Soccer/Football

Cheltenham Festival Day 4 tips: Expert predictions for the Gold Cup from Joe Norris

Mar 12, 2026 - 16:30

We’ve reached the final day of the Cheltenham Festival and it all comes down to Gold Cup Day.

It’s the one everyone waits for, the biggest race of the week and the race that defines the entire jumps season.

Cheltenham Day 4 quick tips

1.20 JCB Triumph Hurdle
- PROACTIF at 37/10 with SBK
- MACHO MAN at 16/1 with talkSPORT BET
2.00 William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
- MURCIA at 7/1 with BoyleSports
- SINNATRA at 15/2 with bet365
2.40 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
- PANIC ATTACK at 3/1 with bet365
3.20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
- KAZANSKY at 14/1 with BoyleSports
- JALON D’OUDAIRIES at 23/1 with SBK
4.00 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase
- GAELIC WARRIOR at 4/1 with BoyleSports
- INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN at 7/1 with talkSPORT BET
4.40 Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
- WONDERWALL at 36/5 with SBK
- PANDA BOY at 6/1 with bet365
5.20 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Cheltenham Day 4 WIN DOUBLE

Proactif
Panic Attack

Cheltenham Day 4 WIN DOUBLE pays 18/1 with Ladbrokes

Cheltenham Day 4 EACH WAY DOUBLE

Murcia
Kel Histoire

Cheltenham Day 4 EACH WAY DOUBLE pays 43/1 with talkSPORT BET

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the ultimate test of a staying chaser and it always produces some incredible moments. This year’s renewal looks another fascinating contest and there are also some excellent betting races on the card including the Triumph Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett.

Hopefully we’ve had a good week so far and we can finish the Festival on a high. Here are my Cheltenham Festival 2026 Day 4 tips and best bets for Gold Cup Day at Prestbury Park.

Cheltenham Day 4 race schedule

Time	Race	Length
1.20	JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)	2m1f
2.00	William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)	2m1f
2.40	Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)	2m41/2f
3.20	Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)	3m
4.00	Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)	3m21/2f
4.40	Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase (Class 2)	3m21/2f
5.20	Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)	2m41/2f

Triumph Hurdle tips

It is a shame Narciso Has is now out but McManus could still hold the key to the Triumph with the exciting PROACTIF. This horse won on debut in France and then made a perfect start on these shores winning easily at Fairyhouse. That experience won’t have been lost on him and with more to come he looks the most likely winner of this and could be a really nice prospect going forward.

MACHO MAN was second to the selection at Fairyhouse and had also looked promising winning in France prior to that. From a value perspective I expect him to get involved so he is definitely worth an each way saver for the Willie Mullins camp. Selma De Vary caught the eye chasing home Narciso Has at the Dublin Racing Festival and is another one to note.

15 PROACTIF

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Form: 1-1
Age: 4yo
Weight: 11-2

Bet on PROACTIF to win Triumph Hurdle at 37/10 with SBK

8 MACHO MAN

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Brian Hates
Form: 1-2
Age: 4yo
Weight: 11-2

Bet on MACHO MAN to win Triumph Hurdle at 16/1 with talkSPORT BET

County Handicap Hurdle tips

The County is always a fiercely competitive race and Willie Mullins has won 3 of the last 4 renewals with State Man, Absurde and Kargese. He has quite a few chances again but MURCIA could be the one to side with. This mare was impressive beating Live Conti at Aintree last year and has shaped well on both starts to date this season finishing third behind Talk The Talk and then fourth behind Bowensonfire at the Dublin Racing Festival. I’d be confident she is well handicapped and I can see her going close under Danny Mullins.

I also like SINNATRA for Dan Skelton. This horse has won 2 of his last 3 and gets in here off a light weight. His form with the likes of Captain Hugo and Act Of Innocence has been franked and after just 7 career starts he could improve again and run a big race. Plenty make the shortlist including the likely favourite Karbau with Townend on. He was only beaten a length at Naas and has further improvement to come. Tellherthename is another one who I can see going well.

8 MURCIA

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Form: 3331-82814-34
Age: 5yo
Weight: 11-0

Bet on MURCIA to win County Handicap Hurdle at 7/1 with BoyleSports

22 SINNATRA

Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Form: 14-22131
Age: 6yo
Weight: 10-5

Bet on SINNATRA to win County Handicap Hurdle at 15/2 with bet365

Mares’ Chase tips

Initially I thought Dinoblue would be hard to beat in this but the more I looked at the race the more I have warmed to PANIC ATTACK for Dan Skelton. This mare is absolutely thriving having won 4 of her last 5 and she was impressive as expected at Newbury when last seen. Her wins at Cheltenham and Newbury prior to that were eye-catching and she really could serve it up to this favourite. She is around 3/1 which looks the obvious value in the race.

Dinoblue won this last year but probably hasn’t faced a mare as good as Panic Attack so it will be fascinating to see how this plays out. It is not just a two horse race though as Spindleberry was in great form before pulling up at Leopardstown. If you put a line through that back against easier company she could have a squeak but I do think the market has it right and the top two will fight it out.

7 PANIC ATTACK

Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Form: 118-21141832-4-312-71343-3312-111
Age: 10yo
Weight: 11-2

Bet on PANIC ATTACK to win Mares’ Chase at 3/1 with bet365

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle tips

This race very much revolves around Doctor Steinberg and as impressive as he was at the Dublin Racing Festival my fear with him is that was such a big run it might have taken a bit out of him. He is such a keen and enthusiastic type and if he does that again at this track he might pull away his chance. KAZANSKY was second to him in Ireland last time but shaped with a great deal of promise and if he improves again might be able to close that gap. He is four times the price and at 16/1 looks too big.

I also like a stablemate to the selection JALON D’OUDAIRIES who appeals at 20/1. He won by a wide margin at Naas last time which was obviously expected looking at the SP. He has been getting better with experience and has untapped potential now going up in trip. This is often a gruelling race but he has plenty of heart and will keep galloping. Others to note include The Passing Wife who is getting backed and Thedeviluno who was impressive last time.

8 KAZANSKY

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jordan Gainford
Form: 5-21-B112
Age: 6yo
Weight: 11-7

Bet on KAZANSKY to win Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at 14/1 with BoyleSports

7 JALON D’OUDAIRIES

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Danny Gilligan
Form: 113-221
Age: 7yo
Weight: 11-7

Bet on JALON D’OUDAIRIES to win Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at 23/1 with SBK

Cheltenham Gold Cup tips

Time for the big one now and I’m confident GAELIC WARRIOR goes close. It has already been a great week for Rich Ricci with Lossiemouth winning the Champion Hurdle and he could complete a famous double here. This horse loves Cheltenham and has done little wrong this season winning at Punchestown and then finishing third in the King George beaten a whisker before chasing home stablemate Fact To File at the Dublin Racing Festival. He is going to peak here and I have no doubts about him over this trip. I think he’ll travel strongly into it and his class could see him home.

I backed INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN last year and I think he comes here with a live chance of defending his crown so I’m on again. He has been out of form this season just like he was before winning it 12 months ago and unbeaten at this track I can see him bouncing back and running a big race. The money has been gathering momentum and I’m anticipating a huge run again. Dangers include The Jukebox Man who won the King George and his bold jumping should see him go well for a long way. Jango Baie is also respected if appreciating this trip.

3 GAELIC WARRIOR

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Form: 633-2-11121-11U12-2311-132
Age: 8yo
Weight: 11-10

Bet on GAELIC WARRIOR to win Gold Cup at 4/1 with BoyleSports

7 INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN

Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Form: 11434-223911-7541-59F
Age: 8yo
Weight: 11-10

Bet on INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN to win Gold Cup at 7/1 with talkSPORT BET

Hunters’ Chase tips

I wouldn’t have a strong opinion in Hunter Chase races but given it’s Cheltenham I have had a good look through this race. I really don’t see why last year’s winner WONDERWALL won’t go close. They have found the key to him which is keeping him fresh and he showed a great attitude to spring a 28/1 upset in this last year beating Its On The Line. He won readily at Dromahane to warm up for this and could go some way to defending his crown.

The other one that catches the eye is PANDA BOY for Martin Brassil. He comes into the race eyeing up a hat-trick of wins having impressed at Thurles and then backing that up when well backed at Naas. His trainer has spoken highly of him and I think he has a great chance and is proving popular in the betting too. Its On The Line was only narrowly denied 12 months ago and takes his chance again and should be involved too.

23 WONDERWALL

Trainer: Sam Curling
Jockey: Robert James
Form: 137-21F-313-2273194BPU-123343211-1-1
Age: 10yo
Weight: 12-0

Bet on WONDERWALL to win Hunters’ Chase at 36/5 with SBK

13 PANDA BOY

Trainer: Martin Brassil
Jockey: John Gleeson
Form: 175-9-110-201-443F5-442417-7123U8-311
Age: 10yo
Weight: 12-0

Bet on PANDA BOY to win Hunters’ Chase at 6/1 with bet365

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle tips

Elliott and Mullins have dominated this race down the years and KEL HISTOIRE looks set to go off favourite for the latter. He is completely unexposed having only had a handful of starts under Rules. He has shaped well in defeat on both starts over two miles this season and now stepping back up in trip could be very well handicapped.

EAST INDIA EXPRESS caught the eye beaten just a neck at Windsor and has winning form at this track which is always a positive. I think he can run well for an in-form yard with Freddie Gordon given a chance on the big stage. WENDROCK for Elliott is also worth including as he was pulled up at Leopardstown but has some decent form to his name and looks the type his trainer often does well with in this race.

8 KEL HISTOIRE

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Michael Kenneally
Form: 128-55
Age: 6yo
Weight: 11-8

Bet on KEL HISTOIRE to win Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at 9/2 with BoyleSports

10 EAST INDIA EXPRESS

Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Freddie Gordon
Form: 1-142U-1171-FPU92
Age: 7yo
Weight: 11-8

Bet on EAST INDIA EXPRESS to win Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at 8/1 with talkSPORT BET

14 WENDROCK

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Carl Millar
Form: 33317653-745PU
Age: 5yo
Weight: 11-5

Bet on WENDROCK to win Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at 23/2 with SBK

Expert advice: Cheltenham Day 4 best bets

Better than a single win is a combo win, so here are my best combined bets for Gold Cup Day:

Cheltenham Day 4 WIN DOUBLE

Proactif
Panic Attack

Cheltenham Day 4 WIN DOUBLE pays 18/1 with Ladbrokes

Cheltenham Day 4 EACH WAY DOUBLE

Murcia
Kel Histoire

Cheltenham Day 4 EACH WAY DOUBLE pays 43/1 with talkSPORT BET

Cheltenham Festival 2026 news, tips and free bets:

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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