourites have a poor record — and Irish-trained horses have a strong recent record in the race.
Where can I find the best free bets for the Gold Cup?
Our Cheltenham Gold Cup free bets page covers every sign-up offer and Gold Cup-specific promotion available from all major bookmakers. For existing customers, our Day 4 offers page has the Gold Cup price boosts and daily specials.
Should I use non-runner no bet for Gold Cup ante-post bets?
Yes, especially for horses with uncertain targets like Gaelic Warrior, who remains a shorter price for the Ryanair than the Gold Cup. NRNB means your stake is returned if your selection doesn’t run. See our non-runner no bet guide for which bookmakers offer this protection on the Gold Cup and all other Day 4 races.
Which trainer has the best Gold Cup record?
Willie Mullins has the best recent record, training Galopin Des Champs to back-to-back Gold Cup wins in 2023 and 2024. Gordon Elliott trained the 2025 winner Inothewayurthinkin. Between them, the two Irish yards have dominated the race in recent years, though British-trained runners from the Henderson and Skelton yards have been increasingly competitive.
More Cheltenham 2026 Tips
Cheltenham Festival Tips Hub – Overview of all 28 races across all four days.
Cheltenham Day 1 Tips – Champion Day preview including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle and Champion Hurdle.
Cheltenham Day 2 Tips – Ladies Day preview including the BetMGM Champion Chase, Brown Advisory and Champion Bumper.
Cheltenham Day 3 Tips – St Patrick’s Thursday preview including the Ryanair Chase and Stayers’ Hurdle.
Cheltenham Day 4 Trends – Full historical stats for all seven Gold Cup Friday races.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Free Bets – Every sign-up offer and Gold Cup promotion available.
Cheltenham Free Bets – Every new customer offer for the 2026 Festival.
Cheltenham Existing Customer Offers – Day 4 price boosts, Gold Cup specials and daily promotions.
Non-Runner No Bet Guide – Which bookmakers protect your ante-post bets if your horse doesn’t run.
Cheltenham Extra Places – Which firms are paying extra places on the County Hurdle and Martin Pipe.
Ruby Walsh Cheltenham Tips – Festival selections from one of the greatest Festival jockeys of all time.
Tom Segal Cheltenham Tips – Pricewise Gold Cup selection and ante-post picks.
Mick Fitzgerald Cheltenham Tips – ITV Racing analysis across all four days.
Odds correct at time of writing. Prices will move — always check current quotes before betting. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Full terms apply to all free bet offers.