While not always the most reliable trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the horses that fought out the finish in the King George VI Chase dominated the 2026 market. The Jukebox Man landed the spoils at Kempton and was fancied to go well in the colours of Harry Redknapp. However, it was the third and fourth from the Boxing Day showpiece who started as joint favourites.
Following the withdrawal of Galopin Des Champs, King George third Gaelic Warrior was the sole Willie Mullins entry. Never out of the first two in three Cheltenham Festival appearances, he stormed to success by over eight lengths in the 2024 Arkle Chase on his most recent appearance. A dual winner over three miles or more, including in the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl, he warmed up for this with a second-place finish in the Irish Gold Cup. The step up to 3m2f was a slight question, but the mount of Paul Townend boasted sound claims.
One year younger than Gaelic Warrior, Jango Baie also had an Arkle Chase win on his CV, having come from last to first to win the 2025 edition of the two-mile event. Yet to race beyond three miles, he also had stamina to prove, but hinted that a step up in distance may suit when going down by just half a length in the King George.
The Rebecca Curtis-trained Haiti Couleurs flew the flag for Wales as he sought to add to a record which already included wins in the National Hunt Chase, Irish Grand National, and Welsh National. With three wins over 3m5f, he had no concerns in the stamina department, but his only previous Grade 1 outing resulted in a pulled-up effort in the Betfair Chase.
Inothewayurthinkin arrived as the defending champion and carried the hopes of Gavin Cromwell and JP McManus. Well below his best in three outings in 2025/26, hopes hinged on the springtime weather and a return to the scene of his finest hour, sparking a revival.
Standout names among the other contenders included Grey Dawning, who sought to cap a fine season for Dan Skelton, and the remarkable Envoi Allen, who was making an eighth Festival appearance at 12 years of age. Irish Gold Cup fourth and French challenger Gold Tweet rounded out the field.
Result
- 1st – Gaelic Warrior 11/4J, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd – Jango Baie 11/4J, Jockey: Nico de Boinville, Trainer: Nicky Henderson
- 3rd – Inothewayurthinkin 11/1, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £351,687.50
- 2nd – £132,500
- 3rd – £66,312.50
- 4th – £33,125
- 5th – £16,625
- 6th – £8,312.50
- 7th – £4,125
- 8th – £2,125
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £3.75
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.50, 2nd – £1.50, 3rd – £2.50
- Exacta – £10.10
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £10.36
- Trifecta – £81.70
- Tricast – £68.98
Recap
Often keen during his races, Gaelic Warrior broke alertly but accepted the restraint of Paul Townend to take a nice early position on the inside rail. The Jukebox Man led over the first, closely followed by Grey Dawning.
Having been expected to make the running, Haiti Couleurs stuck to the script when moving across from his wide position to take the lead as the runners headed into the back straight for the first time. Gaelic Warrior, Grey Dawning, and The Jukebox Man made up the next wave of three, followed by Jango Baie, with a small gap back to the rest. Inothewayurthinkin was slow at a couple of his fences and brought up the rear in the early stages.
There was little change in the order as the field approached what would be the last in a circuit’s time. Haiti Couleurs continued to bowl along in front and had moved a length clear of nearest pursuers Jango Baie, The Jukebox Man, and Grey Dawning. Gaelic Warrior sat in a close fifth, with a gap back to Gold Tweet, who led the second group of five. Inothewayurthinkin was ridden, and had work to do at this stage.
Sean Bowen asked for more from Haiti Couleurs in the back straight as the field began to string out. Grey Dawning sat second but produced a couple of minor jumping errors. The Jukebox Man, Gaelic Warrior, and Jango Baie were all prominent and moving well.
A jarring error at the fourth last appeared to knock the stuffing out of Haiti Couleurs. The Welsh star battled on but found himself dropping back through the pack approaching the penultimate obstacle.
The Jukebox Man, Jango Baie, and Grey Dawning moved past the long-time leader but were ridden to do so. In contrast, Gaelic Warrior cruised serenely into contention under a motionless Paul Townend.
The writing was on the wall in the straight and Gaelic Warrior soon showed that he had as much up his sleeve as it appeared. Jumping the last in splendid isolation, he sauntered clear to post a stunning eight-length success. Jango Baie stuck on for second, while Inothewayurthinkin belatedly got his act together to take third.
It was a brilliant fifth Gold Cup win for the Willie Mullins and Paul Townend partnership. Mullins moved level with Tom Dreaper in the all-time trainers table, while Townend edged clear of Pat Taaffe to become the most successful jockey in the history of the race. This was also a landmark result for owners Rich and Susannah Ricci, who won the Cheltenham Festival showpiece for the first time.
All in all, this was a memorable Gold Cup, but one which had a tragic postscript. Successful three times at the Cheltenham Festival and due to head into retirement after this swansong, Envoi Allen collapsed and died on the way back to the stables.
Runners
- 1. Envoi Allen – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
- 2. Firefox – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Jack Kennedy
- 3. Gaelic Warrior – SP: 11/4J, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend
- 4. Gold Tweet – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Gabriel Leenders, Jockey: Clement Lefebvre
- 5. Grey Dawning – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton
- 6. Haiti Couleurs – SP: 6/1, Trainer: Rebecca Curtis, Jockey: Sean Bowen
- 7. Inothewayurthinkin – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Jockey: Mark Walsh
- 8. Jango Baie – SP: 11/4J, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Nico de Boinville
- 9. L’Homme Presse – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Venetia Williams, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
- 10. Spillane’s Tower – Non-Runner
- 11. The Jukebox Man – SP: 7/2, Trainer: Ben Pauling, Jockey: Ben Jones
Non-Runners
All ran.