Summary

  1. French have high hopes for Jet Bluepublished at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time

    15:20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle 3m

    Jockey James ReveleyImage source, Getty Images

    It could be a day for the French with Jet Blue aiming to become the second French-trained winner of this race after Moulin Riche won for Francois Doumen back in 2005.

    David Cottin trains the six-year-old, who showed plenty ability when he won over course and distance in December under James Reveley.

    After his double on Thursday, Henry de Bromhead will be hoping that the Big Westerner can land him another Festival win.

    And last year’s Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux will aim to challenge for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

  2. Gold Cup winners - the last 10 yearspublished at 15:08 Greenwich Mean Time

    2024: Galopin Des Champs

    2023: Galopin Des Champs

    2022: A Plus Tard

    2021: Minella Indo

    2020: Al Boum Photo

    2019: Al Boum Photo

    2018: Native River

    2017: Sizing John

    2016: Don Cossack

    2015: Coneygree

    Coneygree after winning the Gold Cup in 2015Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Coneygree after winning the Gold Cup in 2015

  3. Gold Cup runners - full listpublished at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time

    1. Ahoy Senor
    2. Banbridge
    3. Corbetts Cross
    4. Galopin Des Champs
    5. Gentlemansgame
    6. Inothewayurthinkin
    7. Monty's Star
    8. Royale Pagaille
    9. The Real Whacker
  4. Who can stop Galopin Des Champs?published at 15:04 Greenwich Mean Time

    Gold Cup 16.00 GMT

    Laura Scott
    BBC sports news correspondent

    Eight horses will be trying to deny Galopin Des Champs on Friday, as the nine-year-old bids to become the first triple winner since Best Mate in 2004.

    December's King George VI Chase winner Banbridge is the closest rival according to the market, while the third favourite is the market leader in the Grand National - Inothewayurthinkin - whose owner JP McManus paid £25,000 to enter him for the Gold Cup.

    There are only three British-trained runners - Ahoy Senor, The Real Whacker and Royale Pagaille - and they are all outsiders.

    Mullins knows the hat-trick won't be easy, having come up just short when attempting the feat with Al Boum Photo, who won the race in 2019 and 2020 but finished third in 2021 and sixth in 2022.

    However, no-one knows how to train a Cheltenham Festival winner better than Mullins, who celebrated a century of them last year and is the leading trainer so far this week.

    Galopin Des Champs stormed to a seven-length victory in 2023, and defended his crown last year despite having to contend with the unwelcome presence of a loose horse.

  5. Galopin gallopingpublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time

    Gold Cup 16:00 GMT

    "Imposing, athletic, chilled".

    Galopin Des Champs, in the words of those who know him best.

    Media caption,

    Galopin Des Champs seeking a third successive Gold Cup

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:59 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcracing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    BenidormImage source, Rebecca Higginson

    Our roving reporter in Benidorm, Rebecca (aka editor Marc's sister), is watching the racing in the Spanish sunshine today. Below are some others who have swapped the UK for warmer climes this week. Nice outfits, lads!

    If you're in Benidorm for the Gold Cup, send us your pics.

    BenidormImage source, Rebecca Higginson
  7. Postpublished at 14:56 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    So, after a 100-1 shock winner in the opening race, the favourites have triumphed in each of the last two events.

    Who says the experts don't know anything?

  8. 'She is a great little mare'published at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    Winning jockey Mark Walsh, who has claimed his third win of the week, tells ITV Racing: "She deserved that for her fourth time at the Festival.

    "She was brilliant today. Paul's mare (Allegorie De Vassy) jumped right but even if she hadn't fallen, I think I had her.

    "It was a nice gallop and good ground this year which suited her. She is a great little mare."

  9. Postpublished at 14:53 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    Trainer Willie Mullins has now matched the nine wins he enjoyed at the Festival last year. A reminder that his personal record at a single Cheltenham is 10 in 2022.

    It means Mullins on his own has more victories than all British trainers at Cheltenham this year.

    And it's three victories from three races for Mullins so far today. No trainer has ever claimed all seven wins on a single day at Cheltenham before.

  10. Postpublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    Tom Scudamore
    Jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live

    DinoblueImage source, Reuters

    That will give Mark Walsh a lot of pleasure as well. Mark rode her last year and she stayed it really well but didn't quite get to Limerick Lace but they looked at it and got there this year.

  11. 'Another win for Willie Mullins'published at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    Charlie Poste
    Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live

    DinoblueImage source, Reuters

    Allegorie De Vassy was big and bold with the jumping but this mare Dinoblue is small and terrier-like. She won as a 6-4 favourite and that has not been the story of the week. Another win for Willie Mullins.

  12. Resultpublished at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    1 Dinoblue (M P Walsh) 6-4 Fav

    2 Brides Hill (K M Donoghue) 9-2

    3 Shecouldbeanything (Danny Gilligan) 12-1

    9 ran

  13. Postpublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    Allegorie De Vassy is on her feet and walking away, as is jockey Paul Townend. Good to see.

  14. Dinoblue winspublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time
    Breaking

    14:40 Mares Chase

    Another victory for the favourite, another victory for Willie Mullins.

    Allegorie De Vassy ran well, but was jumping quite untidily and it caught up to her at the last as Dinoblue took the lead, sheer stamina telling there.

    Mullins has now trained nine winners at Cheltenham this year.

  15. Postpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    Allegorie De Vassy falls at the last.

    Dinoblue will win this.

  16. Postpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    One to go, and Dinoblue moves into the lead.

  17. Postpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    Seven remain in this race, two have been pulled up. All the favourites are still in with a chance.

  18. Postpublished at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    Allegorie De Vassy is jumping big and often untidy, but still holds the lead.

    Dinoblue remains well placed though.

  19. Postpublished at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    John Hunt
    Horse racing commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Allegorie De Vassy was untidy there. Get one wrong and it looks very ugly very quickly.

  20. Postpublished at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time

    14:40 Mares Chase

    Allegorie De Vassy to Dinoblue, followed by Limerick Lace and Brides Hill.

    Allegorie De Vassy with a couple of slightly wonky jumps there, but still holding the lead.