Golden Miller…Arkle…Best Mate…Kauto Star.
Today, Galopin Des Champs tries to cross into the ethereal. The French-bred, Irish-trained 9-year-old seeks his third consecutive win in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, Galopin Des Champs is the 4/7 favorite to achieve jump racing’s ultimate hat trick. Hats will fly in the air, and he’ll be chiseled in stone.
As for yesterday, Rachael Blackmore returned to the fore, salvaging a tough season for her and her biggest ally Henry de Bromhead. Blackmore missed three months with a neck injury, returned in December and found the winners scarce. That was erased as she doubled with Robcour’s Air Of Entitlement in the Mares Novice and Bob Olinger in the Stayers’ Hurdle. The latter, a switched-off, save-every-inch masterclass.
Fact To File was imperious in the Ryanair. Zigging and zagging during the season, this was straight as string. Caldwell Potter was flawless in the Jack Richards. Doddiethegreat won one for the great Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir, another one taken far too soon.
Getting out day. We need a good day after a rough week.
Cheltenham. Day Four.
Race 1. 9:20. JCB Triumph Hurdle. Grade 1. 4-year-old Hurdle. 2 miles, 179 yards. Winner: £84,405.
East India Dock rolls into the opener on a 3-for-3 mark over hurdles and a win at Cheltenham in January. Lulamba lived up to his billing with a facile British debut at Ascot in January. Have we seen the best of East India Dock? We certainly haven’t seen the best of Lulamba. Stars on the rise.
The Picks: Lulamba, East India Dock, Hello Neighbour.
Race 2. 10:00. William Hill County Handicap Hurdle. 2 miles, 179 yards. Winner: £61,897.
Irish Champion Hurdle…Melbourne Cup…Triumph Hurdle…Galway Hurdle…just some of the races on the form lines of the 16 runners.
Grade 1 winner Kargese takes on the boys in a deep handicap which includes last year’s winner Absurde, who was last seen finishing fifth in the Melbourne Cup.
The Picks: Kargese, McLaurey, Hansard.
Race 3. 10:40. Mrs. Paddy Power Mares’ Chase. Registered as the Liberthine Mares’ Chase. Grade 2. 2 miles, 4 furlongs, 127 yards. Winner: £73,151.
Old friends Dinoblue, Allegorie De Vassy, Limerick Lace and a few other regulars clash again. Mark Walsh chooses Dinoblue over last year’s winner Limerick Lace.
The Picks: Dinoblue, Brides Hill, Allegorie De Vassy.
Race 4. 11:20. Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Grade 1. 2 miles, 7 furlongs, 213 yards. Winner: £84,405.
When in doubt, box four in the triple…
The Picks: Wendigo, Wingmen, Ballybow, Derryhassen Paddy.
Race 5. 12:00. Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase. Grade 1. 3 miles, 2 furlongs, 70 yards. Winner: £351,688.
I won’t have a bet here. Stand back, enjoy and say you were there. There goes my hat.
The Picks: Galopin Des Champs, Banbridge, Monty’s Star.
Race 6. 12:40. St. James’s Palace Festival Challenge Cup. Open Hunters’ Chase. 3 miles, 2 furlongs, 70 yards. Winner: 24,445.
The Picks: Angels Dawn, Its On The Line, Allmankind.
Race 7. 1:20. Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle. 2 miles, 4 furlongs, 56 yards. Winner: £39,023.
A race won by Galopin Des Champs before he was Galopin Des Champs. Any of those in here? Perhaps Kopek De Mee making his British debut after three wins in France this year.
The Picks: Kopek De Mee, East India Express, Act Of Authority.
