The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious race of the British and Irish jump racing season and the upcoming running promises to be another superb contest.

All being well, last year’s winner Galopin Des Champs will be back for Willie Mullins in an attempt to win the race for the third time in a row – the last horse to achieve that feat being Best Mate in 2004.

Plenty of challengers are rounding into view though, with Fact To File – a stablemate of Galopin Des Champs – the current favourite after a victory in the John Durkan at Punchestown to kickstart his campaign.

With virtually all contenders likely to run over the festive period there will be plenty of change in the market in the coming weeks.

When is the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2025?

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is Friday, March 12 at 4pm. It is the most important race of the four-day Cheltenham festival.

Cheltenham Gold Cup 2025 – the leading contenders

Fact To File (Willie Mullins) 5/2

Won well at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, putting a cherry atop an excellent novice chasing campaign. Back with a bang in the John Durkanm, where he defeated Galopin Des Champs. The pair are set to lock horns again at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Galopin Des Champs (Willie Mullins) 7/2

Back-to-back winner of the race and will be among the favourites again this year if making it to the start line in March. Tasted defeat at Punchestown but often needs a run at the start of the season. Re-match with Fact To File at Leopardstown upcoming.

Spillane’s Tower (James Joseph Mangan) 9/1

Hoovered up a pair of Grade 1 wins in Ireland last season and proved he was a force to be reckoned with when pushing Fact To File all the way in the John Durkan. Engagement over Christmas offer another chance to prove his worth at this level.

Grey Dawning (Dan Skelton) 14/1

A rare British Grade 1 winner at last year’s festival but has since tasted defeat at the top level. Downed by Royal Pagaille in a dour clash in the Betfair Chase but his trainer retains plenty of faith that he has what it takes.

Gerri Colombe (Gordon Elliott) 16/1

Chased home Galopin Des Champs in last year’s Gold Cup but did subsequently hit the mark at the top-level at Aintree. Well beaten at Down Royal at the start of the season and suspicions growing that he might just be a level below some of these.

I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins) 20/1

Made of a mockery of last season’s Grand National but hike in the weights means assignments at higher levels will now be on the agenda. Has Grade 1 novice form in the book and won a Grade 3 last season so he is certainly not without hope.

Inothewayurthinkin (Gavin Cromwell) 20/1

Hacked up in the Kim Muir at last year’s festival before following up in a Grade 1 at Aintree. Has looked a horse of some promise but will need to leave his tame return in the John Durkan behind in the Savills at Leopardstown.

Monty’s Star (Henry De Bromhead) 20/1

A horse of serious talent, who found only Fact To File and Spillane’s Tower too good in Grade 1s last season. Is yet to make his return to action this season and his price will certainly shorten should he produce a decent display.

Corbett’s Cross (Emmet Mullins) 25/1

Another horse who showed immense ability at last year’s festival, running his rivals in the National Hunt Chase ragged. Has come unstuck twice since and will need to show he has what it take to mix it in this company.

Gaelic Warrior (Willie Mullins) 33/1

Won last season’s Arkle over two miles at a canter but has also shown he has potential as a stayer – including a Grade 1 novice hurdle win over three miles. Trainer has a multitude of weapons for this though so the Champion Chase could be his race.

Hewick (Miss Tara Lee Cogan) 33/1

His win in the King George was one of the stories of last season but has failed to record a win in six starts since, though his reappearance showed promise. Missed last year’s festival and needs decent ground to be seen at his best.

Il Est Francais (Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm) 33/1

A complete enigma. Produced maybe the jumps performance of the season in the Kauto Star at Kempton last season and fluctuated between brilliant and woeful since. A risky yet enticing betting proposition.

Royal Pagaille (Venetia Williams) 33/1

If the Gold Cup were run on soft ground at Haydock then he would be a single-figure price. However, it is not and thus he faces an uphill battle to be competitive in a race in which he has never finished better than fifth.

L’Homme Presse (Venetia Williams) 40/1

Ran a commendable race in last year’s Gold Cup, finishing fourth behind Galopin Des Champs. Has not yet been seen this season and current price is emblematic of the lack of quality British contender for the race.

Cheltenham Gold Cup course guide

The Cheltenham Gold Cup in run on the New Course at Cheltenham Racecourse. While the Old Course suits quicker horses who like to sit close to the pace, the New Course presents a much stiffer test of stamina with a longer, more testing run-in up the hill.

This does not count out front-runners in a Gold Cup but it does mean horses have more time to utilise stamina late in races.

Last year’s winner – who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2024?

Last year’s race was won by the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs, who became a back-to-back winner of the race.

What is the prize-money for the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

The total prize-fund for the race is £625,000, with £351,687 going to the winner. After that the second will receive £132,500, the third £66,312, the fourth £33,125, the fifth £16,625, the sixth £8312, the seventh £4125 and the eighth £2125.

Ticket prices and how to get them

Club tickets for Gold Cup day will cost £117.90, with Tattersalls tickets available from £84.60. A ticket for the Best Mate enclosure will set you back £67.50. Multi-buy options are available for all ticket types.

Tickets can be purchase from https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham.