Date: Friday (15:05) , March 17, 2023
Type: Grade 1 National Hunt Hurdle Race
Distance: 2 Miles 2 Furlongs
Age Of The Horses: 5 Years Old and Older
Prize: £625,000
With the advent of summer jumping, National Hunt racing isn’t far off being a year-round sport these days. It is in the month of March that the season really reaches a crescendo though with the annual Cheltenham Festival. In 2023, the festival will run from Tuesday 14 March to Friday 17 March. There’s not a bad race to be found at this meeting, but for many, there is one contest which stands above all the rest.
The focus of this article falls on the main attraction, the race punters look forward to and prepare their bets on for months – the Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup. A world-famous Grade 1 with a history that can be traced all the way back to 1924, the list of winners reads like a who’s who of UK and Irish horse racing.
Who will add their name to that exclusive honours roll this year? The following review takes in every aspect of the race important before placing a bet. We look at early favourites in the antepost list, past winners, trends and a betting guide that offers Cheltenham Gold Cup tips and advice before betting on the race. We are already looking forward to Cheltenham Gold Cup day in 2023, and here we have compiled a quick guide to the race, including Cheltenham Gold Cup betting info, Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offers and a look back at those Gold Cup runners and riders to have come out on top in recent years.
It’s Cheltenham Gold Cup time. The National Hunt season is back in full flow and we have some fascinating races to look forward to between now and the end of the campaign. There can be no doubting the standout of the calendar, however, the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the blue riband event in steeplechasing, bringing together the finest staying chasers in Great Britain and Ireland. The legendary Golden Miller won it for a record five consecutive seasons from 1932 to 1936 while the mighty Arkle completed a Gold Cup hat-trick from 1964 to 1966. More recent multiple winners include Best Mate (2002-2004) and Kauto Star (2007 and 2009), the latter becoming the first horse to reclaim the Gold Cup after losing it.
Henry de Bromhead has saddled the first and second for the past two seasons. Minella Indo defeated A Plus Tard in 2021 with the result being emphatically reversed in 2022. Rachael Blackmore rode into the history books when partnering A Plus Tard to a 15 lengths victory and they set the standard in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup 2023.
Among those emerging from the novice ranks are Galopin Des Champs and Ahoy Senor. Willie Mullins trains Galopin Des Champs, a last fence faller at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival when he had the Golden Miller Novices’ Chase wrapped up. He made amends at Fairyhouse on his final start. Ahoy Senor ended his novice campaign with a 5 lengths win in a Grade 1 at Aintree and could be the best hope for British-based trainers in a race they have not won since Native River in 2018.
A Plus Tard is priced at a general 4-1 to repeat his 2022 Gold Cup victory. Henry de Bromhead has given him a light campaign in each of the last three seasons and there is no reason for him to change a winning formula. The Betfair Chase at Haydock and the Savills Chase are likely to figure in his plans for this season with all roads leading to the defence of his Cheltenham crown in March.
For supporters of ante-post favourite Galopin Des Champs, there must be a doubt about his ultimate Cheltenham target. His bold jumping, front-running style would make the shorter Ryanair Chase a possible alternative, although Trainer Willie Mullins already has two-time winner Allaho in that event. He has won over three miles over hurdles and clearly stays an extended two and a half miles over fences.
Ahoy Senor must be on the short list after his progressive form as a novice for Lucinda Russell. He showed his inexperience at times, notably when beaten by Bravemansgame at Kempton on Boxing Day. He was not entirely fluent when second to L’Homme Presse in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham but reversed that form with a stylish win at Aintree in April.
Besides the favourite, Willie Mullins will be hoping to get 2021 Brown Advisory winner Monkfish back on the Gold Cup trail. He also has National Hunt Chase winner Stattler among his possible Cheltenham Gold Cup horses, a clear-cut winner of that marathon event who looks capable of stepping up to Grade 1 level.
Just the same as any Cheltenham race, you can be sure that online bookmakers have Gold Cup betting offers for all customers. From offering early non-runner no bet terms in the ante post markets to extra places on the day, there will be promotions galore on the blue riband event of steeplechases. Cheltenham Gold Cup 2023 offers also include the best odds guaranteed once final declarations are made and the big day – Friday, 17 March – comes around. As defending champ Al Boum Photo has won the race twice before, don’t be surprised if he features in a new customer welcome bonus special deal provided by certain sportsbooks to attract fresh business. The bookies know that wider public attention falls on the Festival. That is why all of the great Cheltenham Gold Cup offers you will find listed below exist.
Those looking to get involved early in the Gold Cup 2023 betting – or indeed the festival in general -should keep an eye out for the non runner no bet offer. Often available from as early as January, this takes the risk out of ante post betting. Unlike with a standard ante post bet, a bet under the non runner no bet conditions means you will receive your stake back should your selection not be amongst the Gold Cup runners in 2023 on the day of the race.
Other than non runner no bet, what else can we expect? Well if past festivals are anything to go by, we should be in for a deluge of money back specials, enhanced odds and free bets surrounding the Cheltenham Gold Cup race. Be sure to check out our Cheltenham Betting Offers page for the full details of all those sportsbook promotions as the event approaches and the attention of the racing world turns ever more to the horses running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
When a race is as popular and so high profile as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, one thing you can be sure of is that it will attract its fair share of interest from the bookies in terms of special offers and promotions. That can only be a good thing for punters when looking at the Cheltenham Gold Cup betting in 2023. The Cheltenham Festival is a good time of the year for offers in general, but there will likely be a number of specials available specifically related to the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2023 betting markets.
Many shrewd backers like to place their trust in the stats and trends when making a Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup bet. Looking through the form and figures to pick out successful trainers, horses, jockeys, owners, age of winners and anything else that seems relevant. Do your research and you’ll often stumble across a bet worth having. Below you’ll find some of the popular trends that could prove useful when deciding which runner to back with your hard-earned cash.
It may not be the richest jumps race of the year – although with £600,000+ on offer, the prize money is not to be sniffed at – but there is little doubt that in terms of quality the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the very best National Hunt event of the season. Run over a stamina sapping 3m2½f, with 22 fences to be safely negotiated, it is a contest which really lends itself to drama and heroic performances. A race isn’t born with the reputation and prestige bestowed upon the Cheltenham Gold Cup though.
These things comes with time and are largely down to the equine stars to have etched their names onto the list of previous Cheltenham Gold Cup winners. The likes of Arkle, Desert Orchid, Best Mate, Denman and Kauto Star were all horses whose fame transcended the sport, and all were amongst the greatest winners in Cheltenham Gold Cup history.
From a betting angle it is also one of the events which most preoccupies the minds of punters, with talk of possible Cheltenham Gold Cup horses and Gold Cup betting cropping up from an early stage. So when is the Cheltenham Gold Cup? And what is the Gold Cup race time? Always run as the feature race on the Cheltenham day 4, Friday 17th March at 3:30pm is the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2023 date for the diary.
Anyone looking to buy into the excitement of a Cheltenham Gold Cup bet will certainly be spoilt for choice when it comes to where to take their business. We can’t think of many – if any – bookmakers who don’t offer betting on one of the most famous horse races in the world. So how to choose between them? Well, there are a few things to consider:
Research is a key piece of advice when betting on the Prestbury Park action. Read as many industry interviews as you can concerning the race and your chosen horse. Get the thoughts of the trainer and owner. Check recent results at course and distance, find out the form of the trainer and research the likely jockey. The more ammo you have to beat the bookie the better. You should also seek out Cheltenham Gold Cup 2023 tips.
One of the key things to look for when weighing up your options is an excellent existing reputation. This is where review sites can come in particularly useful. Highlighting the pros and cons of a site, they will give a good idea as to the type of customer experience you can expect, as well as helping you steer clear of any providers who may have regulatory or security issues.
The main product of a bookmaker is the odds that they offer. Clearly as a customer you would like these odds to be amongst the best and most competitive available. Odds comparison websites are an excellent guide as to how the various firms measure up.
Promotions are offered by all major bookmakers now and there will be no lack of deals and offers when it comes to Cheltenham. It will be worth checking the promos page of your online bookmaker in the run up to the festival to see what you can get. This may include free bets and enhanced odds. Keep an eye out for the Cheltenham Gold Cup betting offers.
Having placed those Cheltenham bets, you are most likely to want to watch the action unfold. There are many sportsbooks which offer a live streaming service on the Cheltenham Festival, so be sure your selected bookie ticks this box if this feature is high on your wish list. Live streaming is an exciting new feature offered by online betting firms which allows you to watch all the races at Cheltenham at no extra cost. This is done through an HD quality live stream sent directly to your desktop computer, mobile phone or tablet device. Never again will you be forced to miss the action, even if you are forced into a sneak peek at work.
Antepost betting allows backers to predict which horses will run in the Gold Cup and act early to secure a better price. The risk is your selection may go in another race and you won’t get a run for your stake money. Weigh up the risk vs the reward. If you believe your pick will run in the race and has a good chance of winning, it’s worth backing it antepost to get the best value possible.
Each and every year the Cheltenham Gold Cup never fails to provide one of the most abiding memories of the whole Cheltenham Festival. Here we provide a Cheltenham Gold Cup review from the past two editions of the race.
A Plus Tard – 2022
Minella Indo – 2021
Al Boum Photo – 2020
Al Boum Photo – 2019
Native River – 2018
Sizing John – 2017
Don Cossack – 2016
Coneygree – 2015
Lord Windermere – 2014
Bobs Worth – 2013
Synchronised – 2012
Long Run – 2011
Imperial Commander – 2010
Irish-trained horses dominated the Cheltenham Gold Cup betting in 2022 with the first five in the market. Favourite was A Plus Tard, a runaway winner of the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November but beaten a short-head by Galvin in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown. The winner was slashed from 16-1 after that success and started 100-30 second favourite.
2021 Gold Cup winner Minella Indo had been slightly disappointing in his trials but had already shown himself to be a Cheltenham specialist. He remained a steady 7-1 chance to defend his crown while two-time winner Al Boum Photo was 6-1 to gain a third Gold Cup success. Dan Skelton’s Protektorat was the shortest priced British-trained runner at 10-1.
As the early leaders dropped away, it was clear that the De Bromhead duo would again figure prominently but Rachael Blackmore was going much the best on A Plus Tard. Minella Indo was leading at the second last but had no answer to A Plus Tard who surged clear, leaving Protektorat to plug on for third ahead of the staying-on Galvin.
Cheltenham Gold Cup 2022 Results
11 horses ran. Winner owned by Cheveley Park Stud, trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore.
The 2019 Gold Cup was won by Al Boum Photo for Wullie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend on Friday 15 March.
The champion was sent off as a 12/1 shot, showing traders were unsure over how he was going to perform against a talented field over the 3m 2f distance on ground that was described as good to soft.
He took to the challenge wonderfully, beating off competition from Barry Geraghty’s Anibale Fly to win the race by 2 ½ lengths, sprinting to the finish line, making a real statement to the packed stands and viewers watching the live TV action around the world. He was a clear and deserving winner, gaining a solid lead going over the last and sticking to his task to cross the line unchallenged.
Al Boum Photo showed his class that day – performing best of the Cheltenham Gold Cup runners that year – but he also proved he’s a horse with plenty of fight and that will be remembered by backers who will be only too happy to give him another go. Those who had him backed last year are now playing with profits on this horse and he owes them nothing.
The 2018 edition saw one of the all-time classic head to head contests in this great race. Locked in battle almost from the word go, it soon became clear that the finish here would involve only Native River and Might Bite. The question was would it be the class of the smooth travelling Might Bite, or the sheer toughness of Native River which would win the day? In the end it was the latter, as given an equally determined ride by Champion Jockey Richard Johnson, Native River finally broke Might Bite’s resistance in the closing stages. Anibale Fly – who later went on to place in the Grand National – ran on for third.
Having spent the majority of his outings in Grade 1 contests chasing after the superstar Douvan over two miles, it seemed that Sizing John was destined to be the bridesmaid and never the bride. He didn’t look the most obvious of future Gold Cup winners at that stage in his career. Trainer Jessica Harrington clearly saw something in him though and the step up to staying trips certainly worked the oracle. In addition to this race, he also took the Irish Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup in what was a stellar season.
Previously a winner over four miles at this meeting, Jonjo O’Neill’s Minella Rocco was unsurprisingly doing all his best work late and grabbed second. Colin Tizzard’s Native River filled third spot – but just twelve months later it would be his name which was up in lights at the end of this event.
Cheltenham Festival trials will take place throughout the National Hunt season and it would be wise to pay attention to the results of these. The trials include many of the main names in the antepost betting running over track and trip. See below for a list of winners and times. Keep these numbers in mind when planning your Cheltenham Gold Cup betting.
Backing any winner at the Cheltenham Festival is undoubtedly a satisfying experience. Placing a bet on the winner of the biggest race of them all is nevertheless a little extra special, be it via an ante post punt or a bet on the day; with you own funds or via a free bet offer. Hopefully this guide will serve to assist those of you looking to get involved in all the thrills, spills and excitement of the Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup; undoubtedly one of the greatest horse racing spectacles in the world. So pencil that Cheltenham Gold Cup date in the diary and keep your eyes peeled for the likely Cheltenham Gold Cup runners and riders in the build up to the race.
Harvey Mayson has worked as a horseracing writer, blogger and tipster for several of the UK’s leading bookmakers and numerous other specialist racing sites. Harvey has great knowledge of horse racing history and was the author of the Paddy Power Cheltenham Festival and Aintree Grand National blog for three years. Harvey’s blog at the Cheltenham Festival in 2014 included a 100,000-1 ante-post four-timer while he correctly forecast the first four winners on Grand National day in 2015. He also tipped three Grand National winners in a row and eleven consecutive winning nap selections.