Galopin Des Champs dispelled any stamina doubts when running away with the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup.
In doing so the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old cemented his position at the head of the betting for the blue riband at Cheltenham. Betfair make him a best price of 7/4.
There were still plenty in with a chance half a mile out when The Big Dog departed who was in the process of running a huge race.
At that point in the race Davy Russell took it upon himself to lay down his challenge on Fury Road as he went up to challenge Stattler, but Paul Townend was stalking the pair on the 30-100 favourite.
The three got close together on the run to the last, with Fury Road was awkward at it. That left Galopin Des Champs with the initiative and while it briefly looked like it may be hard work, he soon pulled well clear.
Having his first run at three miles over fences, the extra distance at Cheltenham looks unlikely to pose a problem on this evidence as he drew away to win by eight lengths clear. Stattler ran back on to reclaim the runner-up spot.
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40 Comments
Not sure what to make of that. He was ridden with a lot of confidence, but he was far from impressive
He's settled much better now and I think he's a very smart horse.
I prefer to see him blaze a trail and string them out and I can only conclude that WP and the owners are thinking long term by dropping him in now. Nicky Henderson is a big believer in not giving horses a harder time than they need to win. ‘Keep the petrol in the tank’… Probably the right switch in tactics but not as exciting to watch. The horse had tons left to give today.
Fury road ran a great race hopefully they go Ryanair with him GDC to good
The further he went the better he was..
#beast
#monster
#Twentytoone
This horse had a lot left. He will power up the Cheltenham hill, could well be a very impressive winner at the festival.
Wow seriously impressed with how strongly he ran through the line, BEAST!
OK guys.usual hype train.he beat nothing. OK probely win the gold Cup as this year its very very weak. I'm sure the bookies just hype these horse to cut liabilities at Cheltenham. A fair price I would back the horse for Cheltenham would be 5-2 not 5-4. Ita all about value. Constitution hill I make a 1-5 shot so 1-2 is value
He beat a bunch of over the hill chasers there in my eyes should have beaten these by 20 lengths if any good
Paul Townend is still.a tow rag for getting beaten on lossiemouth 2.day
Any second now wins Grand National, get on 20/1 is massive !!
That was encouraging for Cheltenham. That's 2 out of 2 this season where he's settled well, and it's a killer turn of foot. If we get 'normal' goodish Gold Cup ground, he looks tailormade. If it comes up soft amd turns into one of those attritional jobs, maybe a different story.
Terrible rides all day from townsend bringing them all wide poxy jockey
Gonna walk the gold cup
Now before you all get carried away, a couple of points to think about. One: given the ratings of the opposition GDC should have won like that. Two: Slow pace of the race, especially the first circuit. I have just compared the time of GDC race at Leopardstown and the race of Bravemansgame in the King George at Kempton, fact BMG raced 3 miles on soft 16 seconds faster!!!. In the Gold Cup over an extra 2.5 furlongs the pace of the race will be key. And of course there is the prices with the bookmakers, GDC is now still short at 7/4 while BMG has been cut to 7/1. Before plunge on GDC think what did you really see today in a slowly run race.
They will go a lot quicker in the Gold Cup and this horse fell the last time he ran at Cheltenham. May well win but I would not back this thing over 3 miles 2 and a half furlongs at 5-4. Seen much better horses get done at that festival over the years
I thought his facial expression when discussing Lossiemouth's defeat said it all. Another bit of ducking and diving from Mr Mullins. Lossiemouth should have won that race hard held but Mullins' 2nd string got the pre Cheltenham confidence booster and the main prize …surprise, surprise. You can bet Lossiemouth will be allowed to turn the tables at the festival.
That finish will be hard to beat, GDC, who will beat it???
For a big, lean animal he has quite a round/high action. It would be interesting if they were tempted to try a top prize on firm/good ground?
Why does the commentator have to shout? Doesn't he know that he has a microphone?
All bullshit talk
We just watched the Ryanair 2024 winner winning ..
It's almost like Paul pulled him wide to avoid the Big Dog before he fell, he could have spotted something ar the previous fence.
He's a cool character 👏👏
can go him just nver been top class
A player in the Gold Cup but maybe you’d chance value. Getting in a battle with Fury Road gives others confidence to topple him.
Cant jump no hope on gold cup what so ever
Having looked further into yesterdays race, another way to look at GDC & BMG is to bring up their records on the Racingpost website side by side. First look at their record TS = top speed record. The second is the clock, the clock never lies. On RPR they are equal. So having looked at all three rating it is clear on the clock GDC has work to do. And I know come mid March anything could happen, BMG could have an off day, but I doubt it. Both have to prove themselves of an extra 2.5 furlongs. The pace of the race will be key, at the prices, even cut to 8/1 BMG is still value e/w bet.
The first thing to say is this was a dreadful renewal. The winner had nothing to beat, and until the run in made heavy weather of putting them away. Stattler isn't a Gold Cup horse. I wouldn't take 25/1 on him for the big race. I don't know what they have done, but the exuberance seems to have disappeared from Galopin Des Champs. His jumping is nothing like it was as a novice. All this presumably, to enhance his stamina. I just wonder if he gets a little behind in a Gold Cup he now has the ability to get himself back into contention. It didn't matter against poor rivals yesterday.
Mullins corrupt……Mullins corrupt
Didn't jump as well as it normally does
The turn of foot after Paul gave him his first hit was brilliant, will definitely stay up the hill
Hmmmm I think minelayer endo could be a mighty bet
14/1 on noble yeats 3 weeks ago his speed on the last 2 furlongs is unmatchable longer the distance better he is
Wins the gold Cup all day long best chaser on the planet!
He wont win any gold cup after looking at that, good ground gold cup it has to be bravemansgame 9 to 1
Al boum photo won his first gold cup off 164 and his second off 175. Gallopin des champs is already rated 175 going into his first gold cup and probably has 7 or 8lb improvement to come. This is easily the best horse to run in a gold cup for quite a while. He’ll be passing the line when the rest are jumping the last.
Definitely has a serious engine needs to jump a bit better otherwise can see him getting out paced in a truly run race probably the best stayer but not the best jumper wouldn't take 6/4 7/4
Gdc will not win at Cheltenham but I don't know who will probably a plus tard
No way that gets up the hill
Anyone who was doubting this horse 😂