Cheltenham 2024 Gold Cup runners, tips and 1-2-3 prediction for showpiece race
Galopin Des Champs returns to Cheltenham aiming to clinch another double in the race for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend.
The Festival’s leading trainer and jockey pulled off back-to-back victories with Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020.
Galopin Des Champs heads into the race having settled an old score with the course when defeating Bravemansgame in 2023. A year earlier he was coasting to victory in the Turners Novices Chase when he came down after jumping the last fence.
Confidence is high again that he can account for Fastorslow, who beat him twice at Punchestown before Galopin Des Champs gained revenge at the Dublin Racing Festival, while the British challenge has been dented by the absence of Shishkin.
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Galopin Des Champs (Evens) - Righted the wrong of final fence exit with victory in sight in the 2022 Turners Novices’ Chase by defeating Bravemansgame last year. Suffered two surprise reverses at Punchestown behind Fastorslow but roared back to form with two statement victories at Leopardstown over Christmas and at the Dublin Racing Festival in Ferbruary. It’s his race to lose.
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Fastorslow (11-2) - Two of his three wins over fences have been at Punchestown where he twice accounted for Galopin Des Champs when the favourite was possibly not at his best. In their latest match in February he pushed his rival hard before succumbing by four and a half lengths. His assured jumping will be an asset at Cheltenham where he has been beaten a short head and a neck on two previous visits.
Gerri Colombe (9-1) - Lost out by a short head in last year’s Brown Advisory before ending season with easy Grade 1 win at Aintree. Claimed the considerable scalp of Envoi Allen first time out this season but was put in his place by Galopin Des Champs over Christmas at Leopardstown where he trailed the winner by 23 lengths.
Gerri Colombe: well behind Galopin Des Champs over Christmas (PA)L'Homme Presse (14-1) - Returned from a season’s absence to win at Lingfield in January but has questions to answer after run behind Pic D’Orhy next time in the Betfair Ascot Chase , when better was expected. While his trainer was happy enough, pundits and punters were concerned.
Bravemansgame (14-1 ) - Britain’s best hope a year ago and vying for the honour again due to the absence of Shishkin. Without a win this season when slightly short of his best in three winless starts so far including a length and a half defeat to Hewick in the King George at Kempton. Can do better after a freshen up.
Gentlemansgame (20-1) - Winner of two out of three over fences when he has claimed the notable scalps of Irish Grand National winner I Am Maximus and Bravemansgame at Wetherby in November. Could be a dark horse from a Gold Cup-winning stable.
Corach Rambler (20-1) - Last year’s Grand National winner is three-for-three at Cheltenham where he won back-to-back editions of the Ultima Handicap Chase, beating Fastorslow a year ago. Hasn’t shone yet this season but is expected to come good at this time of the year on his way back to Aintree.
Hewick - NON-RUNNER
Jungle Boogie (28-1) - History maker Rachael Blackmore, who won on A Plus Tard two years ago, rides a big outsider this time but any horse trained by Henry de Bromhead at this meeting can never be written off.
Monkfish: has won four out five races over fences (Getty Images)Monkfish (28-1) - A two-time Festival winner whose career has been blighted by injury setback since he won the 2021 Brown Advisory. Has not competed over fences since that campaign but returned to action in January to win the Galmoy Hurdle. Has won four out of five chases. A useful second string for Mullins.
Nassalam (33-1) - The runaway winner of the Welsh Grand National will have the conditions to suit. Gary Moore believes the handicapper over reacted to his 34 length Chepstow romp. The outcome of this race should settle the argument.
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The Real Whacker (40-1) - The front runner defeated Gerri Colombe when a novice last year and finished fourth in the King George and second in the Cotswold Chase most recently. Runs in a visor for the first time.
VERDICT: Without Galopin Des Champs this would be a very open race. Last year’s winner has continued to show his class, particularly over Christmas when he blew away his rivals to win the Savills Chase by 23 lengths.
Cautiously ridden a year ago, jockey Paul Townend should now have the confidence to be more assertive. The battle for the places could be a tighter contest, a race Fastorslow could edge. Monkfish could be the each-way value.
1 Galopin Des Champs, 2 Fastorslow, 3 Monkfish
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