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4 Feb 2025

Cheltenham Gold Cup Winning Favourites

Cheltenham Gold Cup Winning Favourites.  

You know who I'm talking about. 

Galopin Des Champs

Recent winner at Fairyhouse, heading to Prestbury Park for the Festival which takes place on the 14th March 2025. Willie Mullins' super horse put Fact To File in his place on the 1st February in the Irish Gold Cup Chase. The odds-on shot, lengthened well in the closing stages to pull clear by four and three quarter lengths. 

Full result

Bookmakers rushed for cover and Galopin Des Champs' odds shortened from 1/1 to 4/7. 

Can anything stop this gelding from making it 3 Cheltenham Gold Cup victories on the bounce? 

By 4:10 pm, I'll be counting my shekels.   

This son of Timos out of the mare Manon Des Champs is no stranger to this 3m 2 1/2f and 22 fences. Mrs Audrey Turley must be sipping her cup of earl grey tea in quiet comfort. With a win prize of £351,688 this exceptional horse could have total earnings of just under £2M. 

I know one thing for certain, Willie Mullins is much better in the Gold Cup than Grand National, which has been dire.  

I remember my old gran used to say: 'Don't count your chickens...' 

I'm here counting bundles if not Boodles of cash. 

He has been a winning favourite in his last two Gold Cups. 

2023 - Galopin Des Champs 7/5f

2024 - Galopin Des Champs 10/11f

In recent years, the Cheltenham Gold Cup favourites have performed well. Although in the last 50 years since 1974 there have been just 13 winning favourites. 

Who doesn't love to back the good old jolly? 

Sometimes it has been a long wait. 

Who could forget wonder mare Dawn Run, won in 1986 at 15/8f. 

Punters had to wait 16 years for the next favourite to scoot home! 

No one minded waiting for this superstar: 

2002 - Best Mate 7/1

2003 - Best Mate 13/8f

2004 - Best Mate 8/11f

Henrietta Knight was the last trainer to have three wins on the trot for owner Jim Lewis. 

We have to go back to Arkle (1964 - 1966) to see the last horse to show the way with a trio of wins. 

If you have a long memory you may just about remember Cottage Rake did the same from (1948 - 1950).

The greatest winner of all time being Dorothy Paget's Golden Miller (1932 - 1936) who won an unprecedented 5 times on the bounce. 

Since 2003, there have been 12 favourites win. A fair percentage (57%). Perhaps that figure will add to the confidence of Galopin Des Champs. 

Good luck on the day.