With just a fortnight to go before the runners go under starters’ orders in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the best of the British and Irish yards are making their final Cheltenham Festival preparations. If recent evidence is any guide, the home team may struggle to emerge from the shadow of Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead and co. However, there is just a little more positivity than usual among the British yards this year.
While reclaiming the Prestbury Cup for the first time since 2015 looks a tall order, the hosts have strong claims in many of the biggest races. British runners head the market in the opening events of the Supreme Novices Hurdle and Arkle Chase and have further excellent chances scattered over the four days. Included among the races where the Brits feature prominently at the head of the market is the biggest one of all – the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Seven years have passed since Native River mastered Might Bite in an all-British conclusion to the 2018 Gold Cup. Since then, the Irish have claimed the prize as their own, thanks to four wins for Willie Mullins, two for Henry De Bromhead, and one for Gavin Cromwell. That trio of trainers are represented among the current entries, but, refreshingly, home hopes occupy three of the first five positions in the market.
Jango Jumps to Head of Market
First taking out a licence in 1978, Nicky Henderson waited 33 years before claiming a first Cheltenham Gold Cup with Long Run in 2011. Like buses, a second came almost immediately, with Bobs Worth taking the trophy back to Seven Barrows in 2013. Henderson has come close since, with Might Bite finishing second in 2018 and Santini going down by just a neck to Al Boum Photo in 2020. Could this be the year the 75-year-old claims the prize for a third time?
The betting suggests that Henderson may well be celebrating shortly after 4pm on Friday, 13 March. Lying behind only Fact To File with some bookies (who still needs to be supplemented for the race), Jango Baie is the shortest-priced British runner among the current entries. It isn’t hard to see why punters have latched onto his claims. A perfect two from two at Cheltenham, he filled in for the absent Sir Gino to claim a thrilling edition of the Arkle Chase in 2025. Expected to fare even better when stepped up in trip, he confirmed that impression when strolling to a nine-length success in the Grade 2 1965 Chase on his seasonal return.
While defeated on his most recent outing, the seven-year-old only enhanced his claims when finishing a close fourth in a vintage renewal of the King George VI Chase. Only going down by ½l in that Kempton contest, the stiffer finish and additional distance at Cheltenham may see him go a few places better.
Unbeaten Jukebox to Play Another Winning Tune
Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man couldn’t quite manage to get his head in front in three Grade 1 outings over hurdles, including when losing out by a head in the 2024 edition of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. However, he immediately grasped the winning thread when sent over fences, and he has yet to let go.
| Date | Race | Course | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29/11/24 | John Francome Novices’ Chase | Newbury | 1st |
| 26/12/24 | Kauto Star Novices’ Chase | Kempton | 1st |
| 22/11/25 | Graduation Chase | Haydock | 1st |
| 26/12/25 | King George VI Chase | Kempton | 1st |
Sporting the silks of Harry Redknapp, the eight-year-old is a perfect four from four over the larger obstacles, including Grade 1 victories at Newbury and Kempton. That latter success, of course, came in the King George VI Chase when showing guts and class to master Banbridge, Gaelic Warrior, and Jango Baie in an epic conclusion to the festive highlight.
King George winners don’t have the strongest recent record in the Gold Cup, with the incomparable Kauto Star the last to complete the double in the same season back in 2008/09. That said, The Jukebox Man’s brilliant jumping will stand him in good stead, and the manner in which he found more when challenged at Kempton suggests he may cope with the 2f step up in trip.
Haiti to Win It for Wales
Heading into the 2026 edition, Welsh-trained runners have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup only once. Very few punters saw that success coming, with Norton’s Coin landing the 1990 edition at odds of 100/1 for Sirrel Griffiths. A Welsh success this year wouldn’t be anything like as surprising.
Hailing from the Pembrokeshire yard of Rebecca Curtis, Haiti Couleurs has emerged as a genuine staying-chase superstar over the past couple of seasons. A 4½l winner of the National Hunt Chase at this meeting in 2025, his only defeat since came when pulled up in the Betfair Chase. Too good for the 2025 Irish Grand National field off a mark of 141, he defied 154 to claim the Welsh Grand National in December. Arriving on the back of a 7-length victory in the Denman Chase, he has a similar running style to the Paul Nicholls legend and seems sure to make a bold bid from the front.
With Fact To File, defending champ Inothewayurthinkin, 2023 and 2024 winner Galopin Des Champs, and recent Cotswold Chase winner Spillane’s Tower among the entries, it would be no surprise to see the Irish win an eighth successive Gold Cup. However, with Jango Baie, The Jukebox Man, and Haiti Couleurs in their corner, the Brits won’t go down without a fight in 2026.