Cheltenham Cup preview: Historic Gold Cup bid for Paul Townend and Galopin Des Champs
Jockey Paul Townend celebrating on Galopin Des Champs in 2024
Cork jockey Paul Townend and Galopin Des Champs can join the greats of the sport as they chase a third consecutive Gold Cup on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Best Mate was the last horse to complete the treble and his trainer Henriette Knight is fully behind the Irish superstar.
Galopin Des Champs has lit up the domestic season with two breathtaking performances at Leopardstown and is a brilliant jumper.
The opposition is led by the Joseph O’Brien-trained Banbridge who was a super winner of the King George while his trainer is a master at getting them right for the big day.
Corbetts Cross has been brought along nice and steadily by Emmett Mullins all season and began his career with Eugene O’Sullivan down at Lombardstown.
But on all known form it is impossible to oppose Galopin Des Champs and this incredible chaser can join the greats at Cheltenham today.
Well-known pundit and former bookmaker Johnny Dineen has seen it all at Cheltenham and expects Galopin Des Champs to join a famous roll of honour.
“Galopin is impossible to oppose following his victory at the Dublin Racing Festival. At the same time I wouldn’t be taking that short a price about a favourite around Cheltenham," Johnny Dineen said.
"We have seen earlier in the week what can happen. The McManus team have supplemented Inothewayurthinkin which is interesting as the plan with this horse had been the Aintree Grand National all along.
"Henry De Bromhead has won the race a couple of times and he runs Montys Star. A Gold Cup is a supreme test for horse and jockey and never fails to disappoint.
"Galopin Des Champs has been a hell of a horse over the last few seasons and on all known form should win this afternoon for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins."
The Triumph Hurdle gets the final day underway and Joe Donnelly’s Lulamba must have a great chance here for Nicky Henderson.
Bloodstock agent Jerry McGrath is a big part of Henderson operation and purchased the horse for Donnelly. The high-profile Cork owner was out of luck earlier in the week when State Man came crashing down at the last hurdle with the race at his mercy.
“Lulamba is a gorgeous horse and was very impressive when he won back in January at Ascot," McGrath said.
"He will be a beautiful horse next season and has a big frame to fill out in.
"East India Dock is a horse we respect but we think our horse has a great chance and has been working well.
"He has looked very good this winter and the sport needs superstars like him.”
Doneraile’s Darragh O’Keeffe combines with east Cork owners and the favourite The Big Westerner in the three-mile Albert Bartlett Hurdle.
This mare looks very talented and has already won twice this season.
Unfortunately, favourities have an awful record in the race which has a habit of throwing up big-priced winners.
“The Big Westerner has been great all season and her work has been very good at home. Henry De Bromhead always felt this race would suit her and as a trainer there is no better man at placing horses around Cheltenham," O’Keeffe said.
Elsewhere on the card, the County Hurdle is another very competitive handicap with the Willie Mullins-trained Kargese being laid out for this valuable handicap. Mullins is mob-handed in this with the mare looking well handicapped to go close.
Dinoblue looks a big player for JP McManus in the Mares Chase.
She finished runner-up in the race last season and the better ground will suit this year. She has been running in plenty of competitive races all season and will be cherry-ripe for this.
Willitgoahead has been a talking horse on the preview circuit and is now trained by Gordon Elliot.
His new owners Noel and Valerie Moran are big supporters of Elliot and can go home with a Cheltenham winner with this progressive Hunter Chaser.
Lulamba
Kargese
Dinoblue
The Big Westerner
Galopin Des Champs
Willitgoahead
Wodooh.
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