Ben Pauling heads into the Cheltenham Festival 2026 with quiet conviction rather than bluster, believing he has assembled the strongest team of his training career — a squad headed by Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup contender The Jukebox Man.
At his Naunton Downs base, there was a sense of measured confidence as Pauling reflected on a journey that has brought four Festival winners — Willoughby Court (2017), Le Breuil (2019), Global Citizen (2022) and Shakem Up’arry (2024). Yet Cheltenham Festival 2026 feels different. Deeper. Stronger. More complete.
“This is the best team I’ve had going into The Festival,” he said. “There will be horses going to Cheltenham who might be our third, fourth or fifth best chance of the week who would normally be leading the way. That tells you everything.”
Cheltenham Festival 2026: A Stronger British Hand?
With renewed focus on the Prestbury Cup, British trainers are determined to close the gap on their Irish rivals. Pauling is realistic but encouraged.
“We are very aware of how dominant the Irish have been,” he admitted. “But I do believe we’ve got more competitive horses coming through. It’s been a long road to get to a point where we genuinely think we can compete.”
He is full of admiration for Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead, yet insists the younger generation of British trainers must now rise to the challenge.
“It’s important we stay competitive — the sport needs us to be.”
The Jukebox Man – Gold Cup Dream with Substance
The Jukebox Man is the headline act for Cheltenham Festival 2026 and arrives with both expectation and realism attached.
Owned by Harry Redknapp, the staying chaser has progressed steadily since returning from injury earlier in the season. His King George victory confirmed his talent, though Pauling is under no illusions about the task ahead.
“The performance he’s put up to date doesn’t traditionally win a Gold Cup,” he admitted candidly. “But if he improves again, he’ll be competitive — and he will need to.”
Pauling believes Cheltenham’s searching three-mile-plus test may actually suit his charge better than Kempton. A fluent jumper who travels sweetly through his races, The Jukebox Man’s tenacity proved decisive in top company earlier in the season.
“It was his will to win that got him back in front,” Pauling reflected. “That was asking every question of him — and he answered.”
The Gold Cup picture lacks a dominant standout, which only heightens the intrigue around Cheltenham Festival 2026. “On the 13th of March at four o’clock, something will step out of the crowd,” Pauling said. “I jolly well hope it’s us.”
Depth Beyond the Headliner
While The Jukebox Man commands attention, Pauling stresses this is no one-horse assault on Cheltenham Festival 2026.
Taurus Bay could line up in the Turners Novices’ Chase if conditions align, a horse Pauling regards as “out of the top drawer” but one to be handled with care.
Mondoui’Boy has thrived since joining the yard and holds entries in both the Turners and the Albert Bartlett, though connections are weighing up which test would suit him best.
Vanderpoel, an improving novice, is pencilled in for the Grand Annual after shaping with promise in recent outings.
Handstands may yet emerge as a lively contender. Following a breathing procedure earlier in the campaign, his work at home has delighted the team. “He’s like a bull in a china shop again,” Pauling said, hinting that a bold showing could be on the cards if lining up in either the Ryanair or another suitable target.
Mambonumberfive is under consideration for the Plate, where Pauling feels his robust handicap form could be well suited to the demands of the race.
Among the mares, Diva Luna heads to the Mares’ Chase in excellent order, while Meetmebythesea has a single entry in the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase and will take his chance if all remains well.
Measured Ambition
For all the optimism, Pauling remains grounded. His likely squad of 10 to 14 runners is not about quantity but readiness.
“If anything’s off the bridle halfway, they’re not right,” he said. “They deserve to be there.”
Cheltenham Festival 2026 may yet crown a new star from this emerging stable force. And while The Jukebox Man carries the banner, the strength in depth suggests this could be Pauling’s most compelling week on racing’s grandest stage.
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