Preview, card and how to watch

There have been three days of absorbing racing across the first three days of the Cheltenham Festival, which have been high on drama and emotion.

But now it’s time for the headline act, the Gold Cup.

Nine runners will tackle 22 fences over three miles and two furlongs as they all attempt to etch their name into Cheltenham history, with the festival’s most successful trainer out to join a very exclusive club.

1.20 – Triumph Hurdle

A race restricted to four-year-old juvenile hurdlers that has produced four subsequent Champion Hurdle winners along with two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll (2014). Sam Twiston-Davies rides 2-1 favourite East India Dock.

2.00 – County Hurdle

A two-mile handicap hurdle that has been won seven times by trainer Willie Mullins, who fittingly has the favourite in this one. Paul Townend rides 10-3 Kargese.

2.40 – Mares Chase

Limerick Lace, the 2024 winner, is a 7-1 shot to repeat the feat this year. Mullins has the 6-5 favourite Dinoblue.

3.20 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

The definitive test of long-distance novice hurdlers, The Big Westerner is the 5-1 favourite for trainer Henry De Bromhead, who tasted success in Thursday’s Stayers’ Hurdle. Gordon Elliott trained last year’s winner Stellar Story and he will have high hopes for Wingmen (9-1).

4.00 – Gold Cup

The 2025 edition of the world’s most prestigious jump race is likely to be an extremely special one for Mullins. Gallopin des Champs has won the last two Gold Cups for the Irish trainer and is the 4-7 favourite to become the first horse since Best Mate in 2004 to win three in a row.

Should he do so, Mullins will join Tom Dreaper as only the second trainer to claim five Gold Cup victories. Banbridge (5-1) is seen as the main threat, with trainer Joseph Patrick O’Brien seeking his first Gold Cup win.

Simply the BEST! 🤩

Galopin Des Champs galloped his way to Gold Cup glory in 2023 🏆#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/5ABBFcA2ky

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2025

4.40 – St James’s Place Hunters’ Chase

Often labelled the amateurs’ Gold Cup, the Hunters’ Chase is run over the same course and distance, serving as a proving ground for amateur jockeys. Angels Dawn is the 7-2 favourite.

5.20 – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

The final race of the festival is only open to conditional jockeys, professional riders who are still just beginning their careers, and it offers the chance for Mullins to cap a potentially historic day in style. He saddles 9-4 favourite Kopeck De Mee.

Weather

The going is good to soft, but a forecast of light rain could complicate things a little by further softening the ground.

How to watch

In the UK, you can watch all the races on ITV Racing and Racing TV. Racing TV is available through Sky and Virgin Media.

If you’re not near a TV set, you can stream the event via ITV Racing and Racing TV.