Is Ireland's Gold Cup domination about to end? Tom Segal and Paul Kealy are in agreement

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Britain have not won the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup since 2018, but the Racing Post's two expert tipsters believe this is the year they will finally end the Irish domination.

Three of the top six in the Gold Cup market are British-trained, with 4-1 favourite Fact To File potentially being supplemented. Jango Baie and King George VI Chase winner The Jukebox Man are expected to head the home team.

Not since Native River eight years ago have Britain enjoyed victory in the Cheltenham Festival pinnacle, but Tom Segal believes Britain's chief hope could be another candidate.

Segal has narrowly sided with Irish and Welsh Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs to give Rebecca Curtis and Wales a famous success.

Haiti Couleurs: Tom Segal thinks he has a big shout in the Cheltenham Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Speaking on the Racing Post's In The Know YouTube show, sponsored by Boylesports, Segal said: "I think the British might win this. Haiti Couleurs gets a lot of bad press, but all he does is win races, whatever it is, and he wins easily. No one knows where his ceiling is. 

"He's a lot better than Inothewayurthinkin was before winning this last year. He's done a lot in a short space of time and he has won at Cheltenham. He could easily win it. He's a seriously top-class horse. I think he'll be a lot bigger price on the day too."

Fellow ace tipster Paul Kealy is sticking with The Jukebox Man to be the first horse to complete the King George and Gold Cup double since Long Run.

He said: "He's not a Cheltenham Festival winner, but he near enough was in the 2024 Albert Bartlett and was only beaten a head.

"He handles the track and there's loads to like about him. If you ask me to give a 1-2-3, it'd be a different one I'd give you tomorrow, but at the moment, I'm very much positive on him."

Both tipsters are against Galopin Des Champs in his bid to regain his title and land a third Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Kealy said: "I thought he was really good first time – as good as he's ever run on his comeback – but maybe he bounced a bit last time. He'd need proper soft ground to win."

Segal added: "I don't fancy him at all. Last year's race was a complete shambles and completely fell apart, but this time you've got four or five serious contenders in there. He'll have to be as good as when he won it the first time to win again."

WATCH: Cheltenham Festival Ante-post Preview | Tips from Tom Segal & Paul Kealy

More key insight from In The Know

I was pretty impressed with King Of Answers last week. It wouldn't surprise me if he lines up in the Ultima. He jumped like a stag from the front and could go up a fair bit for that – it could be as much as 10lb – but he looks like a horse who is pretty well handicapped
Kealy wants to see a Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore-trained chaser among the handicap entries on Tuesday

I'd have sent Ben Pauling a Valentine's card if Diva Luna runs. He said everything that could possibly go wrong did last year, but we don't know how good she is. She absolutely bolted up in the Aintree bumper a few years ago and has a ton of ability. The fact she was going to run in a Grade 1 last time suggests how highly they rate her
Segal is taking a chance on a well-touted novice in the Mares' Chase

Banbridge was only touched off in a King George, is a Cheltenham Festival winner over hurdles and won an Arkle trial here. If he gets decent ground, he's clearly a miles better horse than Heart Wood. If the top two don't run, he's the most likely winner
Kealy is sweet on Banbridge in the Ryanair Chase

He's won easily the last twice and he just looks an out-and-out stayer. He looks stronger as he's gone on and his pedigree says he'll stay all day long. He's an absolute certainty to improve at this trip and will be a major player
Kealy also likes the look of Spinningayarn in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

In The Know best bets for the Cheltenham Festival

Tom Segal: Thedeviluno (Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, March 13)

Thedeviluno15:20 Cheltenham

View Racecard

Jky: Tnr: Paul Nolan

Paul Kealy: Spinningayarn (Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, March 13)

Spinningayarn15:20 Cheltenham

View Racecard

Jky: Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Ross Brierley: Heart Wood (Ryanair Chase, March 12)

Heart Wood16:00 Cheltenham

View Racecard

Jky: Tnr: Henry De Bromhead

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