Local trainer Dan Skelton will be bidding to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the first time in his career when he saddles Grey Dawning in the Blue Riband event in the sport in March. His star chaser is set to line up in a star-studded field for the feature race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Skelton has had a lot of success in the sport over the last couple of years, but victory in the Gold Cup would be the highlight since he obtained his licence in 2013.
Grade One Victory at Haydock
Grey Dawning has put himself in the mix for the Festival showpiece event following his impressive Grade One success at Haydock earlier in the campaign. He is now 12/1 in the bet on horse racing market for the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
As the horse racing results show, Grey Dawning beat a strong field at Haydock that included Haiti Couleurs, Royale Pagaille, and Handstands. It was his second triumph over fences at the highest level.
Skelton has revealed that his horse may have one more run before the Gold Cup, but he has also stated he is not afraid to head straight to the Festival. Grey Dawning skipped Cheltenham in 2025, so this will be his first appearance in the most prestigious jumps race of the season.
Last Two Winners Set to Return to Cheltenham
The last two winners of the Gold Cup, Galopin Des Champs (2023 and 2024) and Inothewayurthinkin (2025), are both set to return to Cheltenham as they bid for more success in the 3m2f contest.
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS DEFENDS HIS CROWN! 🏆
Back to back @Boodles Gold Cup wins 💯 pic.twitter.com/lVMiGhiVxm
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 15, 2024
No horse since Best Mate in 2004 has won the Blue Riband race three times. Galopin Des Champs will be looking to match that feat this year. The 12-time chase winner was third in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on his seasonal reappearance. This will be his sixth consecutive appearance at the Cheltenham Festival, as he made his debut at the meeting in 2021.
Inothewayurthinkin will line up in this year’s Gold Cup as the defending champion. He was well beaten in his opening two starts of the campaign. If victorious at the Festival, he will be just the fourth horse to prevail in back-to-back years in the race this century.
Skelton on Course for Trainers Championship Title
The Cheltenham Gold Cup could end up a critical moment in the race for the British Trainers’ Championship this season. After a strong start to the campaign, Dan Skelton is currently on course for his maiden crown, and with over £600,000 in prize money in the race, Grey Dawning may help his trainer extend his lead in the standings.
It’s that man again…
Willie Mullins, champion trainer for the second year running! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/8tfBKIogEn
— The Jockey Club (@TheJockeyClub) April 28, 2025
Skelton finished second in the British Trainers’ Championship last season. Willie Mullins overtook the Midlands-based trainer following wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Grand National, and Scottish Grand National.
With Skelton expected to head to Cheltenham with a strong team this year, he will be hoping to extend his lead in the standings before the Grand National at Aintree.
The 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place on the 13th of March, and the final declaration for the race will be announced 48 hours before.
Article written by Ben Spencer
