Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup Day 2026: Here's what's happening today - all Friday races, Gold Cup odds and prize money
It’s the fourth and final day at one of the biggest events in British horse racing.
The Cheltenham Festival has reached its final day with 9/2 shot Heart Wood winning the big race on St Patrick’s Thursday yesterday, the Ryanair Chase.
Today (Friday) it’s Gold Cup Day at the famous racecourse, with the big race getting underway at 4pm
The Cheltenham Gold Cup was first run in 1924, switching to its current ‘New Course’ location in 1959, and has been won by some famous names over the years, including Kauto Star, Arkle, Best Mate and Denman.
Last year saw 15/2 outsider Inothewayurthinkin - owned by former Manchester United owner J. P. McManus, trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Mark Walsh - run home the winner.
It meant that second placed Galopin Des Champs was denied a hattrick of wins having triumphed in both 2023 and 2024.
This year over 70,000 racing fans are expected to pack into the racecourse, with millions watching on television at home to see whether Inothewayurthinkin can defend his title.
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening at Cheltenham today, Friday, March 13.
When is the Cheltenham Festival?
The Festival takes place from March 10-13, with seven races each day making it the biggest horse racing meeting of the year.
The first race of each day takes place at 1.20pm with the final starting at 5.20pm. A champion race is held each day at 4pm, starting with the Unibet Champion Hurdle on the first day and finishing with the Boodles Gold Cup on day four.
What races are taking place at the Cheltenham Festival today?
Here are all seven races being run on Friday, March 13, and the top three favourites for each.
1.20pm: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
Selma De Vary (4/1), Proactif (9/2), Minella Study (11/2)
2pm: William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
Karbau (7/2), Sinnatra (5/1), Joyeuse (7/1)
2.40pm: Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase (Grade 2)
Dinoblue (2/1), Panic Attack (11/4), Spindleberry (5/1)
3.20pm: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Doctor Steinberg (5/2), Thedeviluno (11/2), The Passing Wife (15/2)
4pm: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
Gaelic Warrior (11/4), The Jukebox Man (10/3), Jango Baie (7/2)
4.40pm: Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase
Its On The Line (9/2), Panda Boy (5/1), Cons Roc (11/2)
5.20pm: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
What are the odds for the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
The biggest race of the day is the Gold Cup which will get started at 4pm. Here’s how the bookies see it.
- Gaelic Warrier - 11/4
- The Jukebox Man - 10/3
- Jango Baie - 7/2
- Haiti Couleurs - 6/1
- Inothewayurthinkin - 9/1
- Grey Dawning
- Spillanes Tower - 16/1
- Firefox - 25/1
- Envoi Allen - 40/1
- LHomme Presse - 50/1
- Gold Tweet - 110/1
Can I watch the Cheltenham Festival on television?
STV will be broadcasting live coverage of the first five races of each day of the festival from 12.45pm to 5pm. You can also catch races on the STV Player streaming platform.
Racing TV, which is available to Sky and Virgin Media customers, will also be providing coverage of the festival.
What's the prize money for the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the the most valuable events in the British racing calendar with a total prize fund of £625,000 and the winner getting a £351,688 payday.
The owner receives 75 per cent of the prize money, with the remaining 25 per cent split between the trainer, the jockey, and stable staff.
How long is the race and how many fences do the horses jump?
The race is run over three miles and two furlongs and features 22 fences. A furlong is roughly 200 metres.
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