Cheltenham Festival 2026 – Day 4 The Finale - Gold Cup Day. Who Will Win?

Cheltenham reaches its grand finale on Day 4, and with the Gold Cup headlining the afternoon, the stakes inside Legacy Racing couldn’t be higher.

After three days of Festival drama, the internal leaderboard goes right to the wire. Claire enjoyed a day to remember, selecting Meetmebythesea and Home By The Lee, while captain steady Mike has moved back to the top of the standings, with Juan’s selections largely firing blanks.

The question of which method of picking selections is best will truly be answered on this final day.

The team are delighted with how this style of blog has been received, and we certainly didn’t expect to receive so many of your own stories about the wonderfully wacky ways horses have been selected.

Here are the team’s selections for Day 4 at Cheltenham.

13:20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle

Mike – Highland Crystal

Mike believes Highland Crystal could still be improving and may be capable of stepping forward in a race like this. Juvenile contests often reward horses who continue to progress through the season, and Mike feels this runner could fit that profile.

Juan – Maestro Conti

Juan points out that the Triumph Hurdle is often one of the trickiest races of the week to assess because many of the runners are still learning their trade over hurdles. The early pace is usually strong, and inexperienced horses can make mistakes when asked to quicken down the hill.

Maestro Conti has shown a composed jumping style in his previous runs, which could be a key asset here. Juveniles that can stay balanced down Cheltenham’s downhill section before the home straight often gain an advantage over those that struggle with the track. If he maintains that control and keeps jumping accurately under pressure, he could handle the unique demands of this race better than most.

Claire – Proactif

This selection comes directly from Ron “Chopper” Harris, who likes the look of this Paddy Mullins-trained runner. When Chopper spots a Mullins horse he likes, Claire is always happy to back his judgement.

Abby – Proactif

Abby admits this one made her laugh purely because of the unusual spelling. Sometimes that’s all the reasoning required.

14:00 – William Hill County Handicap Hurdle

Mike – Karbau

Mike believes Karbau could be suited to the demands of a competitive handicap like this. If he settles into a good rhythm early and handles the pace of the race, he could be capable of running a big race.

Juan – Ndaawi

Juan explains that the County Hurdle is typically one of the fastest-run races of the Festival. With so many runners competing for position, the field tends to stretch quickly once they swing down the hill towards the final flights.

Because of that, horses that can travel strongly through traffic without losing momentum are often the ones that finish best. Ndaawi has shown the ability to move smoothly through a race while maintaining his jumping rhythm. In a contest where gaps open and close quickly, that agility and balance could prove crucial.

Claire – Sinnatra

Our duo fancied this runner —because of their love of Frank Sinatra. Sometimes a name alone is enough to catch Chopper’s attention.

Abby – Absurde

Abby admits she couldn’t resist the name. A bit of absurd behaviour feels very appropriate for a Friday afternoon at Cheltenham.

14:40 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase

Mike – Dinoblue

Mike believes Dinoblue has shown enough quality to be a strong contender in this race. If she produces her best form and jumps well, she could be difficult to beat.

Juan – Dinoblue

Juan notes that mares’ chases at Cheltenham often reward horses that jump economically rather than spectacularly. Because the races can become tactical early on, conserving energy over each fence becomes increasingly important as the tempo rises approaching the final circuit.

Dinoblue has developed a very efficient jumping style, allowing her to maintain momentum without losing ground at her fences. In races where margins are tight, that consistency can make a significant difference. If she keeps that smooth rhythm over the obstacles, she should remain competitive when the race begins to intensify after the final bend.

Claire – Panic Attack

Ron “Chopper” Harris believes this Skelton-trained mare could run a big race and was keen for Claire to include her among the selections.

Abby – Dinoblue

Abby decided that after avoiding too many favourites earlier in the week, it might be time to back one. Dinoblue was the obvious choice, and a beautiful chestnut horse which is her second favourite to the Greys.

15:20 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Mike – Doctor Steinberg

Mike believes Doctor Steinberg could be well suited to a stamina test like the Albert Bartlett. If he settles into a good rhythm early on, he may have the stamina to stay strongly up the hill.

Juan – Thedeviluno

Juan describes the Albert Bartlett as one of the most physically demanding novice races of the entire Festival. The distance, combined with a relentless early gallop, means the race often turns into a battle of stamina rather than speed.

In these contests, horses that race too freely early on frequently struggle to maintain their effort once the field turns for home. Thedeviluno has shown he can settle into a steady rhythm and maintain that pace over longer trips. That ability to conserve energy through the first mile could allow him to keep finding more when others begin to tire in the closing stages.

Claire – Johnnys Jury

Claire believes this horse will stay the trip well and could grind his way into contention late in the race.

Abby – Doctor Steinberg

Abby describes this as a simple “good vibes” pick — sometimes that’s the best system of all as we have found out.

16:00 – Cheltenham Gold Cup

Mike – Gaelic Warrior

Mike believes Gaelic Warrior has the talent required to compete at the highest level. If he produces his best performance on the day, he could be a serious contender in the Festival’s biggest race.

Juan – Gaelic Warrior

Juan explains that the Gold Cup is ultimately a test of sustained excellence over three and a quarter miles. Unlike many championship races, the pace is rarely explosive early on. Instead, the pressure gradually builds as the field begins the second circuit, with accurate jumping and energy management becoming increasingly important.

One of the defining moments in the race often comes between the third-last and second-last fences, where horses that have travelled comfortably begin to separate themselves from those already under pressure. Gaelic Warrior possesses the cruising speed to maintain a prominent position without being fully extended, which can be a major advantage in a race where conserving energy for the final climb is essential.

If he jumps cleanly through the middle phase of the race and remains within striking distance approaching the last two fences, his natural pace could allow him to quicken at a stage where many rivals are already beginning to tire. That combination of stamina, rhythm, and acceleration is often what defines a true Gold Cup contender.

Claire – Jukebox Man

Claire admits this selection was influenced by the team’s shared fondness for Harry Redknapp, making Jukebox Man an easy choice for the family partnership.

Abby – Gaelic Warrior

Abby was immediately drawn to the name, which gives her strong fantasy-adventure vibes — perfect for a race as dramatic as the Gold Cup.

16:40 – St James’s Place Hunters’ Chase

Mike – Wonderwall

Mike believes Wonderwall could run well if the race unfolds in his favour. Experience and stamina are often key factors in hunters’ chases, and this runner appears capable of handling the challenge.

Juan – It’s On The Line

Juan explains that hunters’ chases often develop differently from professional races because the tempo can fluctuate significantly depending on how the amateur riders approach the early stages.

That unpredictability places extra emphasis on horses that are reliable jumpers and capable of maintaining a consistent gallop regardless of how the race unfolds. It’s On The Line has shown that level of reliability over fences, which could be particularly valuable if the race becomes tactical before the final mile.

Claire – Wonderwall

This is Claire’s own selection rather than her father’s — inspired by her love of Oasis.

Abby – It’s On The Line

Abby chose this simply because she liked the name.

17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Mike – Wendrock

Mike believes Wendrock could be capable of running well in what is usually a fiercely competitive handicap to close the Festival.

Juan – Fiercely Proud

Juan notes that the Martin Pipe is often targeted months in advance by trainers who feel their horses may still be ahead of the handicapper. Because of that, the race frequently features improving horses rather than exposed handicappers.

Fiercely Proud appears to fit that profile, having shown gradual progression through the season. In large-field handicaps like this, horses that remain patient early before making steady ground from the back half of the field often finish strongly once the leaders begin to tire.

Claire – Jump Allen

Ron “Chopper” Harris selected this one because the name reminded him of his brother Allan — making it a sentimental final pick for the week.

Abby – Air Of Entitlement

Abby’s final selection of the Festival comes down to the love of the silks colours.

With the Cheltenham Gold Cup set to crown the champion of the week and the final races offering plenty of competitive handicaps, Day 4 promises a dramatic finish to both the Festival and our tipping competition.

We wish you all a fantastic final day of another memorable week at Cheltenham.

Our attention now very much turns to the Flat season, with our two-year-olds getting closer to the racecourse. Shares are still available, and we would love to welcome you to the Legacy Racing team.

See you soon!