15 March 2024 , 16:28
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Willie Mullins claimed Galopin Des Champs had entered the “superstar” category after he completed back-to-back wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The 10-11 favourite completed the Mullins stable domination of this year’s Cheltenham Festival with a decisive victory in the meeting’s highlight, taking the trainer’s score to nine.
On the 100th anniversary of the Gold Cup, Galopin Des Champs joined a select band of dual winners of the race. His jockey Paul Townend entered the history books as he equalled the record for the most Gold Cup wins, joining Arkle’s jockey Pat Taaffe on four.
Only the loose Fastorslow, who unshipped his jockey seven fences out, threatened to interrupt their passage to victory, as he kept on running ahead of and alongside the field all the way to the line.
“I think he put himself into the superstar category to do what he did and the way he did it, with that loose horse there,” said Mullins. Paul was so positive on him. I have to say we are coming back next year to try and win a third one.”
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He went on: “He has the ability to do it. He just has to stay sound.
“The loose horse was the only concern I saw. He think he hit one fence early. After that it was easy. Paul was in the position he wanted to be in and he seemed to be travelling easily on him all the time.”
Galopin Des Champs; clinched his second win in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (AFP via Getty Images)Townend said winning the race was much harder than it looked.
“He used reserves that even I wasn’t sure were there,” he said. “I rode him different to last year and he was so brave for me. He pulled out all the stops again.
“His heart probably makes him a champion. The two times I got beat we were never really going to win but when I look back at it he was still there at the finish. Today he found reserves there that only the real special ones have.”
Gold Cup 2024 full result and odds
1 Galopin Des Champs 10-11F
2 Gerri Colombe 13-2
3 Corach Rambler 14-1
4 L’Homme Presse 16-1
5 Bravemansgame 14-1
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6 Jungle Boogie 16-1
PU Monkfish 18-1
PU Gentlemansgame 25-1
PU Nassalam 33-1
PU The Real Whacker 40-1
UR Fastorslow 8-1