Impossible to argue with – my Cheltenham Gold Cup tip has always been top class
NOT many horses have won two Gold Cups in a row, but Galopin des Champs is ready to do so this afternoon on the final glorious day of Cheltenham 2024.
If the Grand National is the people’s race, then there’s no doubt that the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is the one for the purists.
Only eight horses have won the award more than once, most recently Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020.
He was trained by Willie Mullins, as was of course Galopin des Champs, and I strongly believe the latter is a classier horse than his heroic former stablemate.
The winner of 11 of his 17 starts, Galopin des Champs infamously fell into the bag with the 2022 Turners.
But since then, under the excellent Paul Townend, he has proven himself to be the star fighter in the business, despite two Punchestown defeats to current opponents Fastorslow.
In both the Savills and Paddy Power Gold Cups, Galopin des Champs looked supreme. It’s impossible to be against him.
However, this is a deep Gold Cup, even without Shishkin’s glaring absence, and if something goes wrong it’s a wide open event with a number of possibilities.
The best of these for me is Corach Rambler, who loves this place and has been an Ultima hero of late, somehow landing the Grand National.
He might find a spot for Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox.
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The final day of Cheltenham 2024 starts with the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle over two miles and a furlong. Now that Sir Gino is gone, everything here has changed.
NURBURGRING was a good third in a Class 2 at Leopardstown last time with the useful Kargese in second.
My hopes were strong that day and I suspect he has strong claims for Joseph O’Brien and JJ Slevin.
The County Handicap Hurdle is over two miles and a furlong.
A bit boring, but KING OF KINGSFIELD will have a very hard time keeping out the spots for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy.
The Gigginstown runner was third behind class Ballyburn and Supreme hero Slade Steel at Leopardstown last time out and a score of 140 could be very generous. Worth a few pounds each.
Another Grade 1 in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle over three miles.
CAPTAIN TEAGUE is eager for a step up in the trip and this is his chance to shine in front of champion Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden.
Last year’s third 2023 Bumper did well to land the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury last time, but he’s always crying out for longer distance and he’s getting ground he likes. Another Each selection.
Hunter Chase now times in the St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup over three miles and two furlongs.
My two big preferences this week have always been Chianti Classic – which arrived on Tuesday – and ITS ON THE LINE which goes here for Emmet Mullins.
Last year’s runner-up has been in great form since then, and while he’s a character who can do some strange things along the way, I expect him to perform one spot better this time around.
In the beautiful Class 2 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase over a long two miles and four furlongs, many believe Dinoblue is a good thing, but I like her stable companion from the Willie Mullins yard ALLEGORY DE VASSY.
Paul Townend is at the top and she has just £3 in ratings as the favourite.
I believe the yard changed a few things in her for this and she won well at Naas last time.
Finally, Cheltenham 2024 comes to an end with the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle over a distance of two and a half miles.
TEDDY BLUE is a huge prize for Niall Houlihan and Gary Moore, but I think he could defy the odds.
This trip may increase his stamina, but I’m risking him either way.
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