We could be witnessing history right in front of our eyes in the long-distance chase division, and it’s being made by Galopin Des Champs, trained by Willie Mullins. The nine-year-old landed a third Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival last weekend.
In each of those victories, he’s followed it up with a Cheltenham Gold Cup win, do that again next month, and he would become a three-time Gold Cup winner. Just four horses have managed to do that before, the last being Best Mate, who won the race in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Golden Miller, a five time winner, Arkle, a three-time winner, and Cottage Rake, another three-time winner, are the other horses that have this race three times or more.
It’s very difficult for us to compare horses running in the present day with stars of the past, but if the Willie Mullins star can win at Cheltenham again, he surely has to go down as one of the greats.
Odds On for Gold Cup after Irish Success and Withdrawals
We’ve seen a double whammy affect the Cheltenham Gold Cup market over the past couple of days.
Firstly, Galopin Des Champs would win the Irish Gold Cup, beating rivals that are likely to take him on again at Cheltenham, cementing himself as the best of the Irish with that win.
Then, since the race, we’ve heard of two withdrawals from the Gold Cup. Firstly, Gordon Elliott confirmed that Gerri Colombe, who was second favourite for the race, has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.
Then, Il Est Francais, the French raider who has a number of options at Cheltenham, has been taken out of the Gold Cup. It’s unclear whether he will even come to Cheltenham anymore, but if he does, it’ll be for the Champion Chase or Ryanair Chase.
That all leaves Galopin Des Champs at a best price of 4/7 to win the Gold Cup, but he’s as low as 2/5 in places, showing just how strong a grip he has on the market.
Based on everything he’s shown over the past two or three years, barring an accident, he looks head and shoulders above the rest in this field, especially as this would have to go down as being a weaker than normal renewal this year.
But a win this season may not be the end of it for Galopin Des Champs. With few horses in the novice chase division looking ready for the step up, you certainly wouldn’t put it past him coming back and winning a fourth when he would only be a ten-year-old.
For me, we’re witnessing a really special horse, and while not everyone may be fully on board yet, a win next month at Cheltenham should surely seal the deal. Galopin Des Champs would confirm himself as one of the greats if he gets that win.