Lesser-spotted Percy 4/1 to land Gold Cup spoils - (2026)

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the focus this afternoon as jump racing’s most coveted prize goes on the line and the enigma that is Presenting Percy bids for an unorthodox success.

The Pat Kelly-trained Irish raider scored in the RSA Chase last March, emphatically securing his second Cheltenham Festival win under Davy Russell.

He has raced only once since and hasn’t jumped a fence in public for a year. It will be one of the most remarkable feats of training should he pull off a Gold Cup win, but his talent means Presenting Percy is the 4/1 favourite with Betfred this morning.

Standing in his way appears to be a stellar cast. Last year’s winner Native River evidently loves Cheltenham, while 2018 runner-up Might Bite looks to get back on track following a tough season, having now undergone wind surgery.

The coming horse, so often the one to be with in a Gold Cup, is King George winner Clan Des Obeaux, who bids to end a decade-long wait for Paul Nicholls in this race.

One man who knows plenty about waiting for Gold Cup glory is Willie Mullins, with the Closutton maestro having trained six runners-up already. He fires four at the target, with Bellshill, Kemboy and 16/1 improver Al Boum Photo all having their merits.

Thistlecrack, stablemate to Native River, ran a stormer in the King George and ensures Colin Tizzard has a big hand to play.

The final day of action gets underway with the Triumph Hurdle, where unbeaten Sir Erec is 5/6 to justify his tag as Ireland’s ‘banker’ of the meeting this year. Joseph O’Brien’s youngster faces his toughest task so far, with the likes of Quel Destin set to ask him questions.

It hasn’t been the week Gordon Elliott was seeking but he also has some big guns still to fire, including Commander Of Fleet, a 13/2 chance to win the Albert Bartlett.

He faces unbeaten hurdler Dickie Diver for Nicky Henderson and Lisnagar Oscar for Rebecca Curtis, the Welsh trainer having won this race before with At Fisher’s Cross.

Elliott has a key player in the Foxhunters’ Chase, where Ucello Conti will look to give Jamie Codd a remarkable third Festival winner this year. British hopes are led here by in-form Hazel Hill, while Pacha Du Polder attempts to win for the third year running.

The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle is now the festival finale and punters may be hoping that Dallas Des Pictons, for last year’s winning trainer Elliott, can land the ‘get-out’ stakes. He has been strongly supported in the betting all week and is the 7/2 clear favourite.

Odds subject to change.