The major springtime festivals may be some way off when the National Hunt campaign kicks off in October each year, but the early season provides a steady stream of highlights, consisting of Graded contests and big field handicap affairs. Falling into the latter category is this event, which takes place at the home of the National Hunt game in November.
Making its debut at Cheltenham in 1960, the Paddy Power Gold Cup is one of the most popular betting heats of the Autumn months. Open to runners aged four years and older and held over a trip of 2m4½f around the Old Course, the contest demands speed, stamina, and the ability to safely navigate the 16 fences standing between the runners and a share of the £160,000 (2023) in total prize money.
Variously known as the Mackeson Gold Cup, the Murphy’s Gold Cup, the Thomas Pink Gold Cup and the BetVictor Gold Cup over the years, Paddy Power returned for a second stint as sponsor in 2020. Whilst run as a handicap, the race often falls to a horse capable of success at a much higher level, with previous winners including dual Champion Chaser Fortria and subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander.
2023
- 1st – Stage Star 4/1F - Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd – Notlontillmay 7/1 - Jockey: Adam Wedge, Trainer: Laura Morgan
- 3rd – Il Ridoto 12/1 - Jockey: Freddie Gingell, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
2022
- 1st – Ga Law 5/1 - Jockey: Jonathan Burke, Trainer: Jamie Snowden
- 2nd – French Dynamite 5/1 - Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe, Trainer: Mouse Morris
- 3rd – Midnight River 15/2 - Jockey: Harry Skelton, Trainer: Dan Skelton
2021
- 1st – Midnight Shadow 9/1 - Jockey: Ryan Mania, Trainer: Sue Smith
- 2nd – Protektorat 11/2F - Jockey: Harry Skelton, Trainer: Dan Skelton
- 3rd – Lalor 7/1 - Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
2020
- 1st – Coole Cody 10/1 - Jockey: Tom O’Brien, Trainer: Evan Williams
- 2nd – Spiritofthegames 14/1 - Jockey: Harry Skelton, Trainer: Dan Skelton
- 3rd – Al Dancer 5/1F - Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
2019
- 1st – Happy Diva 14/1 - Jockey: Richard Patrick, Trainer: Kerry Lee
- 2nd – Brelan D’As 20/1 - Jockey: Barry Geraghty, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 3rd – Warthog 33/1 - Jockey: David Noonan, Trainer: David Pipe
2018
- 1st – Baron Alco 8/1 - Jockey: Jamie Moore, Trainer: Gary Moore
- 2nd – Frodon 16/1 - Jockey: Bryony Frost, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 3rd – Guitar Pete 12/1 - Jockey: Brian Hughes, Trainer: Nicky Richards
2017
- 1st – Splash Of Ginge 25/1 - Jockey: Tom Bellamy, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
- 2nd – Starchitect 10/1 - Jockey: Tom Scudamore, Trainer: David Pipe
- 3rd – Le Prezien 6/1 - Jockey: Barry Geraghty, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
2016
- 1st – Taquin Du Seuil 8/1 - Jockey: Aidan Coleman, Trainer: Jonjp O’Neill
- 2nd – Village Vic 20/1 - Jockey: Richard Johnson, Trainer: Philip Hobbs
- 3rd – Buywise 12/1 - Jockey: Paul Moloney, Trainer: Evan Williams
2015
- 1st – Annacotty 12/1 - Jockey: Ian Popham, Trainer: Alan King
- 2nd – Buywise 10/1 - Jockey: Paul Moloney, Trainer: Evan Williams
- 3rd – Sound Investment 20/1 - Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
2014
- 1st – Caid Du Berlais 10/1 - Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd – Johns Spirit 8/1 - Jockey: Richie McLernon, Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill
- 3rd – Present View 5/1F - Jockey: Brendan Powell, Trainer: Jamie Snowden