What is the Cheltenham Gold Cup 100?
The Cheltenham Festival is finally upon us. The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase draws in a humongous crowd to help mark the end of the festivities. Horse racing fans love a spectacle, and the three-mile, two-and-a-half furlong race begins at 15:30 on March 15.
The 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup is a special race. Not just because it’s one of the most exciting races of the entire festival, but this year marks its 100th anniversary. The 5,294-meter race has 22 fences to be jumped and is the highlight of the four-day horse racing festival. You can expect extra media attention and one heck of a race to cap things off at Cheltenham this year.
The Grade One race has strict rules around who can compete, and a prize pot of over £625,000. Qualifying horses must be five years or older within a specific weight allowance. To help you make a winning wager this year, we have compiled a Cheltenham Gold Cup betting guide. Find out what horses to bet on in the Gold Cup Centenary race!
Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting 2024
If you’re new to betting on horse racing, you might wonder what all the hype is about. Well, fans from all over the country gather and bet on the Cheltenham Festival yearly. Betting on the Cheltenham Gold Cup allows fans to win big without risking enormous sums. However, when there is money on the line, drama can’t be too far away.
On Wednesday, trainer Nicky Henderson confirmed he has pulled his horses from this year’s Cheltenham Festival. After a poor first day of results, Henderson’s horses are all non-runners on day two of the festival. This is big news for anyone interested in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, but it also affects the Gold Cup. Shishkin will probably not compete this Friday. Check out the list of non-runners at the bottom of the page to find out who else has dropped out.
List of Gold Cup Runners
Cheltenham Gold Cup betting in 2024 is difficult. The odds can change drastically from now to moments before the start of the race. That means getting the best returns requires perfect timing when placing your bet. To help you get the most out of your wager, here is the list of Gold Cup runners in this year’s competition.
- Galopin Des Champs @ 10/11 (was 11/10)
- Fastorslow @ 7/2 (was 9/2)
- Gerri Colombe @ 9/1 (was 10/1)
- L’Homme Presse @ 11/1 (unchanged)
- Hewick @ 14/1 (unchanged)
- Corach Rambler @ 14/1 (was 20/1)
- Bravemansgame @ 16/1 (was 15/1)
- Gentlemansgame @ 16/1 (unchanged)
- Monkfish @ 25/1 (unchanged)
- Nassalam @ 33/1 (was 25/1)
- The Real Whacker @ 33/1 (unchanged)
- Jungle Boogie @ 66/1 (was 40/1)
We will keep this article as up-to-date as possible, meaning the odds you see are exactly what is available at the Novibet sports betting site. Remember, you can get different odds at various bookies, so it’s worth shopping around. Betting in advance has increased risk as anything can happen before the race. Ensure you read the fine print to see if they cover your losses for a non-starter. Betting on the Cheltenham Gold Cup is risky enough. You don’t need to gamble on whether your horse will make the start.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Predictions
Prediction: Galopin Des Champs Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner
Our Cheltenham Gold Cup 2024 prediction is for last year’s winner, Galopin Des Champs, to do it again. The horse ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins has a real chance of defending the title. The last time a horse won consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup trophies was in 2019. Al Boum Photo won the 2019 and 2020 races, and guess who the rider and trainer combination was. That’s right, it was Townend and Mullins who did the double.
However, as Galopin Des Champs is the outright favourite at every sports betting site, we have to look elsewhere to get better returns. At the online bookies, the favourite has almost even odds to win. At 10/11, you stand to make less than your stake in profit. The odds will fluctuate in the buildup to the event, and they could go lower. However, that does not mean you should rush into a bet. A lot can happen between now and the race.
Making Cheltenham Gold Cup predictions is always difficult, but that’s what makes the event so exciting. Any of the 12 horses can win, even though we back last year’s winner to do it again. Fastorslow at 7/2 is certainly worth a punt, especially since you stand to make considerably more if jockey JJ Slevin can pull off an upset. They got the better of Galopin Des Champs in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April 2023, although Des Champs was the 4/11 favourite on the day. Fastorslow pulled off a 20/1 upset and won the race by 2.25 lengths.
Another Cheltenham Gold Cup prediction worth listening to is Gerri Colombe. Unfortunately, Galopin Des Champs defeated Gerri Colombe at Leopardstown in early February, so there is only an outside chance for this horse.
We expected Shishkin to be in contention, but trainer Nicky Henderson made a shocking announcement on Wednesday, March 13. Henderson confirmed that Jonbon, First Street, and Kingston Pride will not run on Wednesday. He also suggested a similar approach for Thursday and Friday, ruling Shishkin out of the Gold Cup 2024.
Statement from Nicky Henderson pic.twitter.com/CuOMSFzCPN
— Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) March 13, 2024
Galopin Des Champs picked up the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last month. Fastorslow was second in that race but could not stop Townend from picking up consecutive Irish Gold Cups. We predict history will repeat itself at Cheltenham. If you want to place a wager on this race, our Cheltenham Gold Cup betting guide can help you decide where to put your money.
Gold Cup Predictions 2024 – Betting Each Way
One of the most popular wagers at Cheltenham is betting each way. This type of wager allows punters to reduce the risk of walking away empty-handed. When you bet on a horse to win, you can only receive the winnings if the horse leads the race across the finish line. Whereas, betting each way gives some winnings if your runner finishes anywhere in the top five.
Now, each online bookmaker will have different rules for each way wagers. If you bet on the Cheltenham Festival, read the fine print. The most common payout is for one-fifth of the original winnings if your horse finishes in positions two, three, four, or five. You don’t win more the closer they finish to first place. All four places pay equally.
If you are going to bet each way on the Cheltenham Gold Cup, who are the most likely options? Below are the four most likely horses to finish in the top five behind the race winner. Remember to monitor the odds for each horse in the build-up to the race next Friday.
- Fastorslow @ 7/2
- Corach Rambler @ 14/1
- Gerri Colombe @ 9/1
- Bravemansgame @ 16/1
We predict Fastorslow will come in second place to Galopin Des Champs in a close-fought race. There will only be two to three lengths between the race winner and second place. Next to cross the line at the Gold Cup will be the 2023 Grand National winner, Corach Rambler. Three or more horses will contest the final two spots of the top five. The two biggest threats to Corach Rambler are Gerri Colombe and Bravemansgame. Shishkin would have been up there but looks like a non-runner this year.
Gold Cup Betting Tips 2024
Betting on the Gold Cup this year is more straightforward than we would like. The best races always have a favourite, but it would be a massive shock if Galopin Des Champs does not take this one by at least two lengths. However, anything can happen at Cheltenham, and that is what many punters will bet on. To help you get the most out of the race on March 15, look at these Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting Tips.
- Look for Promotions: As this is one of the biggest horse racing events on the calendar, every major online bookmaker will offer new and existing players unique promotions. This can include free bets, boosted odds for certain jockeys, and each way wagers that pay for a finish in the top five places. Consider signing up for a new online betting platform to receive an exclusive bonus.
- Each Way Bets: In the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2024, there is a clear favourite to win the race. Betting on Galopin Des Champs could be a good move, but at 10/11, it’s not the most rewarding wager. Instead, consider betting each way on some horses well out of contention. If one horse with 50/1 odds makes it into the top five, you could secure an impressive payday.
- Adjust your Stake: This year, we recommend adjusting how much you spend to help reduce your losses. There is always a chance the horse everyone expects to win secures consecutive Gold Cup victories. There is nothing wrong with taking a punt, but remember to gamble responsibly.
- Shop Around: Before you bet on the Cheltenham Gold Cup, look at the major online betting sites. One service might have better odds for the horses you want to bet on, and another may offer a unique promotion. You don’t need to join every online sports betting platform. Just look for the service that best suits your wagers.
- Don’t Rule Yourself Out: Although we have mentioned Galopin Des Champs winning this race, never rule out the possibility of an upset. If we have picked up one tip from Cheltenham Gold Cup betting over the years, never take yourself out of the race. Betting any amount on horses with odds over 10/1 can yield huge returns, so try a few underdogs. All you need is one of them to land, which will all be worthwhile.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds 2024 Potential Runners
Cheltenham Gold Cup betting is always exciting, even in races with a clear favourite. Galopin Des Champs leads the way at the sports betting site, but wagering on other horses to win the Gold Cup has supreme returns. Just look at Corach Rambler at 20/1. Last year’s Grand National Winner should be in the single digits for this race.
Below, we have selected the horses we think have the best shot at lifting the Gold Cup. Placing a bet on any of these horses each way could be a winning move when the Cheltenham Gold Cup race takes place on March 15.
- Fastorslow @ 7/2
- Gerri Colombe @ 9/1
- Hewick @ 14/1
- Corach Rambler @ 14/1
- Bravemansgame @ 16/1
List of Gold Cup Non-Runners 2024
Anything can happen when Cheltenham Gold Cup betting, and a lot has changed in the past few days. Several horses have dropped out of the event, including Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin. Below is a list of all the horses not running in this year’s Gold Cup.
- Shishkin @ Non-Runner (was 6/1)
- Protektorat @ Non-Runner (was 40/1)
- Conflated @ Non-Runner (was 40/1)
- Ahoy Senor @ Non-Runner (was 50/1)
What are the Four Big Races at Cheltenham?
The Cheltenham Festival begins Tuesday, March 12th and concludes on Friday, March 15th. There are four days of exciting racing, a major event on each day. The event that draws the most attention occurs on the fourth and final day of the festivities, the Gold Cup Steeple Chase. If you want to catch all the action, we list the other big events and the start times below.
- The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy: Tuesday, March 12 at 15:30.
- The Betway Queen Mother Steeple Chase: Wednesday, March 13 at 15:30.
- Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle: Thursday, March 14 at 15:30.
- The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase: Friday, March 15 at 15:30.
Although Friday is a busy day, there are two championship races on Thursday, St Patrick’s Day. The Stayer’s Hurdle is the big event, but at 14:50 on the same day, the Ryanair Steeple Chase will also draw in an enormous crowd. If you intend to watch the big races at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, don’t miss out on Thursday.
If you bet on multiple events at the Cheltenham Festival, we are putting together a dedicated guide to the Queen Mother Steeple Chase on Wednesday. This event is always good value and offers horse betting fans genuine excitement on the second day. If this is your first year watching horse racing, check out all the 15:30 races. While we can almost guarantee excitement in every race this year, these four have the most on the line and the biggest prize pots!
When does the Cheltenham Festival 2024 Start?
Planning on Cheltenham Gold Cup betting this year? Don’t forget there are plenty of races before the big one takes place on Friday. The festival begins next Tuesday, March 12th, at 12:10. However, the first official race is not until 13:30. There are seven events on the first day. The Cheltenham Festival takes place over four days, and each day has the same start and finish times during the week. The first race begins at 13:30, and the last event is at 17:30 all week.
If you are going to watch the big races during the festival, remember they all start at 15:30. Another race to remember is on St Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 14th. That has two championship races, one at 14:50 and the other at 15:30. If you are looking into Cheltenham Festival betting this year, those are two events not to miss.
The final championship race is on Friday at 15:30, and it’s the big one. The Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase is what everybody came to see, so add that to your diary. However, that is not the last race in the schedule. There are three additional events after the Gold Cup, with the last race starting at 17:30. The Cheltenham Festival concludes for another year once they finish the race.
Cheltenham Festival Racing Schedule
Betting on Cheltenham this year is going to be a blast. We have 28 races to enjoy, each with different horses, distances, and a mix of hurdle or chase events. If you want to know more about the schedule, check out the table below. Here, you will find the start time of every race, the distance, and what type of event it is.
| Time | Race Name | Distance | Race Type | Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race | 2m abt ½f | Hurdle | Grade 1 | 12/03/2024 |
| 14:10 | My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase | Abt 2m | Chase | Grade 1 | 12/03/2024 |
| 14:50 | Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase | 3m abt 1f | Chase | Premier Handicap | 12/03/2024 |
| 15:30 | Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy | 2m abt ½f | Hurdle | Grade 1 | 12/03/2024 |
| 16:10 | Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race | 2m abt 4f | Hurdle | Grade 1 | 12/03/2024 |
| 16:50 | Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race | 2m abt ½f | Hurdle | Premier Handicap | 12/03/2024 |
| 17:30 | Maureen Mullins National Hunt Novices’ Chase | 3m abt 6f | Chase | Grade 2 | 12/03/2024 |
| 13:30 | Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle Race | 2m abt 5f | Hurdle | Grade 1 | 13/03/2024 |
| 14:10 | Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase | 3m abt ½ f | Chase | Grade 1 | 13/03/2024 |
| 14:50 | Coral Cup Hurdle | 2m abt 5f | Hurdle | Premier Handicap | 13/03/2024 |
| 15:30 | Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase | Abt 2m | Chase | Grade 1 | 13/03/2024 |
| 16:10 | Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase | 3m abt 5½f | Chase | Ungraded | 13/03/2024 |
| 16:50 | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup | Abt 2m | Chase | Premier Handicap | 13/03/2024 |
| 17:30 | Weatherbys Champion Bumper | 2m abt ½f | Bumper | Grade 1 | 13/03/2024 |
| 13:30 | Turners Novices’ Chase | 2m abt 4f | Chase | Grade 1 | 14/03/2024 |
| 14:10 | Pertemps Network Final | Abt 3m | Hurdle | Premier Handicap | 14/03/2024 |
| 14:50 | Ryanair Steeple Chase | 2m abt 4½f | Chase | Grade 1 | 14/03/2024 |
| 15:30 | Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle | Abt 3m | Hurdle | Grade 1 | 14/03/2024 |
| 16:10 | TrustATrader Plate | 2m abt 4½f | Chase | Premier Handicap | 14/03/2024 |
| 16:50 | Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle | 2m abt 1f | Hurdle | Grade 2 | 14/03/2024 |
| 17:30 | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | 3m abt 2f | Chase | Ungraded | 14/03/2024 |
| 13:30 | JCB Triumph Hurdle | 2m abt 1f | Hurdle | Grade 1 | 15/03/2024 |
| 14:10 | County Handicap Hurdle Race | 2m abt 1f | Hurdle | Premier Handicap | 15/03/2024 |
| 14:50 | Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race | Abt 3m | Hurdle | Grade 1 | 15/03/2024 |
| 15:30 | Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase | 3m abt 2½f | Chase | Grade 1 | 15/03/2024 |
| 16:10 | St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Steeple Chase | 3m abt 2½f | Chase | Ungraded | 15/03/2024 |
| 16:50 | Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Steeple Chase | 2m abt 4½f | Chase | Grade 2 | 15/03/2024 |
| 17:30 | Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle | 2m abt 4½f | Hurdle | Ungraded | 5/03/2024 |
The standout events are the four big races, but the most exciting two are the Queen Mother Steeple Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Making Cheltenham Gold Cup wagers this year is a little difficult as there is a clear favourite, the winner from last year’s race. However, the Queen Mother Steeple Chase offers fresh excitement, so don’t miss it next Wednesday!
The odds for each race during the festival will fluctuate, meaning following the events and timing your bets will be critical. Looking at the race records for each horse will tell you the type of conditions they like, but who knows which horse will finish first on the day? If you’re betting on horse racing, follow each race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Gold Cup Betting Guide 2024
If you want more details about the best horses, you have come to the right place. Here at Novibet, we take horse racing seriously and want to give you all the information you need to place a winning wager. Our Gold Cup betting guide 2024 has everything you need to know about the Gold Cup runners.
| Name | Age | Trainer | Owner | Chase Record (Run-Won-2nd-3rd) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galopin Des Champs | 8 | W P Mullins | Audrey Turley | 11-8-1-1 |
| Fastorslow | 8 | Martin Brassil | Sean & Bernadine Mulryan | 7-3-2-0 |
| Shishkin | 10 | Nicky Henderson | J Donnelly | 15-10-1-1 |
| Gerri Colombe | 8 | Gordon Elliot | Robcour | 7-5-2-0 |
| L’Homme Presse | 9 | Venetia Williams | DFA Racing | 10-7-1-1 |
| Bravemansgame | 9 | Paul Nicholls | Bryan Drew | 12-6-4-1 |
| Hewick | 9 | John Joseph Hanlon | T J McDonald | 13-6-2-0 |
| Gentlemansgame | 8 | M F Morris | Robcour | 3-2-1-0 |
| Corach Rambler | 10 | Lucinda Russell | The Ramblers | 12-5-0-2 |
| Monkfish | 10 | W P Mullins | S Ricci | 5-4-1-0 |
| Nassalam | 7 | Gary Moore | John and Yvonne Stone | 13-5-2-1 |
| The Real Whacker | 8 | Patrick Neville | Neville, Mann, Duffus, Dennis-Price | 6-3-1-0 |
| Protektorat | 9 | Dan Skelton | Sir Alex Ferguson, G Mason, J Hales, and L Hales | 16-5-4-3 |
| Jungle Boogie | 10 | Henry De Bromhead | Malcolm C Denmark | 3-2-0-0 |
| Conflated | 10 | Gordon Elliot | Gigginstown House Stud | 20-5-3-5 |
| Ahoy Senor | 9 | Lucinda Russell | C Wymer and Pjs Russel | 16-4-3-2 |
Check back here closer to the event for more information about the horses. We are collecting a fact file of recent races for each runner and will update this Cheltenham Gold Cup betting guide as soon as possible.
How to Bet on the Cheltenham Gold Cup
If you are going to bet on a horse racing event for the first time, here are some step-by-step instructions to help you sign up. Follow our Cheltenham Gold betting guide, and you can wager on any horse race in the UK all year round.
- Step 1: Look for an online betting site or bookmaker that you like the look of. Check out the welcome offer or whether they have a promotion for Cheltenham this year. Once you have chosen your bookie, you can begin the registration process.
- Step 2: Download the app to your mobile device or visit the website. Next, enter your personal information and confirm your identity before you can place a wager on the horse racing. You are ready to deposit once you have verified your account, usually by email or text.
- Step 3: Check the welcome offer and promotions one more time before making a deposit. Online bookmakers usually give new players free bets if they make a qualifying deposit. Ensure you read the fine print before depositing any money to find out if you can use your free bets on the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
- Step 4: Deposit your funds and select the bet you want to make. Once the wager is in your bet slip, you can adjust how much you stake and whether to bet each way. When you choose each way, you are doubling your investment, but your bet will pay beyond just the winner of the race. Check with the online bookmaker, but most offer a payout of 1/5 of the original odds if your hose makes it into the top five in this race.
- Step 5: Place the bet! You have successfully registered and placed your first horse racing wager. Remember to check the responsible gambling tools before you get carried away. Here, you can limit the size of your deposits plus how regularly you can fund your account. Getting on top of your betting activity early can help prevent significant losses.
There you have it, our complete Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting Guide. If you are interested in betting on the festival this year, check back here daily until race day for horse racing betting tips and predictions. Plus, we are putting together a fantastic Queen Mother Steeple Chase betting guide for the big race on Wednesday!
