The unpredictability of horse racing was hammered home as instead of joining Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate as three-time winners of the Boodles Gold Cup, Galopin Des Champs joined a succession of beaten odds-on shots at this year’s Festival after he was put firmly in his place by Inothewayurthinkin.
A bumper crowd of 68,000 – making it 218,000 over the four days, 8,000 more than forecast – who came to cheer Galopin Des Champs into the National Hunt history books may have witnessed the first leg of an even rarer event; a double not achieved since Golden Miller won the Gold Cup and Grand National in 1934.
A Gold Cup winner set to carry 11st 5lbs would be considered thrown in at Aintree for which he is now 3-1. If connections were unsure about his jumping before Friday, they have good reason to rethink that opinion now.
Last year at this meeting the JP McManus homebred won the Kim Muir not unlike a Grade One horse in a handicap, and 12 months later, after gradually coming to the boil this season – but beaten, nevertheless, on all three occasions by Galopin Des Champs – the 15-2 shot ridden by Mark Walsh returned to land the sport’s blue riband by six lengths.
Inothewayurthinkin was always travelling well though without looking like an obvious winner but that is a trait of his; it is the finish when his stamina comes into play. In contrast on the 8-13 favourite Paul Townend never exuded satisfaction let alone confidence even before he had to swerve wide to avoid the fall of Ahoy Senor at the 15th.
Galopin Des Champs has his day spoiled ❌
Inothewayurthinkin is a Gold Cup winner! 🏆#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @gavincromwell1 pic.twitter.com/PZG6L2ycjm
Even so, history still looked a possibility at the third last as Galopin Des Champs hit the front but the seven-year-old Inothewayurthinkin ranged alongside going to the second last where he landed with the impetus to take him to the front.
This time, however, Galopin Des Champs, the great battler, had no fight left in him and the winner galloped clear to give McManus an 84th Festival winner and second Gold Cup after Synchronised in 2012. Gentlemansgame was third, a further 18 lengths away while in a cruel irony, Corbetts Cross, McManus’s second runner in the race, became the second fatality of the meeting after falling at the second last.
Though Willie Mullins had been camped in the winner’s enclosure all afternoon, winning the first four races and taking his tally for the week to a record equalling 10, after the one race he really wanted, he had to vacate it for Gavin Cromwell, 50, the Meath trainer who used to be best known as Tiger Roll’s farrier and shod Don Cossack, winner of the race in 2016.
But he has, in a decade, gone from part-time trainer, full time farrier to top four Irish trainer who rarely sees an anvil. Now he is even doing great things for a surname once reviled in Ireland.
He has, however, always done well at Cheltenham and won the Champion Hurdle with Espoir D’Allen in 2019 and was on the mark earlier in the week with Stumptown.
Gavin Cromwell reacts to a brilliant Gold Cup win with
Inothewayurthinkin 👏#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @gavincromwell1 | @RishiPersad1 pic.twitter.com/0y5ktBvrjx
“I don’t know what to say as it is absolutely massive,” he said. “I never thought I would have a horse good enough to run in a Gold Cup, let alone win. A huge thank you to JP and Noreen as to have horses like this is unbelievable. I didn’t think we were travelling particularly well as on that ground he looked to be flat out. He jumped well on the whole. They went good and hard and that was going to play to our strengths as he stays really well. He turned in and jumped the last and galloped out to the line.
“I think we’ll all catch our breath and get the horse home, and we’ll be having this conversation [about Aintree] later on, but I suppose you certainly can’t rule it out and it is tempting.”
Walsh, no relation of Ruby, said: “I had a great trip round. They went a proper good gallop; I had a lovely position. I noticed early on Paul wasn’t happy – I noticed by his body language that he wasn’t just happy with how Galopin Des Champs was jumping, so I thought that if I had a clear round I could have a little squeak.
“I didn’t want to take him on too early, because we all know how he stays up the hill, but my lad just carried me there and winged the second-last and went by him, so I just kept kicking.
“Gavin has done a savage job with him. There was no pressure on me – all the pressure was on Paul, so I just had to ride the race and if it happened, it happened.”
Explaining Galopin Des Champ’s run Townend said: “Everything seemed to be a bit of an effort but he came half alive the top of the hill the last time and I was hoping it would be game on from there – and it was.
“It’s disappointing to get beaten, but he’s back, he’s fine and gave people something to shout about for a long time. The first thing I was thinking going round was that the ground is livelier than he appreciates. But no excuses. He wasn’t good enough on the day, but he is still our favourite.”
Instead of joining the all-time greats Galopin Des Champs must now content himself with sticking to the group of two-time winners which contains Al Boum Photo, Kauto Star, L’Escargot and Easter Hero.
Maybe not history but not bad company in anyone’s books.
Nineties nostalgia for pop pickers at Cheltenham as Oasis-inspired Wonderwall reduced a former Spice Girl’s festival debut horse to just a wannabe.
Geri Halliwell-Horner spent the day in the royal box and was visibly thrilled to see her horse, ridden by the “world’s tallest jockey”, emerge for the St James’s Place Festival Hunters Chase. “I’m very excited,” she told Telegraph Sport as she walked into the parade ring and hugged jockey Jack Andrews. “It’s amazing. I’m very excited.”
But her horse Lift Me Up, named after Halliwell-Horner’s 1999 No 1 single, was immediately left trailing in 13th as Wonderwall, the Sam Curley-trained gelding, romped home in first – unlike the Oasis song itself, which peaked at No 2. “Unbelievable,” said Wonderwall’s jockey Rob James. “It’s the one as an amateur you always want to win. This lad was top class.”
Nevertheless, it proved a Cheltenham debut to savour for Halliwell-Horner, who did not need to travel far from the large Cotswolds estate near Banbury she shares with Red Bull Formula One supremo Christian Horner.
Horner was in Australia preparing his Red Bull team for the opening race of the Formula One season leaving his wife to enjoy the day alone. His brother Guy, who accompanied Geri, said: “Christian and Geri decided to name the horses after her songs. So it’s more interesting than Formula One drivers. He’s on the text in Melbourne, watching – he’s been excited about it.
“We all rode when we were younger. We rode and we got into cars and engines and obviously Christian’s racing career. It’s a good switch off from motor racing. We’re quite competitive.”
Andrews, better previously known for his 6ft 4in stature, has become a key figure in the couple’s foray into racing. Despite Halliwell-Horner’s glamorous presence at Cheltenham, the jockey has admitted he was at first more familiar with the Red Bull chief than his pop-star wife.
Today was gonna be the day for Wonderwall! 👏
A brilliant race in the St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase #ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/j5IizAgCm3
“Christian and Geri are people I met a couple of years back now when they asked us – me and my sister Gina – to ride their horses point-to-pointing and in hunter chasers,” he told Gloucestershire Live. “I’m potentially showing my young age here, but I was very young when the Spice Girls were big so Geri wasn’t someone who was high up on my list of celebrities and Christian was probably more famous to me because I enjoy Formula One.
“We’ve developed a good relationship and they are a pleasure to ride for. They love going racing and are very easy to deal with and love the sport. I think they like that they can come point-to-pointing with us at the weekend and not get overly hassled by anyone. They can walk round and enjoy their day out with the family and we just treat them like friends really and like any other owner we’ve got to know well.”
Red Bull’s Horner describes racing as “a bit of escapism away from the madness of F1. “But there are more similarities between horse racing and motor racing than you might think, just in the way a jockey gets the most out of a horse,” he said.
What a Festival! Got the racing bug? Claim some more free bets ahead of the traditional post-Cheltenham marathon, the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter tomorrow
And there we have. 28 races and a whole lot of drama over four superb days. Inothewayurethinkin denied Galopin Des Champs a historic moment in the Gold Cup but was a worthy winner and now has the chance to write a piece of history himself at Aintree next month.
Thank you for joining over the last four days. Goodbye for now.
…is in tears after the race. He can hardly speak to Racing TV. He’s had so many near misses this week and you can tell how much this means to him.
🗣️ "We've had a brilliant week, but it's heartbreaking."
An emotional Gordon Elliott reflects on a frustrating week which ends with victory for Wodhooh in the Martin Pipe – his fourth winner in the race pic.twitter.com/DMxtzAlzqt
…on Gold Cup day.
Gordon Elliott finally has his winner in the meeting’s final race!
Kopeck De Mee…let’s find out if he’s as well handicapped as some poeple seem to think he is.
The last race of the meeting is rapidly upcoming.
Reckon you’ve found the winner in the Martin Pipe? There’s still time to pick up some Cheltenham free bets with our selected bookmaker sign-up offers.
Marcus Armytage: Kopeck De Mee. Useful French purchase having first start for Mullins.
Charlie Brooks: Wodhooh. His defeat of Joyeuse at Cheltenham in December was eye catching, and the form maybe of more substance than others.
Marlborough: Doyen Quest. Prospect of better ground, first time cheekpieces and a strong pace to aim at make his forecasted odds look appealing.
Methinks not.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “Inothewayurthinkin has spoiled Galopin Des Champs’ party, but it looks like his season mightn’t be over today. He was already Grand National favourite prior to today’s heroics, but we’ve more than halved him in price into 3/1. He’d be the first horse this century to do the Cheltenham-Aintree double, and it looks like punters want to be a part of history.”
A second victory for JP McManus in the Cheltenham Gold Cup courtesy of Inothewayurthinkin & a word too on whether he will go to Aintree for the Grand National 🟢🟡 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/r0fy3Sp8da
And after all…sorry I had to. Nice performance from that horse in truth. Great result for trainer Sam Curling.
🎵 Today is gonna be the day for Wonderwall!
Rob James & Sam Curling wins the Hunters' Chase – It's On The Line runner-up again pic.twitter.com/MyqS3UzixM
It’s On The Line leads in the Gold Cup-winning colours of JP McManus.
After all that drama, we have the St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase fast upcoming. Angels Dawn is the 11/4 favourite. Remembers this race is for hunter chasers who run in point-to-points.
…Galopin Des Champs, who was 1/2 favourite for much of the day, drifted in the ring on course. He was eventually sent off 8/15, so there was a clear crisis of confidence for punters before the off.
🗣️ "I was never really confident on him. Everything was a bit laboured."
Paul Townend on Galopin Des Champs who found "everything a bit of an effort." pic.twitter.com/zNvEgvzbJT
Marcus Armytage: Music Drive. Hacked up in a Brocklesby point-to-point last time.
Charlie Brooks: Ryehill. Hard to fault his most recent performance at Naas in February.
Marlborough: Music Drive. Two impressive British Point wins in recent months and he is a leading candidate here.
…Rupert Lowe is at Cheltenham today. Not sure if he’s in the same box as one Nigel Farage though.
🗣️ "I'm long enough riding now. I'm glad to get a big one on the board."
Mark Walsh, Cheltenham Gold Cup winning rider 🟢🟡 pic.twitter.com/7JSjQBimbF
Inotheurewaythinkin was the 7/1 favourite for the Grand National before the Gold Cup. He’s now as short as 5/2 in some places to win at Aintree next month. He’ll also become the first horse to do that double in the same season since Golden Miller in 1934.
🗣️ "I'm absolutely speechless."
Gavin Cromwell – Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/AHiP9Zxsbb
Never thought Galopin Des Champs looked all that comfortable at any point during that race. His jumping was a bit dicey all the way round and you could see that Paul Townend was not happy throughout. That said, he still looked the most likely winner turning for home and was severely impeded by the all of Ahoy Senor.
Gavin Cromwell’s horses have been running superbly well this week but no-one thought this was possible. Perhaps he got a stroke of lucky when Galopin Des Champs was impeded by the fall of Ahoy Senor but Mark Walsh kept things very simple on the winner, staying out of trouble and looking more than comfortable on this decent ground.
Wow. Just wow. Galopin Des Champs is second but simply emptied between the second-last and the last. At that point the writing was on the wall.
Galopin Des Champs has his day spoiled ❌
Inothewayurthinkin is a Gold Cup winner! 🏆#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @gavincromwell1 pic.twitter.com/PZG6L2ycjm
…Inothewayurthinkin goes well.
…few feeling the pace down the hill. Galopin Des Champs accurate again. He’s closing.
…and Galopin Des Champs is severly disrupted but he’s still going.
…not overly impressed with Galopin Des Champs’ jumping so far. He’s just worse than midfield.
…gives the fence at the top of the hill a real belt. Ahoy Senor leads them down the hill and into the straight.
…a little guessy at the water.
…with a generous early pace on. Ahoy Senor leads them away from the stands for the first time.
Gentlemansgame leads them to the first along with Ahoy Senor.
Even if we have 1/2 favourite, there is something special about this race. Galopin Des Champs goes for three straight Gold Cups in just a few moments.
…in front of the grandstand. Banbridge looking especially good in the build-up, he might be the only horse with any hope of putting it up to Galopin Des Champs.
It’s Cheltenham Gold Cup day alright, @StarSports_Bet pic.twitter.com/AgWEarri90
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>It’s Cheltenham Gold Cup day alright, <a href=”https://twitter.com/StarSports_Bet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@StarSports_Bet</a> <a href=”https://t.co/AgWEarri90”>pic.twitter.com/AgWEarri90</a></p>— SimonNott (@SimonNott) <a href=”https://twitter.com/SimonNott/status/1900574465525682335?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>March 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8”></script>
Bookmaker Star Sports have taken a bet of £30,000 on Galopin Des Champs to make history by winning a third Cheltenham Gold Cup in a row.
Flynn Goward, Managing Director at Star Sports, said: “After three largely good days, it appears the tide is turning today with four Willie Mullins-trained winners from four so far today, including the very well-backed Jasmin De Vaux in the Albert Bartlett, who we took a bet of £20,000 on.
“Now we’ve got the daunting task of taking on Galopin Des Champs and a price of 1/2 doesn’t seem to have put off some punters, with one bet of £30,000 on the rails.”
Inothewayurthinkin was a late supplementary here for Gavin Cromwell. He’s favourite for the Grand National and will shorten up a lot in the betting for that race should he run well here. Bear in mind though, he has been slammed by Galopin Des Champs twice already this season.
Paul Townend will be looking to steer Galopin Des Champs into the history books os only the fifth horse to win three Cheltenham Gold Cups. You can back him to do so with these Cheltenham free bets.
The truth is that Galopin Des Champs should be far, far too good for these this afternoon but I have typed similar things about Ballyburn and Constitution Hill already this week and we know how those two races ended.
The jumps are there to be jumped but if he does clear them all I simply can’t see Galopin Des Champs being beaten.
Get the inside line on the runners and riders for the biggest race of the Cheltenham Festival.
No surprises here…
Marcus Armytage: Galopin Des Champ. Loves the track and no horse arrives at the meeting with better form.
Charlie Brooks: Galopin Des Champs. Only has to reproduce what he has done in the past to win.
Marlborough: Galopin Des Champs. Seemingly scared off majority of opposition and very hard to oppose in his hat-trick bid.
This horse won the bumper here last year and on the evidence of that display has oodles of class. Paul Townend just dropped him out the back and then produced him two out. he’s won easily in the end. Galopin Des Champs goes for three Gold Cups in a row and five straight race wins today in a row for his trainer next.
That’s four in a row for Wille Mullins today…what are we witnessing here.
Jasmin De Vaux gets Willie Mullins yet another winner, this time in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle 🥇#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @PTownend | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/jkb41vrmNv
…Wingmen leads but they are tightly bunched in behind.
…that my selection (Wingmen) might have gone a touch quick here.
…setting brisk pace as they turn downhill for the first time.
Long slog this over three miles for these novices. Even with the ground as it is, they’ll need to stay well up the hill.
Do quite fancy Wingmen in this for the luckless Gordon Elliott and there is money about for him pre-race. He’s into 6s from 10s.
…of Allegorie De Vassy. Both horse and rider got up fine.
Having a punt on The Big Westerner in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle? Back your selection with free bets courtesy of our selected Cheltenham betting offers.
…and Andrew Parker Bowles take in the action.
Marcus Armytage: Jet Blue. Impressive winner at the track earlier in the year.
Charlie Brooks: Jet Blue. Impressed on his only previous start at Cheltenham in December.
Marlborough: Derryhassen Paddy. Did very well to win at Windsor and today’s stiffer test is sure to suit this unexposed stayer.
"I think I'd have beaten her anyway [Allegorie De Vassy]"
Mark Walsh reacts to Dinoblue finally securing her Cheltenham Festival victory 👏#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @aliceplunkett pic.twitter.com/DSSmLxWrx6
Second twice before at the festival, she now has her victory on jump racing’s biggest stage. Three out of three for Willie Mullins.
Dinoblue finally gets her #CheltenhamFestival victory in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase 👏#ITVRacing | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/vtRmlpZrQs
…jumps very right and then makes an error at the water jump.
…occupy the first four places. Allegorie De Vassy, Dinoblue, Limerick Lace and Brides Hill.
…sets off in an attempts to make this a proper test. Dinoblue sits second.
Limerick Lace well backed before the off.
Je T’Ai Porte has lost a shoe but the jockey says he’s happy to continue anyway.
It will not happen in all likelihood but you would be a fool not to consider the possibility of a Willie Mullins six-timer here. He has Dinoblue and Allegorie De Vassey in the next, Jasmin De Vaux leads a team of six in the Albert Bartlett, Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup and Kopek De Mee at the head of the market in the Martin Pipe.
…with Dinoblue being well backed into as short as 6/4. Just a word of warning though, Dinoblue has been sent off favourite at the festival three times before and has never returned victorious.
Dinoblue heads the market for the Mares’ Chase – these Cheltenham free bets can be used whether you are backing her or taking her on.
By Jacob Freedland, at Cheltenham
A bookie has paid out £18,200 to a lucky punter who put a £100 bet at 150/1 odds on underdog Porinos to win the 2pm race.
AK Bets’ Anthony Kaminskas, 37, one of few bookies to pay out a similarly large sum, told The Telegraph: “It’s unbelievable. Every time you think you’re gonna get a result somebody comes in and spoils the party.
“The first day was unbelievable for us through a trading point of view. The next two days have been…we’ve landed on the wrong side of a few results.
“Tony Bloom is a very smart gambler. There was a few quid knocking about. I don’t know if anybody else has been hit.”
Unbelievable Jeff. pic.twitter.com/cNXT05xbjz
Marcus Armytage: Allegorie De Vassy. Very little between her and Dinoblue but a better price.
Charlie Brooks: Dinoblue. Has by far the best form of these. Hard to oppose.
Marlborough: Brides Hill. Very good last season and wouldn’t be a surprise to see her bounce back to form here after a quiet preparation.
Kargese toughs it out after a brilliant run in, to win the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle 👏#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @PTownend | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/SeBpExLHNg
Graded horse in a handicap. Travelled like the best horse in the race. Another winner for Willie Mullins.
Kargese toughs it out after a brilliant run in, to win the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle 👏#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @PTownend | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/SeBpExLHNg
…travels very well for Paul Townend.
No false start. Starter letting them away much earlier than yesterday, though it has added another 100 yards to the race.
Needle-in-a-haystack job this one methinks. Do like the claims of Hansard but as I mentioned earlier claims can be made for so many of these.
Today’s best Cheltenham offers are worth a look at ahead of the County Hurdle at 2pm.
Marcus Armytage: Absurde. Won it last year, first since since Melbourne Cup not a worry
Charlie Brooks: Pinot Gris. Very lightly raced, but has age on his side and may be unexposed
Marlborough: Kargese. Handicap mark looks to have been saved for this and trainer won with a similar type Wednesday.
"Did Tony Bloom back it? If he did, it wasn't on my advice" 🤣
Even Poniros's owner, @WillieMullinsNH, was not expecting that #ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @RishiPersad1 pic.twitter.com/gDSzBGoADD
Manifestly not…
Another huge result for the bookmakers getting the first three in the market beaten there. Many a multiple and ante-post ticket goes down the drain after the first.
…Willie Mullins 11 has won but this one has returned at 100/1 on his first ever start over hurdles.
What a shock! Punters devastated again. Lulamba second, East India Dock third and Hello Neighbour fourth. Incredible!
WOW. 100-1
What a shock in the JCB Triumph Hurdle! Poniros beats out East India Dock and Lulamba 😳#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/UfwLVscRP7
…tracking East India Dock and Lulamba off the top of the hill.
…and Lady Vega Allen stride on down the back.
…along at a real gallop. East India Dock and Lulumba are well up with the pace. Hello Neighbour in midfield as the crowd gives them a huge cheer as they pass the grandstand.
East India Dock up with the pace early as expected. Lulamba has a nice position on the inside.
…the start of Gold Cup day is moments away.
…unless you’re a local resident residing close to his new pub. Parking disaster – according to my parents.
Few buzzy juveniles in the parade ring here. Always a danger with these younger horses on such an occasion. Lulamba looks fantastic, however, for such an experienced horse.
He will be calling all seven races on BBC Radio 5 Live, in the same week that he appeared at the sentencing of Kyle Clifford – the man convicted of murdering two of his daughters and his wife.
Fancy East India Docks to do the business in the Triumph Hurdle? Check out today’s top Cheltenham free bets ahead of Thursday’s opening race.
Marcus Armytage: East India Dock. Has the form in bag having been a wide margin winner at the track already
Charlie Brooks: Lulamba. Mixed week for Henderson, but yard in form and this horse has the right profile.
Marlborough: East India Dock, A repeat performance of his win in January would be enough here and had a nice break since.
As has been the case all week, the ground is good to soft at Cheltenham. The skies are overcast but there is no rain forecast.
New innovation for today but let’s have a little go at a double – see if I can help earn you a bit of beer money this weekend.
First leg – Wingmen (3.20) 10/1
Gordon Elliott’s horses have been running well this week with not a lot of luck but this could be the one to change that. He’s run well twice in Grade 1s this year but has always hinted that a step up in trip could see him to better effect. On what his his first try at three miles, I expect him to run well.
Second leg – Nurse Susan (5.20) 10/1
The money keeps coming and coming. Has been off the track for 14 months but hails from a yard that knows how to get one ready off a long break. Has won on both starts in handicaps and was well fancied for this race last year before being pulled out. Very attractive mark if ready after the absence.
"He looks like a very similar horse to Best Mate"
Galopin Des Champs can join a list of horse racing greats today. But has he got enough credit for his career so far? 💭#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @olibellracing | @AP_McCoy pic.twitter.com/AgAGybF0ZS
…until the first race on Gold Cup day, let’s take a look at the market for the JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.20).
…leave this here and let you all make your own judgement.
Ex-Arsenal & England star David Bentley is having a fantastic time at the Cheltenham Festival 🤣 🐎 pic.twitter.com/NAOO7vKw2S
Never a bad time to remember this though…
Paddy Power once again struck the best PR coup at the festival, with their latest stunt seeing Peter Crouch forced to fork out for 1,000 pints in the Guinness Village. The Premier League striker announced during an ITV Racing interview on Thursday that he had “a bet with Paddy” to effectively pay for £7,800 round if there was an Irish winner in Stayers’ Hurdle. Later on, footage emerged of Crouch, who has a lucrative advertising deal with the bookmaker, handing out the pints after Bob Olinger won the race, trained in Ireland.
A post shared by Cheltenham Racecourse (@cheltenhamraces)
The County Hurdle (2.00) is one of the toughest betting heats of the week, with virtually a case to be made for every horse in it. With that in mind, it is worth noting a move for one at the top of the market.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “We’re delighted to be back sponsoring at the Festival and the William Hill County Hurdle looks a wide-open affair. The one punters seem to want to side with is Joseph O’Brien’s Lark In The Mornin, who won the Fred Winter at last year’s Festival and has shortened into 4/1 from 5/1.
“History is set to be made at around ten-past four this afternoon if Galopin Des Champs can land a historic third Gold Cup, but at 4/7 he’s prohibitively short for most punters and we’ve seen each-way money for William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayurthinkin, who is 13/2 from 7/1.
“Money has also come for another William Hill ambassador’s runner in the Albert Bartlett (3:20), with Lucinda Russell’s Derryhassen Paddy now 8/1 from 11/1.”
There has been just one arrest – for assault – at the racecourse so far this week after signs were put up in various spots urging revellers to show “respect”. “We responded to a report that a man had been assaulted on Wednesday (12 March) sustaining an injury to his head,” a Gloucestershire Police statement says. “A 46-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of common assault in connection with the incident. He has since been released from custody after being issued with a conditional caution.”
"It's out of this world"
The connections of Galopin Des Champs speak to Sally Ann ahead of their attempt at history this afternoon 🗣️#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @sagrassick pic.twitter.com/zz45TA2XZ3
Nigel Farage has arrived by helicopter with an entourage. “The atmosphere, the people, I’ve been coming over 40 years,” he told reporters of his love for Cheltenham. “It’s just the most adorable day.” Asked what he thought of gambling, he replied: “I love it.”
….Mary Berry arrives. Hope the caterers don’t serve a dry sponge – there may well be hell to pay if they do.
…if Galopin Des Champs reproduces this, there is surely nothing in today’s field that can land a glove on him.
Gold Cup day is one of the biggest betting events in the UK sporting calendar. Check out our rundown of the best Cheltenham betting offers ahead of Day 4,
Of the 18 runners going to post for the opening JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.20), 11 are trained by Willie Mullins. 11!? Talk about an imbalance in riches in jump racing. That is quite astonishing. Somewhat ironically, despite his numerical advantage, Mullins trains none of the top three in the market, with East India Dock, Lulamba and Hello Neighbour all being of more interest to punters.
…what do we make of it? Nearly £8 for a Guinness is a little rich for my blood but I guess that’s the going rate these days.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is unquestionably the biggest race of the week and as such it deserves some red-carpet treatment from Telegraph Sport.
Click here for a full guide to the runners and riders in the big race – plus get access to some great offers from our bookmaking partners.
Though it feels somewhat sacrilegious to be talking about the final race of the day before the action has even started, it is worth noting the remarkable move for Dan Skelton’s runner Nurse Susan in the concluding Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (5.20).
On Sunday, the mare was a 66/1 shot but is now as short as 12/1 with some firms amid a rabid support from punters. She will run in the same colours as Langer Dan, who is well know for landing big handicaps for the same yard.
She is certainly one to keep an eye as the afternoon wears on. Kopek De Mee, a big talking horse of the festival preview circuit, is 9/4 favourite for the race.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “The Cheltenham Festival revolves around Gold Cup, and this year all the anticipation has been building to Galopin Des Champs’ attempt to win an historic third renewal. As a result, punters have been filling their boots ante-post all season, and should he oblige today, he will be one of the worst ante-post payouts we’ve had in recent Cheltenham history.
“Thankfully, now at just 4/7, we don’t expect him to be overly popular with singles backers on the day, but we’re certain he’ll be a rock-solid leg of many Friday accas.
“The opposition doesn’t look the strongest either, which further concerns us, but there are some horses who are being backed against him. The main pick has been Monty’s Star, who’s 10/1 from 14/1, and maybe that shouldn’t be a surprise considering Rachael Blackmore is booked to ride. All of her rides have been incredibly popular with punters at this year’s Festival, and you can see why after victories on Air Of Entitlement and Bob Olinger on Thursday.
“As far Thursday’s concerned, it was another day for the bookies. Sixandahalf was a mare we wanted to get beaten, so we were delighted to see Rachael Blackmore and Air Of Entitlement fly up the hill. Caldwell Potter was a bad loser for us, but we’ll always welcome a 25/1 winner of the Pertemps thanks to Doddiethegreat.
“Fact To File and Jagwar were popular picks, but the dial swung in our favour when Teahupoo and Johnnywho couldn’t get the job done for favourite backers. As far as the week’s concerned, everything hinges on Gold Cup Day today and whether Galopin Des Champs can make history.”
"What's not to be impressed about?"
Is Galopin Des Champs the perfect racehorse? 👀#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @AP_McCoy | @kevinblake2011 pic.twitter.com/k472CRTGKH
If this week has taught us anything it is that there is truth in the old adage; there is no such thing as a racing certainty. But, surely, nothing can stop the meeting’s last short-priced favourite, Galopin Des Champs, bucking the trend and joining the winter game’s all time greats by winning a third Boodles Gold Cup today.
This sport is called jump racing for good reason and Constitution Hill, Majborough, Jonbon and Ballyburn have all found obstacles in their way this week. State Man was not an odds-on shot but he was 1-25 in running going to the last with a second Champion Hurdle in the bag when disaster struck and it seems a long time since Kopek Des Bordes and Lossiemouth obliged for odds-on punters on Tuesday.
Golden Miller sets the standard for Gold Cup wins and, in all likelihood, we will never see a horse win five in our lifetimes. Only three horses have won three. Beginning in 1948 Cottage Rake, a horse who failed the vet three times for his wind, won his three for the young Irish trainer Vincent O’Brien who went on to become better known for his success at Epsom on the Flat.
Then came the imperious Arkle, named after a mountain on his owner’s Scottish estate, fondly known as ‘Himself,’ more popular than any human in Ireland despite grainy black and white television footage of his exploits. He was, unequivocally, the best jumper to ever look through a bridle in the post-War era. Arkle versus Golden Miller is another story.
It would then be another four decades before Best Mate would repeat the three-feat for Henrietta Knight and Terry Biddlecome but he was never quite in danger of earning the plaudits of Arkle.
Until this season, perhaps because of our obsession for the unbeaten or the fact that he does not have a hugely romantic back story, Galopin Des Champs has not quite caught the public’s imagination.
But the Irish finally went wild for him when he won a third Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February and if he wins today’s Gold Cup he will get the adulation he deserves from a British audience who will finally come to appreciate him.
The Willie Mullins trained nine-year-old is not unbeatable. He is two wins from six starts at Punchestown but that is, invariably, because one of those races in the autumn is too short for him and the other because it comes after the Gold Cup when most other blue riband winners would traditionally be out in the field.
But he is, pretty much, invincible at Cheltenham and Leopardstown, both galloping, left-handed tracks with stiff finishes. At Cheltenham he has won the Martin Pipe, he was streets clear when capsizing at the last in the Turners while he has won the last two Gold Cups by seven lengths and three and half.
"What's not to be impressed about?"
Is Galopin Des Champs the perfect racehorse? 👀#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @AP_McCoy | @kevinblake2011 pic.twitter.com/k472CRTGKH
He comes into the race seemingly in terrific form, if not better than ever. Mullins believes his win at Leopardstown at Christmas was a career best and he has had a good preparation which is such an important ingredient and the question which has to be asked is; are any of his rivals up to beating him?
He is 9lb clear of the next best, the King George winner Banbridge, also a Martin Pipe winner, on official ratings. Joseph O’Brien’s runner got three miles at Kempton and was not stopping in the finish but is untried at a three and a quarter on a stiff course. If he gets it, though, he has gears.
The two JP McManus runners are Corbetts Cross, winner of last year’s National Hunt Chase, so a guaranteed stayer and Inothewayurthinkin, runaway winner of last year’s Kim Muir off 12st. The latter has twice chased Galopin Des Champs home at Leopardstown this winter and, though supplemented for the race, I see no reason why he should reverse the form.
The horse, therefore, which may give the favourite most to think about is the Rachael Blackmore ridden Monty’s Star. Henry de Bromhead has had a rotten season by his standards and, with Quilixios falling upsides the winner in front in the Champion Chase, luck eluded him until Air of Entilement won the Ryanair Mares’ Novice Hurdle and Bob Olinger followed up in the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle..
Monty’s Star walks around with a disfigured face, all lumps and bumps, which is the result of being kicked by another horse at the start of the season. At the time the trainer thought he might even lose him so, in some ways, he has passed one winning post in front by just being in the line up.
But he still needed his run when fifth to the favourite in the Irish Gold Cup and his trainer believes he now has has him ready to do his best. He has seven and a half lengths to make up on Leopardstown but he is, perhaps, the one horse who might be open to that sort of improvement and his trainer has a remarkable habit of pulling it out of the hat at Cheltenham.
This week might have put doubt into our minds about any odds-on shot but Galopin Des Champs looks like the horse to restore our faith and, at tea-time today, he should be Galopin into jump racing’s history books.
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