Galopin Des Champs turned a back-to-back winner of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup when repeating his success of 12 month’s in the past for coach Willie Mullins, jockey Paul Townend and proprietor Audrey Turley on the Cheltenham Competition this afternoon (15 March).
Ridden far more prominently than a yr in the past, the eight-year-old, who went off as 10/11 favorite, travelled strongly all through and had a cushty three and a half lengths to spare over Gerri Colombe on the end.
Paul stated: “Unbelievable. I rode him utterly totally different to final yr and he was simply so courageous for me. We have been type of in between on the final and I used to be afraid we didn’t have sufficient to go for it, nevertheless it was a Gold Cup and we needed to. He has pulled out all of the stops once more.”
This victory makes Paul the record-equalling profitable jockey within the race; his three earlier victories got here on Al Boum Photograph (2019, 2020) and Galopin Des Champs (2023). The one different jockey to win the title 4 instances was the late Pat Taaffe, on Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966) and Fort Leney (1968).
Willie Mullins additionally gained the race for a fourth time after Galopin Des Champ’s success of 2023, plus Al Boum Photograph.
Requested what makes Galopin Des Champs a champion, Paul stated: “His coronary heart most likely. We clearly modified it up a bit this yr, however he enjoys doing that now. I obtained in a great rhythm. It feels totally different to all the opposite [Gold Cup wins]. I can’t actually consider it – I’m a bit misplaced for phrases. He pulled out each cease, and we went for reserves within the final furlong that solely the perfect have.
“It’s straightforward if you end up driving for Willie. You may exit and do issues, change issues. It really went to plan A most likely, but when it didn’t, you have got free rein to vary it up, and that’s the privilege of driving for the good man.”
Mr Mullins stated: “He’s elegant, isn’t he? Paul jumped out and rode a race on him. We have been simply afraid of the primary couple of jumps – the final couple of years he has come right here he has ballooned them somewhat bit and this yr Paul stated, ‘No, we’ll get him on the market, get him racing earlier on, after which settle him in and experience a race’, and that’s what he’s carried out.
“Now he’s far more mature and settled in his races, and far simpler to experience. Paul has full confidence in him – he has extra confidence in him than I’ve, I believe, and I can see why – he’s clearly getting that form of really feel from the saddle all alongside. He gallops, he jumps, he stays – what extra do you want?”
Requested whether or not he’ll now try a 3rd Gold Cup win, Mr Mullins stated: “I think about we’ve to try this, sure. Good racehorses should run in good races, and we have to see them out on the races, and that’s why I like operating them. And in the event that they’re overwhelmed, it’s not the tip of the world; they’re nonetheless good horses. He’s a horse I’m not afraid to race.
“I simply assume he put himself within the celebrity class, to do what he did in the way in which that he did it, and that unfastened horse there; Paul was so constructive on him. I believe we’ve to say we’re coming again subsequent yr to attempt to win a 3rd one if we will. He has the flexibility to do it, he simply has to remain sound, I believe.
Profitable proprietor Audrey Turley stated: “We are able to’t consider it, it’s nonetheless a improbable shock! I do know he was favorite, however you by no means know with racing what’s going to occur. To win right here on the 100-year anniversary, that could be very particular. It’s simply been improbable, we’re so privileged to be right here and simply so thrilled to be a part of this magnificent workforce – Willie, Paul, Galopin, clearly, and everybody else concerned from Closutton – it’s simply improbable.”
Gordon Elliott, coach of runner-up Gerri Colombe, stated: “He ran an amazing race and we obtained quite a bit nearer to the winner this time. The unfastened horse didn’t assist us nevertheless it didn’t make the distinction between profitable and shedding. The winner was very, superb.
Jack Kennedy, rider of runner-up Gerri Colombe, stated: “It was an amazing run. I’m delighted with him. We thought he’d get quite a bit nearer to the winner this time and he did.”
Lucinda Russell, coach of the third-placed Corach Rambler stated: “I’m completely over the moon. When you’d stated to me I’d be third within the Gold Cup I wouldn’t have believed you. On Tuesday we weren’t going to run, however he’s a racehorse and he loves his job.
“On the high of the hill I believed he was somewhat additional again than standard, however as he got here down the hill and spherical that nook I simply thought ‘may he do it once more’. Perhaps if the bottom had been a bit higher I don’t know. All I do know is that I’m delighted with him. To be third within the Gold Cup is improbable and I can’t recover from how a lot folks right here recognize him.
“He’s simply beautiful. He’s the horse of a lifetime. It’s the proper Grand Nationwide trial and I’m so pleased with him.”
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade One Nationwide Hunt steeplechase, run over 3 miles 2.5 furlongs with 22 fences, that’s held on the ultimate day of the Cheltenham Competition in March. It’s the most prestigious race on the Competition, which runs from Tuesday-Friday, and an enormous spotlight of the Nationwide Hunt season. The Gold Cup, which celebrates its one centesimal anniversary in 2024, will get underway at 3.30pm this afternoon (15 March). Right here’s all the pieces you’ll want to know forward of the massive race, from this yr’s runners and riders, and how one can watch, to what prize cash the winner will likely be taking residence.
Final yr’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Galopin Des Champs, is favorite to repeat that success for coach Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend. Fastorslow, who has overwhelmed Galopin Des Champs on two of their previous three clashes, is second favorite for coach Martin Brassil, whereas Gerri Colombe is third favorite, and a more durable stamina take a look at may go well with him right this moment. King George winner Hewick was declared as a non-runner for this race yesterday.
When was the 2024 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup?
The race obtained underway at 3.30pm on Friday 15 March.
What was the prize cash for profitable?
The winner of the 2024 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase took residence £351,687.50 making it probably the most invaluable jumps race in Britain and Eire after the Grand Nationwide.
Who have been the runners within the 2024 race?
Horse: Galopin Des Champs | Jockey: Paul Townend | Proprietor: Mrs Audrey Turley
Coach: Willie Mullins
Fastorslow | JJ Slevin | Proprietor: Sean & Bernadine Mulryan
Martin Brassil
Gerri Colombe | Jack Kennedy | Proprietor: Robcur
Gordon Elliott
L’Homme Presse | Charlie Deutsch | Proprietor: DFA Racing (Pink & Edwards)
Venetia Williams
Bravemansgame | Harry Cobden | Proprietor: Bryan Drew
Paul Nicholls
Gentlemansgame | Darragh O’Keeffe | Proprietor: Robcur
Mouse Morris
Corach Rambler | Derek Fox | Proprietor: The Ramblers
Lucinda Russell
Monkfish | Mr Patrick Mullins | Proprietor: Mrs S Ricci
Willie Mullins
Nassalam | Niall Houlihan | Proprietor: John & Yvette Stone
Gary Moore
The Actual Whacker | Sam Twiston-Davies | Proprietor: Neville, Mann, Duffus, Dennis-Value
Patrick Neville
Jungle Boogie | Rachael Blackmore | Proprietor: Malcolm C Denmark
Henry De Bromhead
What was the betting odds for this yr’s runners?
The next odds have been appropriate on the time of publishing and should differ between bookmakers.
Galopin Des Champs: 6/5
Fastorslow: 5/1
Gerri Colombe: 10/1
L’Homme Presse: 14/1
Bravemansgame: 16/1
Gentlemansgame: 16/1
Corach Rambler: 20/1
Monkfish: 25/1
Nassalam: 33/1
The Actual Whacker: 40/1
Jungle Boogie: 50/1
Get £10 in FREE bets
Wish to place a wager on the present favorite on this race? Signal as much as Betway and obtain a £10 welcome wager.
Latest winners
2023: Galopin Des Champs – learn race report
2022: A Plus Tard – learn race report
2021: Minella Indo – learn the race report
2020: Al Boum Photograph – learn the race report
2019: Al Boum Photograph – learn the race report
2018: Native River – learn the race report
2017: Sizing John – learn the race report
2016: Don Cossack – learn the race report
2015: Coneygree – learn the race report
2014: Lord Windermere – learn the race report
2013: Bobs Value – learn the race report
2012: Synchronised – learn the race report
2011: Lengthy Run – learn the race report
Profitable-most coach, horse, jockey and proprietor
The all-time main Cheltenham Gold Cup coach is Tom Dreaper, who gained it a complete of 5 instances, because of Prince Regent (1946), Arkle (1964-66) and Fort Leney (1968). The all-time most profitable horse within the Cheltenham Gold Cup is Golden Miller, who gained it a complete of 5 instances throughout 5 consecutive years – 1932 to 1936. The highest all-time Cheltenham Gold Cup jockey is Pat Taaffe, who gained a complete of 4 instances – thrice on Arkle (1964-66) and one on Fort Leney (1968). And the main Cheltenham Gold Cup proprietor, Dorothy Paget gained it seven instances – 5 instances with Golden Miller (1932-36), in addition to with Roman Hackle (1940) and Mont Tremblant (1952).
Most profitable earlier winners
Golden Miller: gained 5 consecutive Gold Cups from 1932 to 1936 and in 1934 turned the one horse ever to win the Aintree Grand Nationwide and the Gold Cup in the identical season.
Cottage Rake: gained three consecutive Gold Cups from 1948-1950.
Arkle: gained three consecutive Gold Cups in 1963-1965.
L’Escargot: gained the Gold Cup twice in 1970 and 1971.
Greatest Mate: gained the Gold Cup thrice in 2002-2004, the primary three-timer since Arkle.
Concerning the Gold Cup trophy
A brand new Gold Cup is solid yearly for the winner of this race annually. The trophy is value roughly £10,000 and manufactured from 10 ounces of gold. In 2010, a Gold Cup gained in 1988 was stolen by thieves from racehorse proprietor Raymond Mould. Mr Mould gained the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Constitution Social gathering, ridden by Richard Dunwoody and skilled by David Nicholson.
The historical past of the Cheltenham Gold Cup
The primary horse race often called the Cheltenham Gold Cup was a flat race run over three miles throughout a three-day assembly in 1819 and gained by a horse known as Spectre. The race was run on a course on Cleeve Hill, which overlooks the present Cheltenham racecourse web site. The races on Cleeve Hill turned fashionable over the subsequent decade after which curiosity diminished as steeplechasing turned fashionable.
On 12 March 1924 the Gold Cup was first run as a chase race at Prestbury Park. The winner was a horse known as Splash and he took residence prize cash of £685.
It was not till some years later that the Cheltenham Competition and the Gold Cup turned the celebrated occasions that they’re right this moment.
You may additionally be considering:
Credit score: Sportsfile through Getty Photos
Credit score: Sportsfile through Getty Photos
Credit score: Future
Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is full of all the newest information and experiences, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can take pleasure in the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and experiences in addition to different advantages.
