Blueking d'Oroux is the sole selection for the 2026 Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The horse is expected to progress on his first start for Dan Skelton, having previously won two Grade Twos over hurdles for Paul Nicholls and shown solid novice chase form. Blueking d'Oroux's jumping improved with cheekpieces, and he holds a favourable handicap mark of 148 compared to his hurdles rating of 151. Key historical trends favour runners with Cheltenham experience and those rated between 137 and 147, both of which Blueking d'Oroux satisfies.
Odds, trends and ante-post tips for the 2026 Paddy Power Gold Cup
This handicap chase headlines the card at Cheltenham on Saturday 14th November
Blueking d'Oroux is our sole selection at 5/1
Harry Skelton riding Panic Attack (orange) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in 2025. (Getty)
The Paddy Power Gold Cup tops the billing on day two of the November Meeting at Cheltenham. This Grade Three Handicap Chase has been won by plenty of classy horses since it was created in 1960 - including Imperial Commander, who scored in 2008 before going on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup 18 months later.
I've taken a look through the betting for Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup and listed some key recurring trends, before picking out my best betting tips.
2026 Paddy Power Gold Cup Odds
Name
Odds
Meetmebythesea
5/2
Blueking d'Oroux
5/1
Quebecois
5/1
July Flower
7/1
Madara
8/1
Zurich
9/1
Bar
12/1
2026 Paddy Power Gold Cup Trends
18 of the last 19 winners had previously run at Cheltenham
16 of the last 19 winners were seven, eight or nine-years-old
15 of the last 19 winners had run in a Grade One over hurdles or fences
15 of the last 19 winners had run between five and nine times over fences
15 of the last 19 winners went off at 12/1 or shorter
15 of the last 19 winners carried 11-01 or less
14 of the last 19 winners were rated between 137 and 147
14 of the last 19 winners had won or placed over fences at Cheltenham
13 of the last 19 winners had run that season (including 9 of last 12)
Trends can be very useful when trying to pick your way through a handicap. For example, favourites have a particularly poor record in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, as do Irish horses, so that does whittle the field down somewhat.
However, they cannot be solely relied upon. Panic Attack by no means ticked off all of the trends above, but she seemed the best-handicapped horse going into last year's contest, which is why she ended up as my selection.
2026 Paddy Power Gold Cup Tips - Blueking d'Oroux
Horses leaving Paul Nicholls' yard and immediately finding improvement is a trend that has cropped up several times during the early weeks of the season, and seems likely to continue. Dan Skelton has already benefited from the Ditcheat exodus, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if BLUEKING D'OROUX (5/1) produced a career-best effort on his first start for the Skeltons.
Blueking d'Oroux won two Grade Twos over hurdles for Nicholls and didn't do much wrong during his novice campaign over fences last term. Harry Cobden's mount managed to win the Rising Stars at Wincanton, despite a couple of horrendous mistakes. Blueking d'Oroux's jumping improved dramatically with the application of cheekpieces in the spring, with Nicholls' runner finishing a close second under 11-11 in a handicap at Kempton before a fine effort in the Manifesto at Aintree.
Harry Cobden riding Blueking D'oroux (R) clear the last to win The Boodles Rising Stars Novices' Chase at Wincanton last November. (Getty)
Cobden rode Blueking d'Oroux aggressively from the front that day, but a significant error at the third-last allowed Koktail Divin and Mambonumberfive to move into a clear lead. To his great credit, Blueking d'Oroux rallied between the final two obstacles and seemed to be gaining on Koktail Divin as the leaders crossed the line.
Skelton has wisely decided to keep the cheekpieces in place for his recruit's stable debut at Cheltenham. As with many of Paul Nicholls' horses, Blueking d'Oroux doesn't have any Cheltenham Festival experience, but he did win the Masterson Holdings Hurdle on his most recent outing at Prestbury Park back in 2023.
5/1 isn't the most ambitious price. I did toy with the idea of putting up either Zurich or Release The Beast at longer odds. Yet, Blueking d'Oroux is definitely well-in off this mark of 148 - given that he's rated 151 over hurdles - and the progression that's likely to come from joining Dan Skelton's thriving stable makes him the most obvious winner of this historic handicap.
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Horse Racing Editor • 15+ Years of Experience, Horse Racing Analyst & Tipster
Jon has been a sports writer and tipster for over 15 years. Over the last decade, he has become completely immersed in all things horse racing. Every race is a puzzle that he is eager to solve.
Favourite races over jumps would include the Brown Advisory Chase (RSA) at the Cheltenham Festival and the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. On the flat, the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown is the race that excites most each season.
Favourite horses of all time include Vautour, Laurens, Road To Respect, Topofthegame, Saint Calvados and Elegant Escape.
