2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National: Previous winners and new threats
As the 2026 National Hunt season builds momentum, anticipation is already sky-high for two of the most iconic showpieces in British horse racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National. Punters and enthusiasts alike are eagerly scanning the early betting lines for the Grand National and Cheltenham, with plenty of familiar names and rising stars jostling for attention.
After a dramatic 2025 campaign that delivered stunning upsets and dominant performances, the 2026 renewals promise a captivating blend of redemption, rivalry, and fresh challenges, ideal territory for those studying the latest horse racing bets.
Inothewayurthinkin: The Gold Cup’s new king
Few stories captured the 2025 Cheltenham Festival quite like Inothewayurthinkin’s unforgettable Gold Cup triumph. Supplemented for £25,000 just days before the race, the Gavin Cromwell-trained seven-year-old defied the odds and produced a career-defining performance. Under Mark Walsh, he surged up the famous Cheltenham hill to beat dual champion Galopin Des Champs by six lengths, confirming himself as a serious force in the staying chase division.
As the 2026 Gold Cup looms, Inothewayurthinkin will face the stern challenge of defending his crown against a formidable field. He’s already proven his stamina, jumping, and temperament on the biggest stage, but repeating the feat is notoriously difficult. Only a handful of horses have ever managed back-to-back Gold Cups, and his rivals are lining up with intent.
Fact To File – The favourite to dethrone the champion
Heading the ante-post market at 10/1 is Fact To File, one of Willie Mullins’ brightest prospects. His breathtaking nine-length demolition in the 2025 Ryanair Chase showcased his blend of tactical speed and stamina, suggesting he may thrive over the Gold Cup’s extended distance. Having already won the 2024 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, Fact To File is no stranger to Cheltenham’s undulating test. If he stays the extra trip, he could be the horse to beat, and his progression through the ranks makes him an exciting focus for those studying horse racing bets ahead of March 2026.
Galopin Des Champs – The comeback king?
Despite surrendering his Gold Cup crown in 2025, Galopin Des Champs remains one of the most accomplished chasers in training. His response at Punchestown, where he romped home by 22 lengths, proved that class is permanent. However, history is against him, only Kauto Star has ever regained the Gold Cup after losing it. At nine years old in 2026, he’ll be entering veteran territory, but with Willie Mullins and Paul Townend at the helm, dismissing him would be unwise.
Gaelic Warrior – The wild card
Rich Ricci-owned Mullins runner, Gaelic Warrior, brings flair and unpredictability. The 2024 Arkle winner has endured mixed fortunes since, but his Grade 1 tally and natural ability suggest he could emerge as a serious dark horse. If connections get his preparation right, he could inject fresh intrigue into an already compelling Gold Cup narrative.
Nick Rockett and the 2026 Grand National battle
If the Gold Cup crowned a new champion, the 2025 Grand National at Aintree delivered a fairytale. At odds of 33/1, Nick Rockett stunned the racing world with a sensational victory under amateur jockey Patrick Mullins, giving Willie Mullins yet another memorable success. The eight-year-old surged clear over the final fence to defeat I Am Maximus, the 2024 winner, by two and a half lengths, completing a remarkable Mullins 1-2-3.
However, retaining the National is perhaps the toughest assignment in racing. With a crowded field and unforgiving fences, even proven stayers struggle to repeat their success at Aintree.
Haiti Couleurs – The rising star
Haiti Couleurs has all the hallmarks of a modern Grand National contender. Trained by Rebecca Curtis, he dominated the 2025 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and followed up with an emphatic victory in the Irish Grand National. His stamina and rhythm over marathon trips mark him as a leading player, and Curtis’s bold ambition to target both the Gold Cup and National underscores her confidence in his ability.
I Am Maximus – The veteran challenger
The 2024 champion came agonisingly close to doubling up in 2025, finishing a gallant second under top weight. Now 10, I Am Maximus will again carry a heavy burden, but his proven Aintree record and toughness ensure he remains a danger. Few horses take to the National fences as naturally as he does.
Iroko and Jagwar – Value in the shadows
Iroko, fourth in the 2025 National, continues to improve for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. With another year of maturity and experience, he looks a strong each-way prospect. Meanwhile, Jagwar, who impressed with a Festival win in the Plate, has the right stamina profile for Aintree and could emerge as one of the season’s big improvers.
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The 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National promise storylines rich with redemption, rivalry, and potential history-making feats. Whether Inothewayurthinkin can defend his Gold Cup crown, or Nick Rockett can defy Aintree’s odds again, remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the early betting lines for the Grand National and Cheltenham are alive with intrigue, offering fans and punters alike the perfect stage to test their insight on the season’s most prestigious horse racing bets.
