Galopin Des Champs' class and stamina should prove the difference
Des Chase With Jockey The Repeat Act? Pic: Boodles Townend Harry Champs Paul Sportsfile After Celebrates Galopin Cup Murphy, Gold Cheltenham Winning
Galopin Des Champs can crown Willie Mullins’ history-making week by retaining his Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, the highlight on the final day of a Cheltenham Festival which raised as many concerns as it brought highlights.
The negatives won’t be of immediate concern to Mullins, who broke the one-hundred barrier on Wednesday evening, but there will be disappointment in Closutton if Galopin Des Champs fails to deliver.
After a seasonal debut ended in defeat, questions were raised about just how much last season had taken out of the now eight-year-old, but he dispelled the notion that he might be a spent force by producing arguably the best performance of the entire season when trouncing his rivals in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas festival.
He didn’t have the same wow factor when following up at the Dublin Racing Festival and yet he beat Fastorslow, who is second-favourite for Friday's race, quite comfortably.
If he is in the same form, and there is no reason to believe he will not be, his class and stamina should carry him clear up the hill.
Twelve months ago, at this Festival, the aforementioned Fastorslow was touched off in the Ultima Handicap and there is no reason he will not run another big race.
He has strong place claims but the horse who beat him here in 2023, Corach Rambler, makes each-way appeal at a big price. Twice a winner of that Ultima and, of course, winner of the 2023 Aintree Grand National, he jumps really well, has stamina in abundance, and can finish strongly to take a place in the frame.
When they clashed at Christmas, Gerri Colombe was a long way behind Galopin Des Champs, but he is not as inferior to the selection as that might suggest. In conditions that should suit, he can run a big race.
Connections of L’Homme Presse, who won the Brown Advisory Chase of 2022, have had to be patient with their star, who missed the whole of 2023. His two runs this season have been very good and at his best he could play a part, but he is probably best watched.
Last year’s runner-up, Bravemansgame, hasn’t won a race since the 2022 King George and a minor role is surely the best he can hope for.
In the absence of Sir Gino, the Grade One Triumph Hurdle has a much more open look to it, and Willie Mullins will fancy his chances of making a winning start to the day. He is responsible for seven of the 13 runners and can claim victory with Majborough.
JP McManus’ gelding, a winner of his only start in France, was pitched right in at the deep end for a Grade One on his first start for Mullins and in the circumstances, he ran a superb race to finish a close third behind stablemates Kargese and Storm Heart.
There ought to be plenty of improvement in him and he can take this at the expense of Nurburgring.
The latter has been a model of consistency since going over hurdles and his experience could count for plenty. He has strong each-way claims. Storm Heart is also worth considering.
The Grade One Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle looks wide open but Lecky Watson, who is one of the lesser-fancied runners from the Mullins yard, has strong claims.
While he was behind stablemate and leading fancy Readin Tommy Wrong on his most recent outing, he wasn’t ridden to best advantage that day. Better judged on his previous effort, when he pushed subsequent Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Slade Steel to half a length, and on his Champion Bumper form of 2023, when he finished a fine fourth behind A Dream To Share, Fact To File and Captain Teague, he represents each-way value at double-figure odds.
The Festival finale, the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, is traditionally one of the most competitive races of the meeting and this renewal is no different. Willie Mullins has won the race four times, most recently with subsequent Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, and he can claim a fifth win in the race courtesy of Quai De Bourbon.
He didn’t look like the finished article when winning his maiden at Naas or when following up at Clonmel, but it seems certain that a mark of 140 underestimates his ability.
The return to two and a half miles is a positive, as is the booking of Michael O’Sullivan for this conditional jockeys’ race, and he is just preferred to Waterford Whispers and Answer To Kayf.
1:30 Majborough
2:10 King Of Kingsfield
2:50 Lecky Watson
3:30 Galopin Des Champs (nap)
4:10 Its On The Line (nb)
4:50 Dinoblue
5:30 Quai De Bourbon
1:30 Nurburgring
2:10 Absurde
2:50 Search For Glory
3:30 Corach Rambler
4:10 Ferns Lock
4:50 Limerick Lace
5:30 Waterford Whispers