We celebrate 100 years of Cheltenham Gold Cup odds in 2024 as the feature event of the Cheltenham Festival celebrates a century of history. This season’s edition of the blue riband race of steeplechasing should be a cracker. On this page, we outline the latest Gold Cup odds and some of the frontrunners in the outright betting market in this Grade 1 contest.
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Why Gold Cup Odds Today are So Important
With 28 races making up the Cheltenham Festival, including the Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase, there is loads to bet on. However, taking place on the fourth and final day of the meeting is the biggest race of them all.
It is the Gold Cup that attracts the most interest from punters. According to the Horse Racing Levy Board statistics on betting races by turnover in 2022, only the Grand National saw more money staked on it across all events in the sport.
The Gold Cup has the biggest prize money pot of all Cheltenham races today with its history dating back to 1924 when Red Splash won. Every generation since has had its greats.
Defying the Gold Cup odds and winning the race multiple times at Cheltenham is a rare enough thing. The table below contains all eight horses that have two or more victories in this showpiece race:
Horse | Years Won | Trainer(s) | Gold Cup Odds |
Easter Hero | 1920 & 1930 | Jack Anthony | 7/4F & 8/11F |
Golden Miller | 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935 & 1936 | Basil Briscoe & Owen Anthony | 13/2, 4/7F, 6/5F, 1/2F & 21/20F |
Cottage Rake | 1948, 1949 & 1950 | Vincent O’Brien | 10/1, 4/6F, 5/6F |
Arkle | 1964, 1956 & 1966 | Tom Dreaper | 7/4, 30/100F, 1/10F |
L’Escargot | 1970 & 1971 | Dan Moore | 33/1 & 7/2 |
Best Mate | 2002, 2003 & 2004 | Henrietta Knight | 7/1, 13/8F & 8/11F |
Kuato Star | 2007 & 2009 | Paul Nicholls | 5/4F & 7/4F |
Al Boum Photo | 2019 & 2020 | Willie Mullins | 12/1 & 100/30F |
Cheltenham Gold Cup 2024 Latest Odds
The market prices for the next edition of the Cheltenham Gold Cup is dominated by Irish horses. Galopin Des Champs sits at the head of the betting to retain his crown from fellow Emerald Isle raiders Gerri Colombe and Fastorslow.
Leading British candidates are somewhat thinner on the ground than usual with last year’s runner-up Bravemansgame beaten four times since and Shishkin yet to complete a race this season. L’Homme Presse has a lengthy injury absence to overcome, meanwhile. Gold Cup odds last year’s third Conflated, fourth Noble Yeats and fifth Protektorat are huge too. The table below contains the latest prices.
Horses | Gold Cup Odds | Bookie |
Galopin Des Champs | 10/11 | BetMGM |
Gerri Colombe | 8/1 | BetUK |
Fastorslow | 8/1 | 888sport |
L’Homme Presse | 12/1 | William Hill |
Bravemansgame | 18/1 | Midnite |
Corach Rambler | 18/1 | Star Sports |
Monkfish | 28/1 | bet365 |
Gentlemansgame | 28/1 | Paddy Power |
Nassalam | 28/1 | BoyleSports |
Jungle Boogie | 33/1 | BetVictor |
The Real Whacker | 50/1 | Betair |
Hewick | N/A | Non-Runner |
Shishkin | N/A | Withdrawn |
This Year’s Leading Contenders, According to 2024 Gold Cup Betting Odds
Those who finished placed last season, i.e. Galopin Des Champs, Bravemansgame and Conflated, in the Cheltenham Gold Cup results, is often a logical place to start with betting. Online bookies have other ideas about the form of the upcoming race, however, and how that form has worked out since.
Performances en route to the Cheltenham Festival always impact Gold Cup odds, just as it has always been down the decades. It’s worth checking who the favourite is on the best betting sites in the UK as they tell you more about the current leading contenders.
Galopin Des Champs (10/11)
Mounting a successful defence of his Cheltenham crown is still viewed as the most likely outcome for Galopin Des Champs. His trainer, Willie Mullins, has won three of the last five editions of the Gold Cup. Galopin Des Champs turns eight in 2024, so should be very much in his prime.
Although there was initial concern about the subsequent form of the Gold Cup betting odds market leader after Cheltenham, he has since recaptured his best. Galopin Des Champs had two below par third-place efforts at Punchestown either side of a summer break. He put those behind when back on song in the Savills Chase over Christmas and when retaining his Irish Gold Cup crown, though. It’s hard to forget his scintillating victory at Prestbury Park in 2023, and that’s why he’s still favourite.
Fastorslow (8/1)
A new challenger in the staying steeplechase division rose up in the spring. That is none other than surprise Punchestown Gold Cup winner Fastorslow from the Martin Brassil stable. Many punters assumed he caught Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame out after their battle at Cheltenham, but he has since proven it was no fluke.
Fastorslow again bested the Gold Cup favourite on their respective reappearance in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase over a shorter trip. There were no excuses for Galopin Des Champs as he had won that race first time out the previous season. This result impacted the ante post betting and Cheltenham Gold Cup latest odds with Fastorslow now bang in contention as well despite a reverse in the Irish Gold Cup.
Gerri Colombe (8/1)
Gordon Elliott is another Irish trainer who knows what it takes to saddle a Gold Cup winner, so Gerri Colombe is in the right hands. Unlucky to suffer defeat in a Grade 1 novice chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, he has since proven himself with a terrific display of stamina to land the Champion Chase at Down Royal in Northern Ireland.
That followed an authoritative win at the Aintree Grand National Festival for Gerri Colombe. The extra distance in the Gold Cup come Cheltenham looks just fine. Elliott’s Christmas plans to run him in the King George on Boxing Day didn’t work out due to the good ground and Gerri Colombe instead ran second to Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown. He seems to hit a flat spot in his races but, although Cheltenham Gold Cup odds for Gerri Colombe lengthened, the more testing track should suit.
Should You Back the Cheltenham Gold Cup Favourite?
The Gold Cup attracts the best runners and riders from the UK & Ireland, with the race having a prize pool of over £625,000. While jockeys, trainers and owners will hope of claiming their share, punters dream of big profits by backing the winner at Cheltenham. Is it as simple as betting on the favourite in the Gold Cup odds? Well, not exactly.
There were three consecutive winning market leaders between 2003 and 2005, and four in five editions from 2003 to 2007. From 2010 up until 2023, six of the 14 most recent renewals of the Gold Cup went to the favourite. Three of those came in the last four years, skewing recent statistics.
Punters will often look for clues as to who they should bet on at Cheltenham. So, is it always worth betting on the entrant who is the favourite in the Gold Cup odds? It depends on what price they are, as these reflect implied probability. Galopin Des Champs was returned at an SP of 7/5 favourite in 2023, meaning he had a strong 41.7% chance of victory.
Winners’ Gold Cup Odds
Seven of the last eight editions of the Cheltenham Gold Cup have gone to Irish trainers. This reflects a wider period of dominance for raiders from the Emerald Isle at the Festival. This season’s ante post Gold Cup odds paint a similar picture with three leading contenders discussed above all trained in Ireland.
What about the Starting Price of recent winners? The table below shows Cheltenham results, specifically those successful the Gold Cup since 2010, including the jockeys and trainers involved:
Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Gold Cup Odds SP |
2023 | Galopin Des Champs | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 7/5 (favourite) |
2022 | A Plus Tard | Rachael Blackmore | Henry de Bromhead | 3/1 (favourite) |
2021 | Minella Indo | Jack Kennedy | Henry de Bromhead | 9/1 |
2020 | Al Boum Photo | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 100/30 (favourite) |
2019 | Al Boum Photo | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 12/1 |
2018 | Native River | Richard Johnson | Colin Tizzard | 5/1 |
2017 | Sizing John | Robbie Power | Jessica Harrington | 7/1 |
2016 | Don Cossack | Bryan Cooper | Gordon Elliott | 9/4 (favourite) |
2015 | Coneygree | Nico de Boinville | Mark Bradstock | 7/1 |
2014 | Lord Windermere | Davy Russell | Jim Culloty | 20/1 |
2013 | Bobs Worth | Barry Geraghty | Nicky Henderson | 11/4 (favourite) |
2012 | Synchronised | AP McCoy | Jonjo O’Neill | 8/1 |
2011 | Long Run | Mr Sam Waley-Cohen | Nicky Henderson | 7/2 (favourite) |
2010 | Imperial Commander | Paddy Brennan | Nigel Twiston-Davies | 7/1 |
A popular trend looked at by punters based on past horse racing results is the performances of veteran horses. It is worth noting that Cool Dawn’s success back in 1998, at 25/1, was the last time a horse aged 10+ won the Gold Cup. Horses in this age group have a poor record at the Gold Cup. However, it is not out of the question that a more experienced runner will place. Just look at Denman and Kauto Star as examples of horses who turned up year in, year out.
Which Trainers Should I Follow at Cheltenham?
The short answer is Irish ones. As noted above, Willie Mullins has three wins from the last five editions of the Gold Cup. He has also been Cheltenham Festival top trainer 10 times since 2011 and each of the past five years.
Henry De Bromhead has also trained two Gold Cup winners in the last three years, as well as recent successes in the Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase. Gordon Elliott also sends a team with strength-in-depth to the Cheltenham Festival, extending his long-time battle with Mullins across the Irish Sea.
It’s fair to say that the battle for the best trainer award at Cheltenham is always fiercely contested. If a handler from Ireland isn’t winning races like the Gold Cup, then top UK stables likes those of Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson might just get a look in. The dominance of Irish trainers make Gold Cup free bets on their horses all the more appealing.
Bottom Line on Gold Cup Odds
The Gold Cup is the standout race during the Cheltenham Festival. The Grade 1 National Hunt race has a vast history, with famous winners including Arkle, Best Mate, Kauto Star and Al Boum Photo. The Cheltenham Festival 2023 odds suggest that this year’s race could be hugely competitive, with horse racing fans set to back their favourites more than ever before. However, with betting on horses at Cheltenham not coming with any guarantees, punters must consider their picks carefully.
Regardless of who you think will win, be sure to take advantage of nothing but the best Gold Cup odds. Our recommended bookies all deliver attractive prices on the race. Meanwhile, they also offer a number of features and promotions surrounding the Cheltenham Festival. The countdown to the Gold Cup is well and truly underway, so be sure to check out the latest Gold Cup tips and Gold Cup offers.
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