7 Tips for Cheltenham - No. 7 Galopin Des Champs

Every horse has its own personality and idiosyncrasies and this contributes tremendously to the intrigue of the Cheltenham Festival. Mishaps and shock results are abundant and it leaves punters to mull over, debate and question certain horses.

Galopin Des Champs is one of them. If the same formidable force we saw winning the 2023 Gold Cup turns up on Friday, then he should record a straightforward, consecutive victory. However, if he is lacking a little zip and is not feeling full of his usual vim and vigour, a surprise winner may well emerge.

Winning back-to-back Cheltenham Gold Cups is an almighty feat, although it wasn’t long ago that trainer Willie Mullins added this achievement to his vast portfolio of top-level triumphs.

In 2020, Paul Townend steered Al Boum Photo around the famous new course at Prestbury Park to win his second Gold Cup on the bounce for Closutton.

This year, Willie Mullins seeks to emulate that success with Galopin Des Champs, who is a deserved favourite with Unibet at odds of 5-4.

Trainer: Willie Mullins

Jockey: Paul Townend

Owner: Audrey Turley

Race record: 2P61111F11112311

This season did not start as planned for the eight-time Grade 1 winner, when arch rival, Fastorslow, saw him off for the second time in the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase in November.

Connections found nothing amiss after the race but, it is fair to say the eight-year-old was below his best. He returned to the track in December full of his usual zest, winning the Grade 1 Savills Chase in sensational style. He demolished his rivals by an outstanding 23 lengths, with Gerri Colombe, who is certainly no mug, trailing in second.

This year’s Gold Cup favourite subsequently decided to put Fastorslow firmly in his place on his next run in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival, reversing the form and beating him readily.

Willie Mullins expressed his delight after the race:

“It was a terrific performance. He did it the hard way, out in front and jumped from fence to fence. He didn't wait around for anyone and did everything right.

“Paul was very happy with him. He set his own pace which is hard to do on soft ground. Paul made sure that he was going to go fast enough and try and suck the energy out of the ones behind, which he did.”

Looking at previous form, Fastorslow should represent his biggest threat. Trainer Martin Brassil is confident his stable star can stay the trip and it would be a surprise if he finishes out of the places.

Shishkin is another to ponder for punters as he is certainly one of racing’s quirky types and likes to do things on his terms. Nicky Henderson’s main hope was unlucky in the King George at Christmas, stumbling just after two out, when looking the likely winner.

Gerri Colombe was staying on strongly last year up the Cheltenham hill and is another who could fill the places, while Mouse Morris is an astute trainer and Gentlemansgame would not be in the line-up if he considered him without a chance.

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