Winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the pinnacle of any steeplechasing achievement that connections could dream of collecting. Twenty two fences around the undulating three miles, two and a half furlongs of the hallowed Prestbury Park turf have unearthed some of the sports greatest names, and the whole racing world will be glued to the spectacle to see whether Galopin Des Champs can emulate Golden Miller, Arkle, Cottage Rake and Best Mate to become the just the fifth horse in joining the illustrious list of honours to win three Gold Cups.
Galopin Des Champs
(Willie Mullins/Paul Townend)
The reigning dual Gold Cup hero returns to his stomping ground to land a historic hattrick in the race, and he’s once more in pole position to come out on top. Though beaten in the John Durkan, it was a pleasing effort nonetheless having posted a 2lbs higher RPR than when he was third in the contest last season, and he’s had a carbon copy season subsequently, winning both the Savills and Irish Gold Cup in dominating fashion. The son of Timos is clearly at the peak of his powers, and having already scared off his stablemate Fact To File, Galopin Des Champs is the one they all have to beat.
Banbridge
(Joseph O’Brien/JJ Slevin)
The King George hero threw his hat into the Gold Cup ring having collared Il Est Francais late on in the Kempton Grade One, bidding to become only the fifth horse, and the first since Long Run to complete the King George/Gold Cup double in the same season. Having only tried three miles once and beaten 103L as a 5/2F, his stamina was far from assured for the Boxing Day contest, but given how strong Banbridge was at the line, he certainly shrugged off any doubts in that department. His course form reads 119 with soft ground an excuse for the latter, and its worth noting he did win the Martin Pipe a year after Galopin Des Champs did, before Gold Cup success. The drying ground entitles him to some respect, but it is worth noting that Kempton over three miles is entirely different to 3m2f in the Gold Cup. He’s 2/2 thus far in the cheekpieces, and this strong travelling classy son of Doyen could rate the chief threat to Galopin Des Champs.
Inothewayurthinkin
(Gavin Cromwell/Mark Walsh)
Inothewayurthinkin has been supplemented for the Gold Cup at a cost of £25,000, and a fourth placed finish would suffice in recouping that fee along with pocket change for connections. The yard have campaigned him with a view to the Grand National this season having landed gamble in the Kim Muir last term before going on to win the Grade One Mildmay Novice’ Chase at the Aintree Festival, parachuting in to the higher echelons of steeplechasing stayers. He was a huge eye-catcher in the Irish Gold Cup under Keith Donogue last time out, picking off beaten rivals in rear to stay on strongly under hands and heels. While there’s no doubting his engine, his slightly inconsistent jumping might hinder his chances to get much closer to Galopin Des Champs than last time, particularly if the ground continues to dry up.
Monty’s Star
(Henry De Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore)
Gold Cup success has become synonymous with the formidable Blackmore/De Bromhead duo of late, with the pair teaming up to land back to back renewals in 2021/2022 with A Plus Tard and Minella Indo, who followed each other home in both contests. Barry Moloney owned Minella Indo and Monalee, and he has the latter’s half brother in Monty’s Star who he’ll be hoping can go three places better in the sports crowning glory. Having finished second in both the Browns and Punchestown Champion Chase last season, better could’ve been expected on seasonal debut at Tramore for all the form was reversed with the winner next time out when fifth to Galopin Des Champs. Monty’s Star potentially paid the price for following Galopin Des Champs throughout there, but he shapes as one who’ll relish the extra two furlongs of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Rest of the Field
On ground he ideally doesn’t want, Corbetts Cross ran an excellent race to stay on to finish second to Pic D’orhy in the G1 Ascot Chase last time out and can’t be entirely discounted on the back of that prep. He won the National Hunt Chase in an absolute route last season, and ran an even more admirable race given his novice status when third to Gerri Colombe in the Aintree Bowl. The Gold Cup was flagged immediately, but he will want it softer and his jumping still leaves something to be desired.
Gentlemansgame pulled up in this last season, when supposedly Mouse Morris’ horses weren’t all that right, but his subsequent RPR’s of 162, 158, 165 and 158 would merit him frame possibilities, particularly on the balance of his Saville’s third. He doesn’t exude much confidence after last season though, but his back form with the likes of I Am Maximus and Klassical Dream suggest there is certainly a smart horse in there.
The Real Whacker ran a very promising race when finding a second wind to finish fourth in the King George last time out, and if stepping up on that effort then he could put behind him a dismal effort in this last season particularly given his defeat of Gerri Colombe in the 2023 Brown Advisory.
Ahoy Señor need a wind surgery to spark miracles to get him winning this having pulled up the last twice, and Royal Pagaille might have left his season in a gruelling renewal of the Betfair Chase.
Verdict
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is untouchable in the art of staying, and a third Gold Cup inevitably beckons providing he gets round. He’s one of the most remarkable horses in recent years that we’ve been blessed to see, with his form figures in G1’s reading 611F1111231112311.
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