LIVECheltenham Day 4: tips, cards, results and live updates on Gold Cup Friday
RECORD BREAKER: Paul Townend became the most successful Gold Cup jockey ever when he won the race on Gaelic Warrior. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.
5:48pm That's it for us. We'll have plenty more on site from Darren Norris in Cheltenham over the weekend and in Saturday's edition of the paper.
5:46pm The final standings for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Ireland 15 Great Britain 13
8 wins: Willie Mullins
3 wins: Nicky Henderson
2 wins: Dan Skelton, Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, Henry de Bromhead
1 win: Pádraig Roche, Gavin Cromwell, Venetia Williams, Noel Meade, Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, Ben Pauling, Gordon Elliott, Joseph O’Brien, Cath Williams. Jamie Snowden, Joe O’Shea
4 wins: Paul Townend
2 wins: James Bowen, Harry Skelton, Mark Walsh
1 win: Nico de Boinville, Danny Mullins, Richie McLernon, Harry Cobden, Conor Stone-Walsh, Charlie Deutsch, Colin Keane, Tom Bellamy, Ben Jones, Jack Kennedy, JJ Slevin, Darragh O’Keeffe, Shane Cotter, Patrick Mullins, Jonjo O’Neill Jr, Gavin Sheehan, Henry Crow, Paddy O’Brien
5:44pm Willie Mullins was not aware that Paul Townend is now the most successful jockey ever in the Gold Cup.
“What I always say about Paul is that he is just so cool, he’s especially good under pressure and there is no pressure like Gold Cup day in Cheltenham," Mullins told the Press Association.
“I always find when the going gets tough, Paul gets going. He is just my ultimate man. When you need a bit of coolness, Paul is the man that can provide it.
“Remember that day at Punchestown when Al Boum Photo ran out with him at the last? A lot of jockeys would have disappeared for a year after something like that happening in a Grade One.
“Not Paul, he came back the following day and rode four winners, he just forgot about it and put it behind him.
“The best compliment I can pay him is that he just comes in and does his job, when you need him he is always there, he’s a fantastic rider.”
5:43pm Paul Townend finishes as top jockey with four wins and Willie Mullins as top trainer with eight wins.
5:38pm Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle result
1. Air Of Entitlement 10-1
2. Hot Fuss 25-1
3. Jump Allen 8-1
4. Kel Histoire 9-2
5:30pm Air Of Entitlement wins the Martin Pipe for Henry de Bromhead! That seals the Prestbury Cup win for Ireland, 15-13.
Air Of Entitlement makes it successive victories at the Cheltenham Festival with victory in the Martin Pipe 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/ST5o2IBj8w
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 13, 2026
5:25pm They are off at last!
5:20pm False start, of course, in the Martin Pipe.
5:12pm Going into the last race, Ireland lead 14-13 in the Prestbury Cup.
5:05pm James Given, the BHA's director of equine health and welfare, tells Racing TV that Envoi Allen's death was likely due to a cardiovascular collapse.
4:58pm The final race of the day and the festival is the Martin Pipe. It was the saviour of Gordon Elliott last year and he saddles four horses in the face. Willie Mullins' Kel Histoire is the 4/1 favourite.
1. Barton Snow 9/2
2. It's On The Line 7/2
3. Music Drive 33/1
4. Golden Son 16/1
4:49pm AP McCoy calls Henry Crow on Barton Snow the "ride of the festival". He did show great patience.
4:48pm Barton Snow wins the Hunters for Joe O'Shea, holding off favourite It's On The Line.
Barton Snow wins the Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase! 🏆
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 13, 2026
A winner for Henry Crow and Joe O'Shea 👏#ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/F2agwwGQ69
4:41pm They are off in the Hunters' Chase.
4:36pm In the Hunters' Chase, Emmet Mullins' Its On The Line is 7/2, Panda Boy for Martin Brassil is 9/2, and Sam Curling's Wonderwall is 11/2.
4:34pm Harry Redknapp says that The Jukebox Man may have "a wind problem".
4:33pm Easily forgot but there are still two races to run. The Hunters' Chase is next at 4:40pm.
4:29pm "Travelled well," Matt Chapman says to Sean Bowen, jockey of long-time Gold Cup leader Haiti Couleurs. "No, Matt. Flat as a pancake."
4:24pm Awful news now that Envoi Allen, trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe is in the Gold Cup, has died.
4:18pm After looking like he was about to get detached from the field at one stage, defending champion Inothewayurthinkin runs a great race to finish third.
4:18pm Some worrying news that Envoi Allen collapsed after the race and the screens are up.
"That's not keen for Gaelic Warrior " 😅
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 13, 2026
Paul Townend can't believe it. WHAT A PERFORMANCE.#ITVRacing | @WillieMullinsNH | @PTownend pic.twitter.com/Sor7YLGOon
4:12pm Willie Mullins calls Gaelic Warrior's performance "extraordinary". Mullins is now the joint most successful Gold Cup trainer ever. Owner Rich Ricci says he's been crying since the second last fence. "We've been trying to win this race for 21 years."
1. Gaelic Warrior 11/4
2. Jango Baie 11/4
3. Inothewayurthinkin 11/1
Wow!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 13, 2026
Gaelic Warrior, all class in the @Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup! 👏 pic.twitter.com/3mq2yTF0yX
4:08pm Paul Townend is now the most successful jockey in Gold Cup history with five wins. "I always say they just get better and better," the Corkman says about his latest Gold Cup win. "It was just a matter of not falling off him going up the straight," he adds about Gaelic Warrior's performance.
4:07pm Gaelic Warrior wins the Gold Cup! Another win for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins. Long time leader Haiti Couleurs fell off the lead with two to jump.
4:03pm Haiti Couleurs leads with 14 fences to jump. Defending champion Inothewayurthinkin is becoming detached at the back.
4:00pm They flag is up and they are off in the Gold Cup despite being way off the tape.
3:57pm "The most exciting Gold Cup we've had in 20 years," says AP McCoy.
3:54pm "I'm confident he's going to acquit himself well. It's the biggest race he's ever ran in," says Haiti Couleurs trainer Rebecca Ferguson. He's around 6/1.
3:49pm Surprise Premier League management news here as Harry Redknapp tells ITV he would take the Spurs job if offered. "I doubt it'll happen."
3:45pm Gaelic Warrior is Ruby Walsh's selection for the Gold Cup.
"I can’t guarantee you Gaelic Warrior or Jango Baie will stay either, but in my opinion, both will," Ruby wrote in his Irish Examiner column.
"I know they are both Arkle Chase winners, but neither has struck me as a two-mile chaser, and both have always looked like extreme trips might suit them better. Both jump well and possess the pace to travel at the required speed, and while Jang Baie looks the more straightforward, it's Gaelic Warrior I prefer."
3:41pm Willie Mullins' Gaelic Warrior heads the market at around 11/4, maybe 3/1 if you shop around. Nicky Henderson's Jango Baie is 10/3 while Ben Pauling's The Jukebox Man, owned by 'Arry Redknapp, is 4/1.
3:39pm Here we go. The Gold Cup, the big race of the week is up next at 4pm.
3.37pm Right, that's all from me. I'll pass the reins onto the bigger horse racing expert PJ Browne for the big one. Best of luck.
Proper National Hunt celebrations (and weather) 🌧️#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/W9ijRUzrzf
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 13, 2026
Johnny’s Jury (G Sheehan) 20-1
Fruit De Mer (Sean Flanagan) 28-1
The Passing Wife (Keith Donoghue) 11-1
22 ran. Also: 9-4 Fav Doctor Steinberg, 14-1 Mondoui’boy 4th
Jockey Gavin Sheehan gets thrown off his horse soon after the finish, and ITV leave him to help Johnny’s Jury settle down.
Prestbury Cup update, Ireland 13 Great Britain 12.
Almost time for the big one, so here are Ruby Walsh's thoughts on it; "The final day is all about one race".
Close battle for second with the official result to come but there's no doubting the winner.
Johnny's jury wins it with a late surge, 20-1!
No they're not, false start.
And they're off in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Here is Nicky English speaking ahead of the race.
"Nicky was overrated!" 😆
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 13, 2026
Hurling royalty present at Cheltenham Festival - Nicky English, winner of six All-Star awards 👏#ITVRacing | @officialgaa pic.twitter.com/cSu0pOCwHU
Market movers in the Novices' Hurdle
Espresso Milan 16/1 into 12/1)
Jalon Doudairies (20/1 into 14/1)
Nicky English interviewed before his horse runs with lots of jokes about how they won't know who he is in Britain. But AP McCoy remembers him well for his goal in the 1989 All-Ireland final against his county Antrim.
JP McManus reflects on another victory below.
"What more can I say, I'm just very happy" 😁
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 13, 2026
It's another Cheltenham Festival win for J P McManus 🟢🟡 pic.twitter.com/WOqkjrJMx4
Right, onto the next one and here is what the bookies are thinking for the 3.20pm Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Doctor Steinberg – 3/1
Thedeviluno – 6/1
The Passing Wife – 9/1
Moneygarrow – 14/1
Mondouiboy – 14/1
Spinningayarn – 16/1
Espresso Milan – 16/1
Kings Bucks – 16/1
Jalon Doudairies – 16/1
Kazansky – 18/1
Bar 18/1.
Here's a reminder of this morning's breaking news from Darren Norris; Spillane’s Tower is a non-runner in Friday’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase.
“She never missed a beat, maybe jumped the last ditch a bit early but I didn’t want to disappoint her. She’s a fair mare now. She’s won on heavy ground but she loves good, fast ground. This was ideal for her.”
1st. Dinoblue 11-8 (fav)
2nd. Only by night 11-1
3rd. Panic attack 11-4
Dinoblue wins it to retain her crown. Pretty straight forward really. Official result to come but jockey Mark Walshs hails his horse, which is being described as a "winning machine." Another win for JP McManus.
Andrew Horgan here to talk you through the next hour or so. I hope to bring good luck. Unlikely though.
And if you missed it, Willie Mullins' confirmation as the 2026 Festival's Top Trainer has come.
Top Trainer at the Festival once again! 🤩
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 13, 2026
Still six races to be run but Willie Mullins cannot be caught... 👏 pic.twitter.com/8hhWxt8mO6
Dinoblue – 11/8
Panic Attack – 3/1
Spindleberry – 5/1
July Flower – 6/1
Only By Knight – 9/1
Telepathique – 40/1
Piper Park – 80/1
All The Glory – 100/1
NR – Diva Luna
And the full result from the County:
1 - Wilful (Jonjo O’Neill Jr) 14-1
2 - Sticktotheplan (S Bowen) 25-1
3 - Joyeuse (N de Boinville) 12-1
4 - Cracking Rhapsody (Craig Nichol) 50-1
"It really has been a week of dreams" 👏
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 13, 2026
A J & Jonjo O'Neill can't hide their delight 😃 pic.twitter.com/BDMe1a2XeN
Jonjo O’Neill Jr: “I really fancied him, it’s great for the family and the yard. It’s so hard to win here, and when you haven’t got many bullets to fire, you have to take your chances. I’ve had quite a troubled year, and I’ve had a lot of support from my family.”
Ooh Betty and Wilful lead the 22-strong field coming up to the last.
They're off!
Here's Ruby Walsh's take on the County:
"To the surprise of many, Paul Townend opted for Karbeau over Murcia. That decision was probably made on the forecast rain, which is more likely to change the ground and inconvenience Murcia, but if that rain doesn't come, then he could well be on the wrong one.
"Absurde has to shoulder plenty of weight, but he has been in really good form of late and shouldn’t be discounted."
Karbau – 4/1
Sinnatra – 5/1
Secret Squirrel – 8/1
Joyeuse – 9/1
Wilful – 11/1
Murcia – 11/1
Sixandahalf – 12/1
Tellherthename – 14/1
Hello Neighbour – 14/1
Bowensonfire – 16/1
BAR 16/1
NR – Hamlets Night
"You are entitled to come across once you're clear, but Harry Skelton wasn't clear" 👀
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 13, 2026
Ruby Walsh analyses the Triumph Hurdle race finish ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xBBcnEqVxT
"Go on my son," Willie Mullins laughs.
He says they expected a circus at the start but they got off okay and he was pleased to see Apolon dig in and 'win the race for a second time' at the last.
“We thought the start would be a circus, and it was actually a very good start. I didn’t give Patrick any instructions, but he looked the best placed of all my runners. [Apolon De Charnie] had to win it for a second time … a lot of horses take fright at Cheltenham, but he didn’t," he said.
Interesting stuff from a breathless Patrick Mullins on ITV.
"He was fantastic," he says. "He's not very big, he just caught my eye."
"I'm very proud of my father, I've never seen him doubt himself so much as this winter but he sticks to his guns and he gets it right most of the time."
Willie Mullins does it again -- the fifth on the trot -- with Patrick in the saddle of the 50-1 shot.
And they're off first time! Never in doubt.
The horses are ready to go - let's hope they got off without any fuss this time.
Just the runners for Willie Mullins in this one; let's see if he wins this renewal, as last year.
Almost time then for the first of the day, the Triumph Hurdling, here are your runners and riders.
Highland Crystal – 4/1
Selma De Vary – 5/1
Proactif – 5/1
Maestro Conti – 6/1
Minella Study – 6/1
Macho Man – 14/1
Minella Academy – 18/1
North Shore – 20/1
Apolon De Charnie – 22/1
Mon Creuset – 25/1
Colm Greaves circles three things we'll learn today, and covers the evidently important topics of the horses' names, like that of Inothewayurthinkin.
"Arguably, Gavin Cromwell’s stable star has yet to fully capture the imagination and affection normally afforded to an Irish Gold Cup winner. This could be down to his unpredictability on the track but there could also be the fact that his name is an unpunctuated, misspelt sentence. It will be interesting to see if warmer familiarity develops if he manages to win again this afternoon."
Triffic. ITV have Harry Redknapp hanging out the driver's door of his car for a preview VT.
The Jukebox Man carries his hopes in the showpiece today.
'Has Sir Alex won the Gold Cup?' he asks rhetorically.
Who's still with us? From starting issues, ground complaints and some funny old results, it's been an... up and down week for jockeys, trainers, punters and racing fans. But it's the big one as we strap in for Gold Cup day. Giddy up.
Darren Norris is out on the track and sends this insightful horse-by-horse run-through of the Gold Cup.
The Gold Cup at 4pm is the pinnacle of our sport, says Ruby.
The Irish challenge has dominated recently, but Darren expects that to end today, with Jango Baie his fancy.
Or will it be a triffic afternoon for Harry Redknapp, whose King George winner The Jukebox Man is among the fancies?
1.20 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
2.00 County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
2.40 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)
3.20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.00 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
4.40 Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
5.20 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
Here's today's chat with Brendan and Ruby, where our man reveals his biggest Cheltenham regret.
Latest score: Ireland 11 Britain 10
