Gaelic Warrior Emerges as Cheltenham Gold Cup Favourite After Galopin Des Champs Ruled Out

The ante-post market for the Cheltenham Gold Cup has shifted dramatically after the news that dual winner Galopin Des Champs will not line up in the 2026 renewal. The Willie Mullins star had been expected to play a major role in the Festival showpiece once again, but his absence has forced bookmakers to rapidly reshape the betting for the most prestigious staying chase of the season.

The biggest beneficiary of that market shake-up appears to be stablemate Gaelic Warrior, who has emerged as the clear favourite for the race following the latest odds updates with Paul Townend now almost certain to take the ride. With the dominant force of recent seasons now missing from the line-up, attention has quickly turned to whether the talented chaser can step forward and claim the sport’s ultimate prize in March.

In news that has rocked the racing world, 2023 and 2024 Gold Cup hero GALOPIN DES CHAMPS has cruelly been denied the chance to win back the title he yielded in 2025 at the eleventh hour. After Constitution Hill was confirmed to be staying on the flat and Marine Nationale was injured and denied his place in the Champion Chase, this is the final cruel blow to the Championship races at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

There is no denying that the shine has been rubbed off somewhat in these weeks leading up to what should be a wide open and intriguing Festival with these huge names all missing, but there was no potentially bigger story all week than Galopin reclaiming his crown so that opportunity being denied is particularly cruel. Nevertheless, in misfortune for some opportunity knocks for others and the chief beneficiary looks to be GAELIC WARRIOR, the stablemate at Willie Mullins' yard of Galopin who has now taken clear Gold Cup favouritism.

As a youngster he was thought of as a bit of an enigma but now nine and in his prime, he has become a much more consistent animal. He was set to be partnered by Patrick Mullins, a very good amateur but an amateur all the same, with Townend sticking loyal to the horse who has given him so many iconic days in the saddle. However, with Townend the number one rider at Closutton he will now almost certainly step up to take over in the pink and green Ricci silks on Gaelic Warrior.

No stranger to Cheltenham success, Gaelic Warrior won the Arkle in 2024 in commanding style by over eight lengths. He skipped the 2025 Festival in favour of a successful tilt and the Aintree Bowl, but has always seemed a slightly square peg aiming to fit in round holes at Closutton. Still, connections seem unsure what his true best trip is and that versatility has no doubt harmed his chance to become a real superstar of the game.

This season, however, he has been campaigned like the brilliant Grade 1 animal he is and every performance has seen him exemplify the talent and battling qualities. Last time out he was best of the rest behind a stunning Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival, so with that Closutton runner being sent to the Ryanair to defend his title he represents the strongest Irish challenger for racing's blue riband. Before that, he was involved in the tight King George finish with two other Gold Cup contenders Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man.

Although he did not get the victory that day, there was a whisker between the four finishers and with his record at Cheltenham impressive there is a decent case that Gaelic Warrior has the most leading claims for the Gold Cup. Patrick Mullins will be gutted to lose the ride but in the cold light of day, Townend taking over is a net positive and the markets have reacted as such. Now the clear favourite at 4/1, should Willie Mullins and Paul Townend have a sensational week then by Friday this could be a rock solid market leader for the biggest race of the week.