The Paddy Power Gold Cup is one of the most important early-season handicap chases in British jump racing. Run over approximately two and a half miles at Cheltenham, it brings together established chasers and improving horses competing for one of the autumn’s most prestigious prizes.
The 2026 Paddy Power Gold Cup takes place on Saturday 14 November at 2.20pm, during the three-day Cheltenham November Meeting.
First run in 1960, the race was known for many years as the Mackeson Gold Cup. Its winners include Grand National hero Gay Trip, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander and several horses who subsequently developed into leading performers at the Cheltenham Festival.
The 2025 renewal went to Panic Attack, trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by Harry Skelton.
Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026: Race Overview
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is a Premier Handicap chase run on Cheltenham’s Old Course. The race is open to horses aged four and older and takes place on the second day of the November Meeting.
| Race detail | Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday 14 November 2026 |
| Scheduled time | 2.20pm |
| Racecourse | Cheltenham |
| Course | Old Course |
| Race type | Premier Handicap Chase |
| Distance | Approximately 2m 4f |
| Age qualification | Four years and older |
| Surface | Turf |
| Meeting | Cheltenham November Meeting |
| Previous winner | Panic Attack (2025) |
The 2026 race is scheduled for 2.20pm, although the final off-time remains subject to the official raceday programme.
The race is a handicap rather than a level-weights championship contest. Horses carry different weights according to their handicap marks, with the aim of giving runners of different abilities a competitive chance.
This creates an interesting contest between established performers carrying substantial weights and improving chasers whose handicap marks may not yet reflect their full ability.
Why Cheltenham’s Old Course matters
The Old Course is left-handed and undulating, with a demanding uphill finish. Horses must jump accurately, maintain their position and conserve enough energy for the closing stages.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup places particular demands on horses that race prominently. An aggressive early pace can expose weaknesses in stamina, while runners held up too far behind the leaders may struggle to make up ground if the race develops into a sprint.
Previous Cheltenham form is useful because the course presents challenges that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Our Cheltenham Racecourse guide explains the track’s layout, major meetings and racing characteristics.
Famous Paddy Power Gold Cup Winners
The Paddy Power Gold Cup has produced several outstanding chasers since its introduction in 1960.
Some winners have subsequently developed into championship performers, while others have established their reputations as specialists in competitive handicap chases.
Fortria: The first dual winner
Fortria won the inaugural running in 1960 and returned to win again in 1962.
Trained in Ireland by Tom Dreaper and ridden by Pat Taaffe, Fortria was one of the outstanding chasers of his generation.
His two victories established an early precedent for horses returning to Cheltenham to win the race more than once.
Gay Trip: From Cheltenham to Grand National glory
Gay Trip won the race in 1969 and 1971 for trainer Fred Rimell and jockey Terry Biddlecombe.
Between those victories, he won the 1970 Grand National at Aintree, carrying 11st 5lb.
He returned to Aintree in 1972 and finished second to Well To Do.
Gay Trip’s achievements demonstrate the range of ability among the Paddy Power Gold Cup’s historical winners. Although the Cheltenham handicap is run over a substantially shorter distance than the Grand National, both races reward jumping ability and stamina.
Half Free and Bradbury Star
Half Free became the first horse to win consecutive renewals, taking the race in 1984 and 1985.
Bradbury Star repeated that achievement in 1993 and 1994.
Both horses joined Fortria and Gay Trip among the race’s multiple winners, demonstrating that proven course form can remain valuable even when a horse returns with a revised handicap mark.
Cyfor Malta: Two victories four years apart
Cyfor Malta won in 1998 and 2002 for Martin Pipe.
His second victory came four years after his first, an unusual achievement in a race where changing handicap marks and the emergence of younger chasers make repeat success difficult.
Cyfor Malta was one of several winners who contributed to Pipe’s outstanding record in the race.
Exotic Dancer: The 2006 winner
Exotic Dancer won the 2006 renewal for Jonjo O’Neill and Tony McCoy.
He subsequently won the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham and developed into one of the leading staying chasers in Britain.
His other achievements included victory in the Cotswold Chase and the 2008 Lexus Chase.
Exotic Dancer also finished second to Kauto Star in both the King George VI Chase at Kempton and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
His progression illustrates how a successful handicap chaser can develop into a leading performer at championship level.
Imperial Commander: Paddy Power winner and Cheltenham Gold Cup champion
Imperial Commander won the 2008 Paddy Power Gold Cup for Nigel Twiston-Davies.
He followed that success with victory in the 2009 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before stepping up in distance to win the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
His Gold Cup victory was particularly memorable because he defeated the Paul Nicholls-trained Kauto Star and Denman.
Imperial Commander remains one of the clearest examples of a Paddy Power Gold Cup winner developing into a championship staying chaser.
Al Ferof: A high-class winner in 2012
Al Ferof won the 2012 renewal for Paul Nicholls.
The grey had already established himself as a talented horse, winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival under Ruby Walsh.
His subsequent victories over fences included the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase, the 1965 Chase and the Peterborough Chase.
Al Ferof’s success demonstrated that horses with proven Grade 1 ability can remain competitive in major handicaps despite carrying substantial weights.
Recent Paddy Power Gold Cup winners
| Year | Winner | Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Splash Of Ginge | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 2018 | Baron Alco | Gary Moore |
| 2019 | Happy Diva | Kerry Lee |
| 2020 | Coole Cody | Evan Williams |
| 2021 | Midnight Shadow | Sue Smith |
| 2022 | Ga Law | Jamie Snowden |
| 2023 | Stage Star | Paul Nicholls |
| 2024 | Il Ridoto | Paul Nicholls |
| 2025 | Panic Attack | Dan Skelton |
The recent winners demonstrate the different types of horses capable of winning the race.
Coole Cody was particularly effective around Cheltenham, while Stage Star arrived in 2023 with established Festival form after winning the Turners Novices’ Chase earlier that year.
Il Ridoto’s 2024 victory followed previous appearances in major Cheltenham handicaps.
Panic Attack added her name to the roll of honour in 2025, defeating Vincenzo and Hoe Joly Smoke.
Paddy Power Gold Cup 2025: Panic Attack’s Victory
Panic Attack won the 2025 Paddy Power Gold Cup under Harry Skelton, providing trainer Dan Skelton with another major autumn success.
The nine-year-old mare started at 6/1 and defeated favourite Vincenzo, with Hoe Joly Smoke finishing third.
Her victory was the result of a long-term training plan. Dan Skelton had identified the race as a suitable target earlier in the year and prepared her specifically for the November contest.
Panic Attack’s success highlighted the importance of identifying horses whose trainers have targeted the race rather than treating it as an alternative engagement.
A carefully planned seasonal return can be particularly valuable in an early-season handicap, although a horse still needs to demonstrate sufficient fitness and suitability for the conditions.
The 2025 result also showed that older, experienced chasers can compete successfully against younger rivals in this race.
Key Paddy Power Gold Cup Trials
The Paddy Power Gold Cup does not have one dominant trial.
Its winners arrive through different routes, including early-season handicap chases, novice chases and major races from the previous spring.
The most useful preparation depends on the horse’s experience, handicap mark and previous performances at Cheltenham.
Cheltenham Festival handicap form
The Cheltenham Festival provides a valuable reference point for horses returning to the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November.
The Festival Plate, run over a similar distance, is particularly relevant because it tests a horse’s ability to jump and maintain its position in a competitive Cheltenham handicap.
A horse that performed well in the Plate may return in November with valuable course experience.
However, its handicap mark must be considered carefully. A horse that won convincingly at the Festival may have received a substantial rise in the weights.
Previous Cheltenham form
Previous performances at Cheltenham deserve particular attention when assessing the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
Horses that jump fluently around the Old Course, travel comfortably through undulations and finish strongly up the hill have already demonstrated important qualities.
Course form should be assessed alongside the distance, ground and pace of the previous race.
A horse that finished strongly over three miles on soft ground may face a different test over two and a half miles on a quicker surface.
Our Cheltenham horse racing tips page provides further information about assessing runners at the course.
Early-season handicap chases
October and early-November handicap chases can provide useful evidence of a horse’s current fitness.
A recent run may reveal whether a horse is jumping accurately, travelling well and responding to pressure.
However, a disappointing seasonal debut does not automatically rule out a strong performance at Cheltenham.
Some trainers use an early race to improve fitness before a more important target.
The key is to examine the circumstances of the performance rather than relying solely on the finishing position.
The December Gold Cup
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is an important form reference for the December Gold Cup, another major Cheltenham handicap chase over a similar distance.
Horses that finish behind the winner in November can become interesting candidates for the December race, particularly if they encountered trouble in running or performed better than their finishing positions suggest.
The handicapper’s response is important. A horse that finishes close to the winner may receive a smaller rise in its rating than the winner itself.
Ground conditions can also change substantially between November and December, altering the suitability of individual runners.
Paddy Power Gold Cup Betting Trends
Historical trends provide useful context, but the Paddy Power Gold Cup is a competitive handicap in which individual race conditions matter more than a single statistic.
Age, weight, previous course form and recent performances should be considered together.
Age of previous winners
Recent winners include horses at different stages of their chasing careers.
Younger horses can have an advantage when they are still improving, particularly if their handicap marks have not caught up with their ability.
Older horses bring experience and may have established records around Cheltenham.
Panic Attack’s victory as a nine-year-old in 2025 is a useful reminder that age alone should not determine a betting decision.
Previous Cheltenham experience
Previous course form is one of the most relevant considerations.
Cheltenham’s undulations, fences and uphill finish can expose horses that have performed well on flatter tracks.
A runner with a strong record at Cheltenham has already demonstrated that it can cope with the course.
However, previous course experience is not a guarantee of success. The distance, ground, handicap mark and strength of opposition must also be considered.
Handicap weights and official ratings
The Paddy Power Gold Cup has been won by horses carrying a wide range of weights.
Johns Spirit won in 2013 carrying 10st 2lb, while Taquin Du Seuil carried 11st 11lb to victory in 2016.
Al Ferof’s success in 2012 demonstrated that a high-class horse can overcome a demanding handicap mark.
The most useful question is whether a horse remains well treated relative to its current ability.
Our explanation of horse racing handicap ratings covers how official marks affect the weights horses carry.
Previous winning form
A victory on a horse’s most recent start is not essential.
Some winners arrive after a seasonal reappearance, while others have been prepared specifically for the race following a break.
Recent form is still important, but it should be interpreted in context.
A horse that finished fourth after making a mistake at a crucial stage may have produced a better performance than its finishing position suggests.
Equally, a horse that won a weak race may face a substantially tougher assignment at Cheltenham.
Starting prices and favourites
The Paddy Power Gold Cup has produced winners at a wide range of prices.
Splash Of Ginge won at 25/1 in 2017, Little Josh scored at 20/1 in 2010 and Happy Diva returned at 14/1 in 2019.
Panic Attack won at 6/1 in 2025.
These results demonstrate why the race should not be approached with a rigid preference for favourites or outsiders.
The aim is to identify runners whose available odds offer value relative to their realistic chance of winning.
A horse at 20/1 is not automatically a good bet because previous outsiders have won the race.
Paddy Power Gold Cup: Top Trainers and Jockeys
The race has an impressive roll of honour featuring several of the most successful trainers and jockeys in National Hunt racing.
Martin Pipe: Eight Paddy Power Gold Cup victories
Martin Pipe holds the record for the most training victories in the race, with eight.
His winners were Beau Ranger (1987), Challenger Du Luc (1996), Cyfor Malta (1998 and 2002), Lady Cricket (2000), Shooting Light (2001), Celestial Gold (2004) and Our Vic (2005).
Pipe’s record reflects his ability to prepare horses for major handicap targets and place them effectively.
His eight victories remain an important part of the race’s history.
Fred Rimell: Four consecutive victories
Fred Rimell trained four successive winners between 1968 and 1971.
His winners included Gay Trip, who scored in both 1969 and 1971.
Rimell’s achievement remains particularly notable because winning a major handicap repeatedly requires a trainer to identify suitable horses with different abilities and racing profiles.
Nigel Twiston-Davies: Four victories
Nigel Twiston-Davies has trained four winners of the race.
His victories came with Tipping Tim (1992), Imperial Commander (2008), Little Josh (2010) and Splash Of Ginge (2017).
Imperial Commander subsequently became a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, while Splash Of Ginge produced one of the race’s notable long-priced victories.
Twiston-Davies’ record demonstrates his ability to prepare horses for Cheltenham’s demanding chase course.
Jonjo O’Neill: Three victories
Jonjo O’Neill has won the race three times as a trainer.
His winners were Exotic Dancer (2006), Johns Spirit (2013) and Taquin Du Seuil (2016).
Exotic Dancer subsequently developed into a leading staying chaser, while Johns Spirit established himself as a particularly effective Cheltenham handicap performer.
Taquin Du Seuil’s victory under a substantial weight added another notable success to O’Neill’s record.
Paul Nicholls: Recent successes
Paul Nicholls has trained several high-class Paddy Power Gold Cup winners, including Al Ferof, Stage Star and Il Ridoto.
Stage Star’s 2023 victory followed his success at the Cheltenham Festival earlier that year, where he was ridden by Harry Cobden.
Il Ridoto won the 2024 renewal under Freddie Gingell, demonstrating the value of previous experience in competitive Cheltenham handicaps.
Nicholls’ record also illustrates how established Grade 1 performers and experienced handicappers can both be prepared successfully for the race.
Dan Skelton and Harry Skelton
Dan Skelton trained Panic Attack to win the 2025 renewal, with his brother Harry Skelton in the saddle.
The victory added another major handicap success to the stable’s record.
Their preparation of Panic Attack demonstrated the importance of identifying a suitable race well in advance and managing a horse’s programme around that target.
Tony McCoy: Four winning rides
Tony McCoy is the leading jockey in the history of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, with four victories.
He won aboard Cyfor Malta (1998), Lady Cricket (2000), Shooting Light (2001) and Exotic Dancer (2006).
His record reflects the importance of judgement and race positioning in a competitive handicap chase.
A jockey must balance the need to secure a good position with the risk of using too much energy before Cheltenham’s demanding finish.
How to Analyse the Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026
The Paddy Power Gold Cup requires a different approach from a small-field championship chase.
The handicap conditions bring horses of different abilities closer together, while the competitive field increases the importance of jumping, positioning and race pace.
The following factors deserve particular attention when the 2026 declarations become available.
Assess each horse’s handicap mark
A horse’s official rating determines its position in the handicap.
Improving horses can be particularly interesting when their recent performances suggest that they are better than their current marks.
However, a recent victory may result in a substantial rise in the weights.
Compare each runner’s current mark with its previous winning ratings, the strength of its opposition and the circumstances of its recent performances.
Examine the likely pace
Pace is an important consideration over Cheltenham’s Old Course.
A race containing several confirmed front-runners may develop differently from one in which few horses are likely to contest the early lead.
Strong early competition can create opportunities for horses that settle behind the leaders and finish well.
Conversely, a prominent runner may gain an advantage if allowed to establish a comfortable rhythm.
Our horse racing pace bias explanation examines how running styles can influence results.
Check jumping accuracy
A mistake at a fence can cost a horse valuable ground and momentum.
In a competitive handicap, several small mistakes may be enough to prevent a runner from challenging.
Examine previous chase performances for evidence of jumping errors, particularly when a horse has been racing under pressure.
A horse that jumps accurately at speed may be better suited to the race than one that relies on recovering ground between fences.
Assess the going
The official going can substantially affect the demands of the race.
Soft ground places greater emphasis on stamina, while quicker conditions can suit horses with tactical speed.
Previous performances should be examined in relation to the ground rather than simply the race distance.
Our explanation of the going in horse racing covers the different ground descriptions and their significance.
Consider the trainer’s preparation
The timing of a horse’s previous run can provide useful information.
Some horses improve significantly after their seasonal debut, while others perform well following a break.
A trainer’s comments may help establish whether the Paddy Power Gold Cup has been a long-term target.
However, comments should be assessed alongside the horse’s form and previous record after an absence.
Compare the available odds
The final stage is to compare the horse’s chance of winning with the available price.
A runner can have an excellent chance of winning without representing value at its current odds.
Equally, a horse with several questions to answer may still be worth considering if the market has underestimated its prospects.
The most effective approach is to assess the race independently before comparing the prices.
Betting on the Paddy Power Gold Cup
The Paddy Power Gold Cup attracts considerable betting interest because it is one of the first major handicap chases of the winter season.
The competitive nature of the race creates several betting considerations, particularly around each-way terms, ante-post markets and the availability of different prices.
Win betting
A win bet requires the selected horse to finish first.
The potential return depends on the available odds and the stake.
For example, a £10 win bet at 10/1 returns £110 in total if successful, including the original £10 stake.
Our horse racing odds guide explains how betting prices work and how to calculate potential returns.
Each-way betting
Each-way betting is popular in competitive handicaps because it combines a win bet with a place bet.
A £10 each-way bet costs £20 in total.
The place part of the bet is settled according to the bookmaker’s advertised terms, which depend on factors including the number of runners and the market.
Some bookmakers offer additional places on major handicaps, although these offers can come with reduced place fractions or other conditions.
Compare the full each-way terms rather than looking only at the number of places.
Ante-post betting
Ante-post markets allow bets to be placed before the final declarations.
The potential advantage is securing a price before the market changes.
However, ante-post bets are normally lost if the selected horse does not participate, unless the bookmaker’s specific terms provide otherwise.
This is particularly relevant to the Paddy Power Gold Cup because a horse’s participation may depend on its handicap mark, fitness, ground preferences and alternative engagements.
Waiting for the final declarations provides greater certainty about the runners.
Comparing bookmakers
Different bookmakers can offer different prices and each-way terms on the same race.
Our comparison of horse racing betting sites explains the main features to consider when choosing a bookmaker, including racing markets, withdrawals and betting features.
The bookmaker sponsoring the race does not automatically offer the most competitive price.
Paddy Power Gold Cup Facts
The Paddy Power Gold Cup has been a major part of Cheltenham’s autumn programme since 1960.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First running | 1960 |
| Original winner | Fortria |
| Original sponsorship name | Mackeson Gold Cup |
| Current classification | Premier Handicap |
| Racecourse | Cheltenham |
| Course | Old Course |
| Distance | Approximately 2½ miles |
| Leading trainer | Martin Pipe, eight wins |
| Leading jockey | Tony McCoy, four wins |
| Most recent dual winner | Cyfor Malta, 1998 and 2002 |
| 2025 winner | Panic Attack |
The race has had several sponsorship names during its history, but the Mackeson Gold Cup remains particularly well remembered by racing followers.
It should not be confused with the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which takes place over a substantially longer distance at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Paddy Power Gold Cup FAQs
When is the Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026?
The 2026 Paddy Power Gold Cup takes place on Saturday 14 November at Cheltenham. The race is scheduled to start at 2.20pm.
Where is the Paddy Power Gold Cup held?
The race takes place on the Old Course at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire.
How far is the Paddy Power Gold Cup?
The race is run over approximately two miles and four furlongs, commonly described as two and a half miles.
Is the Paddy Power Gold Cup a Grade 3 race?
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is classified as a Premier Handicap. Older records and race reports may describe previous renewals as Grade 3 handicaps.
Who won the Paddy Power Gold Cup in 2025?
Panic Attack won the 2025 renewal for trainer Dan Skelton and jockey Harry Skelton. Vincenzo finished second and Hoe Joly Smoke was third.
Who has trained the most Paddy Power Gold Cup winners?
Martin Pipe holds the record with eight victories, including two with Cyfor Malta.
Who is the most successful jockey in the Paddy Power Gold Cup?
Tony McCoy holds the record with four winning rides, achieved between 1998 and 2006.
Has a Paddy Power Gold Cup winner also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Yes. Imperial Commander won the Paddy Power Gold Cup in 2008 and subsequently won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2010.
Is the Paddy Power Gold Cup the same as the December Gold Cup?
No. They are separate handicap chases held at Cheltenham. The Paddy Power Gold Cup takes place in November, while the December Gold Cup is staged the following month.
Can I bet on the Paddy Power Gold Cup before the final declarations?
Ante-post markets may be available before the final declarations. However, a horse that does not run will normally result in a losing ante-post bet unless the bookmaker’s terms provide otherwise.
Summary of the Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026
The Paddy Power Gold Cup takes place at Cheltenham on Saturday 14 November 2026 and is one of the major early-season handicap chases.
Its history includes outstanding winners such as Gay Trip, Exotic Dancer, Imperial Commander and Al Ferof, while Panic Attack’s 2025 victory added another notable name to the race’s roll of honour.
Previous Cheltenham form, handicap ratings, jumping accuracy and the likely pace are important considerations when assessing the 2026 runners.
The race also provides a valuable form reference for the December Gold Cup and other major handicap chases later in the National Hunt season.
