Galopin Des Champs bids to round off a superb season by landing a fourth Grade 1 in a row when facing eight rivals in the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday.
Willie Mullins’ stable superstar has reeled off the Savills Chase, Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup and Cheltenham Gold Cup since losing to familiar foe Fastorslow in the John Durkan in the early months of the campaign.
Fastorslow is two from two against Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown, however, having also sprung a surprise to land last season’s renewal of this and trainer Martin Brassil will be hoping for a repeat.
Cheltenham Gold Cup third Corach Rambler makes the trip across the Irish Sea after failing to get beyond the first fence in the Grand National, King George winner Hewick will be fresh after a spring over hurdles at Aintree, while classy Conflated is likely to be in the mix coming the last.
Appreciate It, Capodanno, Gentlemansgame and Journey With Me complete the field for Wednesday’s 17:25, but the race is tinged with sadness after Shishkin, who was set to run, tragically passed away at the weekend.
The latest Punchestown 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.
Punchestown Gold Cup verdict
Timeform: GALOPIN DES CHAMPS had presumably taken too much out of himself in the Gold Cup when second to Fastorslow in this 12 months ago but he’s had an extra week to recover from his Cheltenham heroics this time around, so he’s fancied to reverse the placings with his old rival. Corach Rambler got no further than the first in the Grand National 18 days ago but was a superb third in the Gold Cup prior to that and can place in this, too.
*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
Punchestown Gold Cup runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Punchestown Gold Cup 2024.
Appreciate It
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Mr P. W. Mullins Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class hurdler though only has a maiden/novice win to his name over fences. No match for Journey With Me in Fairyhouse Chase at Fairyhouse (19.7f, heavy, 10/3) 30 days ago and easily passed over at this level.
*
Capodanno
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class chaser who got back to winning ways when landing Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January and similar form despite shaping as if the drop in trip was against him when fourth in the Ryanair. However, made it 2 successive Grand National no-shows 18 days ago and this is a tough ask.
*
Conflated
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Top-class chaser on his day but only success in last 2 seasons came in Savills Chase last term. Good placed efforts in Ryanair at Cheltenham (20.6f, soft) and Melling Chase at Aintree (19.9f, soft) last 2 starts but to find with the principals back up in trip.
***
Corach Rambler
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Derek Fox Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class chaser who was a most impressive winner of Grand National last season. Produced a career best when a cracking third in Gold Cup at Cheltenham but got no further than the first when bidding to defend his crown at Aintree 18 days ago. This very much Plan B.
***
Fastorslow
Trainer: Martin Brassil Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Inflicted defeats on Galopin des Champs in this race last year and Grade 1 in November but last year’s Gold Cup winner saw him off by 4½ lengths in the Irish version at Leopardstown (3m, soft) in February. Unfortunate unseat in Gold Cup after and is the obvious threat to the favourite.
****
Galopin Des Champs
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Outstanding staying chaser who recorded his 9th Grade 1 success when winning his second Cheltenham Gold Cup 7 weeks ago. Only second behind Fastorslow in this last year but fancied to make amends.
*****
Gentlemansgame
Trainer: M. F. Morris Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart staying hurdler who made a fine start over fences when landing the Charlie Hall (24.2f, heavy) at Wetherby in November. Never figured in Gold Cup but much better when fifth in Bowl at Aintree, left behind 2 out. Up against it again.
*
Hewick
Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon Jockey: Jordan Gainford Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Career-best effort when winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, albeit fortunate the race fell apart after 2 out. Missed the Gold Cup due to the ground and had a spin over hurdles at Aintree 18 days ago. Arrives fresh for this at least. Change of headgear.
***
Journey With Me
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart chaser who endured a miserable Punchestown Festival experience for the second time in as many years when falling in Grade 1 novice 12 months ago. Couldn’t justify favouritism on first run since at Navan in March but was a good winner of a Fairyhouse Grade 2 last month. This much harder.
***
Read More on the Punchestown Festival
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Punchestown Festival race times and day-by-day schedule
- Punchestown Festival Free Live Stream: Watch every race with Paddy Power
- Punchestown Race Card: Your ultimate Festival guide to day 2 on Wednesday
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
