The 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup could be a notable chapter in the race’s illustrious history if Galopin Des Champs can follow in the hoofprints of Best Mate and become the second horse in the 21st century to claim three successive wins.
In truth, a decisive win from the reigning champion is little more than the prestigious race deserves, although there have been astonishing results in the past, not least when Norton’s Coin, trained by Welsh dairy farmer Sirrel Griffiths, produced one of the all-time sporting shocks when landing the 1990 renewal at staggering odds of 100/1.
Needless to say, Galopin Des Champs is a red-hot favourite with the best Cheltenham betting sites for the marquee race of the week. Punters will be lucky to find Gold Cup odds bigger than 8/15 on betting apps for last year’s imperious winner to repeat his success.
Those odds could well fluctuate as the big day approaches, but this page will keep tabs on all of the latest market moves in the Cheltenham odds as the final Gold Cup runners are confirmed and those looking to wrestle the Gold Cup crown from the nine-year-old become clearer.
Cheltenham Gold Cup 2025 Betting Overview – The Main Contenders
Galopin Des Champs – The Horse to Beat?
The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old is an immovable force over fences, winning all 11 of his completed starts away from Punchestown.
He really should have completed the perfect dozen in last year’s Gold Cup, but a dramatic fall in the 2022 Turners Novices’ Chase robbed him of an unblemished Cheltenham Festival record.
However, it has been business as usual for the champ this term as he has routinely landed the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup (completing a hat-trick) to arrive at Cheltenham one of the hottest favourites of the 2025 Festival.
In truth, is it difficult to envisage defeat for one of the best chasers Ireland has produced in decades. Galopin Des Champs is tactically extremely versatile, goes on any ground and boasts the perfect blend of speed and stamina.
He is also blessed with a perfect temperament for the big occasion, in short he is the complete package and understandable strongly fancied by punters and pundits alike.
However, during Festival week some horse racing betting sites will offer Cheltenham promotions surrounding Galopin Des Champs and eagle-eyed players should look out for price boosts and enhanced odds over the margin of his expected victory.
The Betano Cheltenham offer does just that, boosting the Gold Cup odds on Galopin Des Champs to 30/1.
Key rivals – Who Can Challenge The Gold Cup favourite?
Banbridge and Fact To File look the classiest of Galopin Des Champs’ rivals, albeit the latter could well be rerouted to the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase the previous day.
King George VI Chase winner Banbridge could thrive in dry conditions. It is unlikely he will take his chance on any ground softer than good to soft given his stamina is far from confirmed over the three-and-a-quarter miles of the Gold Cup.
However, he did confirm that three miles is well within his remit with a strong staying performance at Kempton on Boxing Day and he boasts plenty of latent speed having been campaigned over distances shorter than the Gold Cup trip for the entirety of his 11-race chasing career.
Last year’s soft ground in the Ryanair Chase contributed to a 75-length defeat and trainer Joseph O’Brien will be praying for a dry week and minimal watering before Gold Cup day.
Each-Way Pick for Cheltenham Gold Cup 2025
As discussed Banbridge is the most likely danger to Galopin Des Champs, but he isn’t certain to run if the rains arrive, so it could be prudent to look beyond the obvious for the best each-way Gold Cup pick.
The likes of Corbetts Cross, winner of last season’s National Hunt Chase, could fit that criteria as his stamina is assured given he bolted up over 3m4f on heavy ground at the Festival 12 months ago.
He hasn’t been seen to true effect this term as yet, but he enjoyed a nice prep for the Gold Cup when runner-up to Ascot specialist Pic D’orhy over an inadequate trip in the middle of February.
At the age of eight, Corbetts Cross is reaching his prime and, if he can find an early rhythm at his fences, he could be frame material and a good vehicle for those Cheltenham free bets granted some cut in the ground.
Gold Cup Trends (since 2000)
- Four of the last five favourites have obliged
- No winners were aged 10 years or over
- Only Native River wore any sort of headgear
- Only two winners had completed more than 13 previous chase starts, none more than 20.
- Only two winners failed to finish 1st or 2nd last time out
- Only two winners had failed to already win that season
- All were already Grade 1 winners
- Only two winners were bigger than 10/1 in the betting
Cheltenham Gold Cup Past Winners (Last 10 Years)
Year |
Horse |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 |
Galopin Des Champs |
Paul Townend |
Willie Mullins |
7:05.14 |
2023 |
Galopin Des Champs |
Paul Townend |
Willie Mullins |
6:45.46 |
2022 |
A Plus Tard |
Rachael Blackmore |
Henry De Bromhead |
6:41.75 |
2021 |
Minella Indo |
Jack Kennedy |
Henry De Bromhead |
6:45.35 |
2020 |
Al Boum Photo |
Paul Townend |
Willie Mullins |
6:50.38 |
2019 |
Al Boum Photo |
Paul Townend |
Willie Mullins |
6:39.06 |
2018 |
Native River |
Richard Johnson |
Colin Tizzard |
7:02.60 |
2017 |
Sizing John |
Robbie Power |
Jessica Harrington |
6:36.10 |
2016 |
Don Cossack |
Bryan Cooper |
Gordon Elliott |
6:35.00 |
2015 |
Coneygree |
Nico de Boinville |
Mark Bradstock |
6:42.50 |
2014 |
Lord Windermere |
Davy Russell |
Jim Culloty |
6:43.88 |
Responsible Gambling
It is important that punters remember to bet responsibly during the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and beyond by utilising the multitude of tools that gambling sites provide.
Whether you are using an online casino UK, slot sites, online bookmakers, or any other gambling medium, be sure to check out and utilise the safer gambling tools, such as deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.
These facilities can stop gambling from getting out of hand. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling-related problems, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The service is free of charge and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Alternatively, there are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:
- BeGambleAware – For free, confidential help and advice
- GamCare – A national helpline, live chat and support group
- Gamblers Anonymous UK – A self-help group offering peer support meetings
- Gambling Therapy – Provides global online support and resources
- NHS Northern Gambling Service – Specialist clinics for problem gambling treatment
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