Galopin Des Champs is set to face 10 rivals in his bid to become a dual winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.
The defending champions heads into the Blue Riband in fine form after an emphatic success in the Savills Chase and getting the better of emerging foe Fastorslow in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup last time out.
Martin Brassil’s stable star has lowered Galopin Des Champs’ colours on two occasions, however, after landing last season’s Punchestown Gold Cup and the John Durkan at the start of this campaign.
Gerri Colombe will need to bounce back from a thrashing in the Savills Chase but the Cheltenham Gold Cup represents a long-term plan for connections.
Bravemansgame finished second in last season’s renewal but is winless in the current campaign and has to reverse the form with Gentlemansgame from the Charlie Hall Chase, while 2022 Brown Advisory scorer L’Homme Presse is another leading British contender.
Grand National hero Corach Rambler is given a crack at the top table and will not be found wanting for stamina when others begin to fold, although this is a warm up for a repeat bid at Aintree.
Runaway Welsh Grand National winner Nassalam is likely to enjoy the testing conditions, The Real Whacker needs to raise his game after a disappointing campaign in open company, while Monkfish and Jungle Boogie complete the field for Friday’s 15:30.
The latest Cheltenham Gold Cup odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
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Cheltenham Gold Cup verdict
Timeform: After a couple of defeats GALOPIN DES CHAMPS has reestablished himself as the best around in this division with Grade 1 wins at Leopardstown on his last 2 starts (particularly impressive on the first occasion) and can emulate former stablemate Al Boum Photo and become the ninth dual winner of jump racing’s Blue Riband. Fastorslow, who beat the selection twice last year and chased him home at Leopardstown last month, can fill the forecast spot ahead of last year’s runner-up Bravemansgame.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Cheltenham Gold Cup runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2024.
Bravemansgame
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Last season’s King George hero was clear of the rest when second to Galopin des Champs in this last year. A bit below that level when runner-up on all 3 outings this term, although he wasn’t helped by being hampered by the departing Shishkin when 1½ lengths second to Hewick in King George latest.
****
Corach Rambler
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Derek Fox Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Fended off Fastorslow to land a second successive win in Ultima at last year’s Festival and followed up in the Grand National at Aintree. Off since finishing a respectable 15½ lengths third of 4 in the Betfair at Haydock in November and needs improvement to get seriously competitive at this level.
**
Fastorslow
Trainer: Martin Brassil Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Inflicted defeats on Galopin des Champs in Grade 1s at Punchestown in April and November of 2023 but last year’s Gold Cup winner saw him off by 4½ lengths in the Irish version at Leopardstown (3m, soft) last month. Had wind surgery since then. Should go well but might find his old rival too strong.
****
Galopin Des Champs
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Most impressive when seeing off Bravemansgame in this 12 months ago. Suffered defeats to Fastorslow at Punchestown on his next 2 starts but back to his best when winning Savills and Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown this winter, beating Fastorslow by 4½ lengths in the latter. Hard to beat.
*****
Gentlemansgame
Trainer: M. F. Morris Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Has quickly established himself on the staying chasing scene, having only his third start over fences when claiming the scalp of Bravemansgame in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby (3m, heavy) in November. Not seen since but no surprise were he to progress again for a trainer who has won this before.
***
Gerri Colombe
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Dual Grade 1 novice chase winner last term. Bagged another success at the highest level when edging out Envoi Allen on his Down Royal return but his Gold Cup aspirations took a significant dent when no match for Galopin des Champs in the Savills at Leopardstown over Christmas. Given time since.
***
Hewick
Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon Jockey: Non-Runner Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Non-Runner
Jungle Boogie
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Won bumper, hurdle and chase on first 3 starts for Willie Mullins. Lost unbeaten record when fourth in 2m Cork Grade 2 on return from long absence in December but quickly back to winning ways when stepped up to 23f at Tramore (Grade 3) on New Year’s Day. A lot more needed here but he is unexposed.
**
L’Homme Presse
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Top-class chaser who was off for over a year after a late unseat in last season’s King George but his comeback win at Lingfield in January suggests he retains his ability. Not seen to best effect over 21f on a right-handed track when second to Pic d’Orhy in Ascot Chase since and this more suitable.
***
Monkfish
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Mr P. W. Mullins Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Highly promising novice chaser in 2021 who has shown he’s still capable of smart form back hurdling since returning from a long absence last spring, winning 3m Galway Grade 2 on reappearance in January. This a big ask back chasing but he goes well on testing ground.
***
Nassalam
Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Niall Houlihan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Has reacted very positively to blinkers, producing a really smart performance when turning the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (heavy) over Christmas into a procession. A different kettle of fish trying to dominate a field of this calibre but not ruled out if the ground is similarly testing.
***
The Real Whacker
Trainer: Patrick Neville Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
3-3 in novice chases here last season, culminating with a narrow defeat of Gerri Colombe at this meeting. Hasn’t been able to take it up another notch this term, his fourth to Hewick in King George and second in Cotswold here suggesting he’ll come up short unless a visor sparks improvement.
**
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