Only eight horses in history have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup more than once, with just two doing so since 2000. Connections of Galopin Des Champs will be hoping their horse can become the latest to add his name to the list when he lines up in the Blue Riband contest in March.
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS wins the Cheltenham Gold Cup! pic.twitter.com/1fKgF7PtMJ
— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) March 17, 2023
The Irish chaser was a very impressive winner last season, scoring in a hot renewal of the Cheltenham Festival feature by seven lengths. Since then, his form has been mixed, but his best performances often come in the second half of a campaign, so it will not concern his owners.
Defending Champion the Favorite to Prevail Again
Galopin Des Champs tops the betting at +100 to win the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup. If you are considering adding the favorite to your Cheltenham bets for the Festival this year, look out for the best free bet offers. New customers with Paddy Power can get up to £50 back as a free bet when placing a bet on horse racing.
The 2023 winner is likely to feature in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival before heading to Cheltenham. Irish trainer Willie Mullins has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times. He has a lot of experience in getting his horses in peak condition for the most prestigious race in the sport.
Savills Chase Success
Galopin Des Champs picked up his opening triumph of the season in the Grade One Savills Chase at Leopardstown during the festive period. He blew his rivals away, coming home 23 lengths in front when crossing the finish line.
That victory at Leopardstown was an important success for the Gold Cup winner, as he had been beaten on his two previous appearances. He was second in the Punchestown Gold Cup behind Fastorslow, while the same horse finished ahead of him in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
Challengers to 2023 Winner
FASTORSLOW takes down the Mullins battalion
Fastorslow picks up where he left off last season by staying on strongest in a thrilling edition of the G1 John Durkan Memorial Chase.
Hot favourite Galopin Des Champs is beaten AGAIN!@punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/eham04KPcL
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 26, 2023
Fastorslow will get the opportunity to complete a hat-trick of wins against Galopin Des Champs in this year’s Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The pair avoided each other in the Savills Chase, as the ground became unsuitable for the Punchestown Gold Cup winner.
Martin Brassil’s chaser was second in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Festival in 2023. He has been one of the star performers in the 3m division this season on either side of the Irish Sea.
Shiskin and Hewick are the leading challengers from the UK who will be looking to take away Galopin Des Champs’ trophy. Shishkin won two Grade One races last season, including the Aintree Bowl in Liverpool. Unfortunately for his connections, the horse has had a lot of bad fortune this season and has failed to finish in his two starts to date.
Hewick won this season’s King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. That victory makes him a big Gold Cup contender. The last horse to win the King George and Gold Cup double in the same season was Long Run in the 2010/11 campaign.
The 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place on day four of this year’s Cheltenham Festival on March 16. It is scheduled for 15:30, with a maximum field of 24 runners set to line up.
