Bruce Dias 
Galopin Des Champs, the formidable chaser trainer by Willie Mullins, left jumps racing fans in awe last year with his stunning victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
As he gears up to defend his crown at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, anticipation is high for his return to Prestbury Park.
However, so are the questions surrounding his form and readiness — as Galopin Des Champs has not always been convincing since his victory here 12 months ago.
Nonetheless, the seven-year-old is still the favourite in the Gold Cup betting 2024. So, let’s delve into his journey this season and assess his prospects for the prestigious Cheltenham showpiece.
John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase
Following his triumphant Gold Cup win, Galopin Des Champs was beaten by Fastorslow in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April.
Regardless, he still faced high expectations as he embarked on the new season. However, his first outing in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase also did not go as planned.
Despite hopes of a strong comeback, he finished a disappointing third beyond Fastorslow and stablemate Appreciate It — raising concerns about his form and stamina.
Savills Chase
With doubts looming after back-to-back defeats, Galopin Des Champs silenced sceptics with a commanding performance in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.
Charging ahead of the competition in the closing stages, he secured a dominant 23-length victory over Gerri Colombe.
That was enough for Galopin Des Champs to reaffirm his prowess in the division and reignite hopes for another Gold Cup triumph.
“It was a huge performance,” Mullins said afterward. “Galopin Des Champs put what appeared to be a very good field of horses to bed in the matter of a few strides after doing it the hard way up the front the whole way.”
Irish Gold Cup Chase
The Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February served as a litmus test for Galopin Des Champs’ readiness for Cheltenham.
Once again facing familiar rivals, he delivered a convincing win — dispelling any lingering doubts about his form.
With a comfortable victory over Fastorslow, he stamped his authority and signalled his preparedness for the ultimate challenge at Prestbury Park.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
As the spotlight shifts to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Galopin Des Champs stands as the defending champion and the undeniable favourite.
Despite early setbacks, his recent performances have confirmed his class and resilience.
With a trainer like Mullins as the mastermind, and considering he already has one Gold Cup to his name, Galopin Des Champs appears poised to etch his name into the record books as a dual winner of this lucrative contest.
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While every race brings its own set of challenges, Galopin Des Champs’ journey this season has showcased both his vulnerabilities and his strengths — which all good National Hunt horses have.
As he prepares to defend his title at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, all signs point towards a formidable performance from this remarkable chase.
Whether he can emulate last year’s triumph remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — Galopin Des Champs will leave no stone unturned in his quest for Gold Cup glory, and he could be worth backing with your Cheltenham sign up offers.
