3 minute read

Galopin Des Champs made it back-to-back wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday with a commanding success.

Ridden with supreme confidence but close to the pace under Paul Townend, Galopin Des Champs always looked to be travelling kindly throughout the three-mile two-and-a-half-furlong Grade 1 blue riband event.

The Real Whacker took up his customary position at the head of affairs alongside Britain's leading challenger L'Homme Presse to ensure there would be no hiding place in the Friday feature, but the eye was always drawn to the well-backed 10/11 favourite, who travelled and jumped effortlessly throughout.

A riderless Fastorslow would have given connections a moment's worry turning for home, but Townend expertly manoeuvred his charge to the outside and hit the front with a spring-heeled leap over the second last.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Gerri Colombe and Ventia Williams' L'Homme Presse set off in hot pursuit up the Cheltenham hill, but Galopin Des Champs continued to find for pressure under Townend and went on to score by a comfortable three and a half lengths, gaining a third Festival success in the process.

Last year's Brown Advisory Novices' Chase winner Gerri Colombe went down gallantly back in second, with Grand National hero Corach Rambler keeping on in eye-catching fashion to fill the bronze medal position.

It was a ninth success over fences for the reigning Gold Cup Champion and also a ninth Grade 1 victory for Willie Mullins staying star, who also has an Irish Gold Cup and Savills Chase on his already illustrious CV.

"I think he just put himself in the superstar category – to do what he did and the way he did it," said Mullins, who was stretching his lead at the top of the trainer's championship.

"The loose horse was there, and Paul was just so positive on him. Hopefully, we can come back next year to win a third one – he has the ability to do it and we just have to stay sound, I think.

"He's doing everything right and is achieving more than I thought he could. It was great to win a Gold Cup last year and we were crossing our fingers this year that if we got him there safe and sound, he'd have every chance of winning and he's just done that. But you can only dream about these kinds of things."

Paddy Power went 5/2 about him completing a memorable Gold Cup treble back at Prestbury Park in twelve months time.