Cheltenham betting: 2026 Gold Cup contenders and tip

In the eyes of many, the main event of Cheltenham betting across the whole festival is Friday's Gold Cup, which Coral has provided a tip for.

Coral's Gold Cup 2026 tip

The race of the week, this is the one we have all been waiting for; the Cheltenham Gold Cup. to win this race, horses need to be good jumpers, solid stayers, and have a will to win. 

One such horse could be The Jukebox Man, who was so impressive to win the King George in a tight finish at odds of 8/1. With his trainer Ben Pauling having such a strong season, he ought to have just a good a chance here. A game horse, he should have everything he needs to pull this off. 

Gaelic Warrior, though, will not be easy to beat. The joint favourite for that same King George, he was second last time at Leopardstown behind Fact To File, probably minded to a certain extent so as not to give him too hard a race on the run up to this. An incredibly consistent horse, he could win this back for Willie Mullins. 

Jango Baie cannot be forgotten for Nicky Henderson. Just half a length behind The Jukebox Man in the King George, this horse is very well thought of and rated just a pound below the King George winner. New to three-mile chasing, a career best is needed, but he can be believed to do it.

Haiti Couleurs, the Welsh National winner who followed that win up with an even more impressive success in the Denman Chase, will find this harder and may prefer softer ground to make it even more of a stamina test.