BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup
Grade 3 Handicap, Newbury 15:45
£80,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
2m 3f 187y, Class 1  
Saturday 28th February 2026

BetPlay

1 Heltenham 20/1
2 Blow Your Wad 8/1
3 Teddy Blue 12/1
11 ran Distances: ½l, 10l, 9½l
Time: 5m 1.02s (slow by 9.02s)

Momentum in a title race is often measured not just in numbers, but in moments. At Newbury, Dan Skelton collected both.

Heltenham, so effective in this contest 12 months ago, returned to claim the race for a second time, doing so on an afternoon when Skelton’s prize-money tally for the campaign swept beyond last year’s total. The trajectory is unmistakable.

Fresh from Protektorat’s success at Kelso, the Skelton operation struck again, this time courtesy of a nine-year-old who had rather slipped beneath the radar. Sent off at 20/1, Heltenham travelled with the assurance of a horse far shorter in the betting. Charlie Todd, composed and economical, allowed him to find a rhythm before presenting him to challenge approaching the second last.

At that point Teddy Blue held sway, but the move was decisive. Heltenham surged past and for a few strides appeared to have settled the matter. The danger, however, came late and wide, as Blow Your Wad began to close with purpose.

The line loomed. The margin narrowed. But it was never quite enough. Heltenham, brave and resolute, clung on by half a length, defending his crown with determination rather than dominance.

Skelton, speaking at Kelso earlier in the day, struck a notably relaxed tone when discussing the championship picture. The trainers’ title, he suggested, “will take care of itself” this year.

On evidence of afternoons such as this, that may prove less a hope than a statement of intent.

Greatwood Gold Cup (Grade 3 Handicap)
£80,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 3f 187y, Class 1
11 ran
Going: Good to Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Heltenham 9 11-0 Dan Skelton Charlie Todd 20/1
2 ½ Blow Your Wad 8 11-10 Gary & Josh Moore Freddie Mitchell 8/1
3 10 Teddy Blue 8 10-13 Harry Derham Freddie Keighley 12/1
4 9½ Triple Trade 10 10-11 Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell 18/1
5 3½ Vincenzo 8 11-8 Sam Thomas Dylan Johnston 11/4F
6 21 Issam 8 11-9 Tom Symonds Callum Pritchard 7/1
7 6½  Koukeo 6 10-3 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Kevin Brogan 10/1
PU Glengouly 10 10-11 Faye Bramley Caoilin Quinn 22/1
PU Twinjets 9 12-0 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 11/2
PU Josh The Boss 7 10-12 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies Mr Jamie Neild 7/1
PU Pleasington 8 10-7 Olly Murphy Charlie Deutsch 13/2

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