The Flat season has reached its conclusion, and attention is now turning to the jumps.
And one of the first major meetings of the National Hunt season is already on the horizon.
Cheltenham's November Meeting takes place from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November 2026, bringing three days of competitive racing to Prestbury Park.
The highlight is Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup, a fiercely competitive handicap chase that regularly attracts some of the most exciting horses in the jumping game.
With the early ante-post market beginning to take shape, we've been looking through the leading contenders to see where the value might lie.
Here are our early Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026 tips, along with a preview of the three-day Cheltenham November Meeting.
Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026 Ante-Post Tips
Our Main Pick: Vincenzo
Ante-post odds: around 10/1
One horse who immediately catches the eye in the early betting is Vincenzo, and we're happy to put him forward as our main selection at around 10/1.
There's a particularly good reason for that…
Vincenzo finished runner-up in last year's Paddy Power Gold Cup, chasing home Panic Attack in the 2025 renewal.
That gives him something several of his potential rivals are still missing: proven form in this exact race.
Cheltenham's Old Course can be a demanding test, particularly when the pace is strong and the field is tightly packed. Having experience of the track and knowing how to handle its undulations can be a significant advantage.
Vincenzo has already shown he can cope with those demands.
Of course, finishing second last year doesn't automatically mean he'll go one better this time, and we'll want to see how his preparation develops over the coming weeks.
But at around 10/1, there's enough to like about his profile to make him an interesting early contender.
PADDY POWER GOLD CUP TIP: VINCENZO
Check Vincenzo's latest Paddy Power Gold Cup odds →
FRT Exclusive Boosted Odds on Vincenzo
FRT members can get an exclusive boosted price on Vincenzo for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
So, if you fancy our main selection for the big race, you can back him at better odds than the standard price currently available!
Vincenzo finished runner-up in last year's Paddy Power Gold Cup, proving he can handle the unique demands of Cheltenham's Old Course.
And with that experience under his belt as he bids to go one better this November, the exclusive boost makes him an even more appealing ante-post option.
GET EXCLUSIVE BOOSTED ODDS ON VINCENZO
Who Is Favourite for the Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026?
Meetmebythesea – Around 6/1
The early market currently has Meetmebythesea at the head of the betting, with prices around 6/1.
That's a relatively short price for a competitive Cheltenham handicap chase, especially several weeks before the race.
His position at the top of the market makes him an obvious horse to monitor, but there are still plenty of questions to answer before the final declarations.
In particular, we'll want to see how the weights shape up and whether the early favourite still offers value once the field becomes clearer.
At this stage, we're happier looking a little further down the betting.
Madara – Around 8/1
Another interesting name in the early market is Madara, currently around 8/1.
He has previous experience of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, having finished fourth in the 2024 renewal behind Il Ridoto.
That experience could make him an interesting alternative to the favourite.
He also represents another potential contender for Dan Skelton, who has gone close in this race on several occasions.
Regent's Stroll – Around 10/1
Regent's Stroll is another runner attracting attention at around 10/1.
He sits alongside Madara towards the front of the market, making him one to watch as the race approaches.
The key with these early markets is establishing which horses are definitely being aimed at Cheltenham and how their preparation progresses.
A lot can change between now and 14th November, particularly with the jumps season only just getting going.
View the latest Paddy Power Gold Cup ante-post odds →
What Is the Paddy Power Gold Cup?
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is one of the most prestigious handicap chases of the early National Hunt season.
First run in 1960, the race has a long history and was originally known as the Mackeson Gold Cup.
It's contested over approximately two miles and four furlongs on Cheltenham's Old Course, with runners facing the famous uphill finish.
Over the years, the race has produced some memorable winners, including Imperial Commander, Al Ferof and Splash Of Ginge.
More recently, Il Ridoto won the 2024 renewal, before Panic Attack took the honours in 2025.
One of the reasons this race is so appealing from a betting perspective is the variety of horses it attracts.
There are established handicap chasers who know exactly what's required at Cheltenham, alongside younger and potentially improving horses who may still have more to offer.
That mixture often makes for an intriguing betting contest.
Paddy Power Gold Cup Trends and Betting Considerations
There are a few things we'll be paying particular attention to as the race approaches.
Previous Cheltenham Form
Cheltenham is a unique test.
The undulating track, demanding fences and stiff finish can expose horses who have looked impressive elsewhere.
That's one reason we're interested in Vincenzo and Hoe Joly Smoke, who both ran well in this race last year.
Age and Experience
Recent renewals have generally favoured horses in the middle of their chasing careers.
Younger horses can still be improving, while experienced handicappers often bring valuable course knowledge.
Finding the right balance between experience and potential improvement is particularly important in a race like this.
Ground Conditions
November weather can have a significant impact on the race.
Soft ground can place more emphasis on stamina, while quicker conditions may favour horses who can travel strongly and maintain their speed.
We'll be keeping a close eye on the forecast and official going as the meeting approaches.
Handicap Weights
As with any major handicap, the weights will play a significant role.
A horse who looks attractively treated at this stage might face a tougher assignment once the final field is confirmed.
That's another reason to revisit the market closer to raceday.
Cheltenham November Meeting 2026: Dates and Festival Preview
The Paddy Power Gold Cup might be the headline attraction, but there's plenty more to look forward to across the three-day meeting.
Friday 13th November: Countryside Day
The meeting begins with Countryside Day, traditionally an afternoon of competitive jumps racing that gives us an early opportunity to assess some promising horses.
With the National Hunt season beginning to gather momentum, Friday's racing can provide useful clues for the months ahead.
One important change for 2026 is that the Cross Country Chase will not take place at this meeting.
Cheltenham has confirmed that the cross-country course will not be ready following the exceptionally dry summer, with the race instead moved to January's Trials Day.
Saturday 14th November: Paddy Power Gold Cup Day
Saturday is the main attraction.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is scheduled for 2.20pm, with a competitive field expected to tackle the intermediate-distance handicap chase.
There's also the Grade 2 Arkle Trial Novices' Chase, another race worth watching closely.
The Arkle Trial can offer an early indication of which novice chasers might develop into contenders for bigger prizes later in the season.
But all eyes will undoubtedly be on the Paddy Power Gold Cup, where we're hoping Vincenzo can go one better than last year.
Sunday 15th November: Greatwood Hurdle Day
The meeting concludes on Sunday with another of Cheltenham's most popular early-season handicaps.
The Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle is the feature race, run over approximately two miles.
It's a competitive contest that often attracts promising hurdlers alongside more experienced campaigners.
We'll be taking a closer look at the Greatwood entries and betting market nearer the time, once there's a clearer picture of the likely runners.
Our Early Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026 Verdict
There's still plenty of time before Cheltenham's November Meeting, and the early betting is likely to change as trainers finalise their plans.
Meetmebythesea currently heads the market, but we're particularly interested in two horses who have already demonstrated their ability in this race.
Vincenzo is our main selection at around 10/1, having finished runner-up in the 2025 renewal.
That previous Cheltenham performance makes him an appealing contender as he attempts to go one better.
In the meantime, you can check today's free horse racing tips here for our latest selections.
