Can Galopin Des Champs build on Leopardstown victory at Cheltenham?
The Cheltenham Festival is a highlight of the horse racing calendar, attracting thousands of fans each year to witness some of the most exciting races in the sport. Prestbury Park has been home to some of the greatest moments in recent horse racing history, and this year looks to be no exception as thousands make their way to Gloucestershire for four days of exciting action.
As always, there is that aura of unpredictability surrounding Cheltenham. The idea that a race on the biggest spectrum can mean an upset is always on the cards. Indeed, those examining any horse racing betting site will be aware that an outsider could easily rewrite the history books at any of the Festival’s biggest races. Among these races, the Gold Cup is undoubtedly the most prestigious, featuring some of the best horses and jockeys from around the world competing for the coveted prize.
The festival’s history and traditions are deeply engrained in the world of horse racing, and every year, fans eagerly anticipate the excitement and atmosphere that comes with attending the event. It’s a chance for every horse, jockey and trainer to cement their legacy and of the latter group, Willie Mullins will be keen to add another Gold Cup to his collection of Cheltenham honours.
Mullins, the leading trainer at Cheltenham last year after a record-breaking 10 winners, will want to prevent Henry de Bromhead from making it three successive victories in the Gold Cup, with the Irishman winning in 2021 with Minella Indo before A Plus Tard ensured the prestigious race was retained by the County Waterford stable. Mullins has several horses running in this year’s Gold Cup including Franco De Port, Capodanno and Stattler, but his best chance is with Galopin Des Champs.
The Mullins-trained seven-year-old comes in as one of the favourites for this year’s Gold Cup at 15/8, right up there with De Bromhead’s duo of Minella Indo and reigning champion A Plus Tard. After a victory at Leopardstown in the Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup, Galopin Des Champs will look to carry that momentum over to English soil, with Mullins singing his praises after the win back at the start of February, his third in succession after wins at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.
“He’s just a really good horse and hopefully we can build on that with an extra two furlongs [at Cheltenham],” Mullins said. “There never was [a doubt about the trip], I was amazed people were doubting [him because] he’d never won over three miles over fences. He won over three miles as a novice over hurdles, which is way harder than doing it over fences.”
With Paul Townend aboard, the leading jockey last year, there’s every chance Galopin Des Champs can stop Rachael Blackmore and A Plus Tard, and entering in good form, Mullins must be feeling confident his team can get the business done and extend his record of 88 winners even further. Some have questioned whether he will stay the extra two-and-a-half furlongs, but that shouldn’t be something to worry about if he can build up enough of a lead. It will certainly be an interesting race to watch come the end of the Festival.
