The participation of defending champion Inothewayurthinkin in the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup is shrouded in uncertainty following a series of underwhelming performances this season. The star horse, owned by billionaire JP McManus, famously spoiled Galopin Des Champs' bid for an historic third victory in last year's prestigious race, but his current form has raised serious questions about his ability to compete at the highest level again.
A Shadow of His Former Self
This season, Inothewayurthinkin has been a shadow of the horse that triumphed at Cheltenham twelve months ago. His reappearance at Punchestown resulted in a defeat by 53 lengths, followed by another disappointing performance at Leopardstown over Christmas where he was beaten by 41 lengths. The situation worsened during Monday's Irish Gold Cup, where the horse was toiling and fell at the final fence, compounding concerns about his current capabilities.
Trainer's Candid Assessment
Trainer Gavin Cromwell, who serves as a William Hill ambassador, has been remarkably candid about his charge's prospects. "Inothewayurthinkin is fine after the Irish Gold Cup and he's back riding out now," Cromwell stated on Thursday. "He was unfortunate to fall at the last after getting tired, but thankfully he was just a bit winded after it and has come out of it fine. I actually thought he'd run an okay race to that point."
Cromwell acknowledged the improvement from Christmas but expressed disappointment at the fall. More significantly, he revealed the stark reality facing connections: "The reality of it is that he's now seen as an outside chance for the Gold Cup and he'll have to take a huge step forward to be competitive there."
Participation Hanging in the Balance
The trainer made it clear that Inothewayurthinkin's participation is far from guaranteed. "It is still up in the air as to whether he even goes," Cromwell admitted. "Unless we're very happy with him when the time comes, he won't be going to the Gold Cup." This represents a dramatic shift in expectations for a horse who was supplemented into the race last year and went on to claim one of jump racing's most coveted prizes.
Alternative Plans for Connections
Should Inothewayurthinkin not make the trip to Cheltenham, owner JP McManus may consider alternative options. The most likely scenario involves supplementing Fact To File into the Gold Cup as a replacement. Interestingly, Fact To File was removed from the field at the latest scratching stage under the belief he would contest the Ryanair Chase instead. However, his trainer Willie Mullins has since admitted that the Gold Cup option is likely to be discussed, creating additional intrigue around the race's composition.
Inothewayurthinkin's only remaining entry at the Cheltenham Festival is in the Gold Cup itself, where he currently stands as a 10-1 chance. However, those odds may lengthen further if Cromwell's doubts persist in the coming weeks. The racing community will be watching closely to see whether last year's champion can rediscover his winning form or whether connections will make the difficult decision to withdraw him from the defence of his title.
