The biggest day of them all is here as Galopin Des Champs has his date with Cheltenham Gold Cup destiny.
Willie Mullins’ superstar is bidding to join a pantheon of jumping greats like Arkle, Cottage Rake and Best Mate as a three-time winner of the blue riband but this week has already shown that there is no such thing as a formality in the crazy world of jumps racing.
1.20pm Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle 4yo 2m179yds
Mullins trains a staggering 11 of the 18 runners — three of which have never raced over hurdles — but none of his sizeable string are in the top three of the betting despite the Closutton maestro landing four of the last five renewals.
This can go elsewhere and East India Dock hasn’t put a foot wrong over hurdles in his three wins, two of which came at this course, and James Owen’s juvenile commands serious respect.
Sam Twiston-Davies’ mount sets a fair standard at the top of the market alongside Lulamba, which is much less experienced but had a bit of wow factor about him when winning on his sole British start at Ascot in January.
Nicky Henderson is the most successful trainer in this race’s history and bids for an eighth success but Hello Neighbour is another which has done nothing wrong and he is preferred.
Gavin Cromwell’s charge was unbeaten in two impressive starts on the Flat and continued that form over hurdles when narrowly taking a Grade Two on his jumping debut before stepping it up again to land a Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Keith Donoghue’s mount has improved with every start and it’s hard to see him being outside of the top three. He may even step forward enough to bag this prize and remain unbeaten.
Verdict: Hello Neighbour can get punters off to a flying start.
2.00pm William Hill County Handicap Hurdle 2m179yds
Only 16 of a possible 26 runners take their chance but this race is still dripping in quality at every turn.
Kargese is a two-time Grade One winner as a juvenile and brings quality form to the table having also finished second to Majborough here in last year’s Triumph Hurdle before chasing home the brilliant Sir Gino at Aintree.
That sets a serious standard and Paul Townend’s mount was probably rerouted here having been touched off in a Grade Two Mares’ Hurdle at Ascot on her seasonal debut — the winner was third here in a Grade One earlier this week.
A workable mark of 141 gives her huge claims and she will be patiently ridden before pouncing late, while stablemate Absurde bids to make it back-to-back wins in this contest under Danny Mullins.
Lark In The Mornin landed the Fred Winter here last year and looks to have been laid out for this prize, while the Emmet Mullins-trained McLaurey plundered a hot handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival and is more than capable.
Willie Mullins has won this seven times, including five of the last 10 renewals, and Townend can surpass Ruby Walsh as the most successful rider in this race’s history with a fifth win.
Verdict: Kargese can swoop late for Mullins and Townend.
Kargese ridden by Paul Townend
2.40pm Grade Two Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase 2m4f127yds
The JP McManus silks have been carried to success in the last three runnings with Cromwell’s Limerick Lace fending off Dinoblue to take this last year, but the former has not come close to repeating anything like that form in her two starts this term.
Mullins’ Dinoblue is skinny in the betting but Mark Walsh’s mount is a Grade One winner in open company and she looks the most likely winner, although she has no wins from three Festival starts when favourite each time.
Dinoblue gave Allegorie De Vassy 6lbs and still beat her in a Listed race the last day so the latter is hard to fancy to turn around that form having been second and fourth in this the last two years.
This is a very disappointing renewal on paper in terms of quality — and a fair advertisement of why it should be scrapped from the Festival — but if there is to be a fly in the ointment to the favourite, Brides Hill could be it.
A five-time chase winner, including four times over this trip, the eight-year-old has not been at her best so far this season but she has nothing to find with Dinoblue and can score again for Cromwell with Donoghue to really test Dinoblue’s stamina.
Verdict: Brides Hill can power home under Donoghue.
3.20pm Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle 2m7f213yds
Surprises have been the name of the game in this contest over the last decade with no winning favourite and victors at staggering prices like 50/1, 33/1 (twice) and 18/1 (twice).
There has been just one single-digit winner in that time and that’s a trend which The Big Westerner is trying to change on the back of his impressive Grade Two success at Limerick.
Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount should enjoy this test, while Mullins’ Jasmin De Vaux, winner of the Champion Bumper here 12 months ago, has not enjoyed hurdling and must take a big leap forward on what we have seen so far.
Three at bigger prices that catch the eye are Derryhassen Paddy (Lucinda Russell), Flicker Of Hope (Mark Fahey) and Ballybow. The latter has gotten the hang of things in his last two starts and could prove the one this time around.
Gordon Elliott won this last year in the same Gigginstown colours and the Grade Three Clonmel winner could be primed to land a nice each-way blow.
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Verdict: Ballybow (e/w) can make the frame for Elliott.
4.00pm Grade One Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase 3m2f70yds
Nothing can be taken for granted around Cheltenham, but it will surely take something out of the ordinary for Galopin Des Champs not to cement his legacy.
Townend’s mount should be four from four at the Festival and while Father Time will catch up on him in the not-too-distant future, he was as good as ever when taking the Savills Chase and the Irish Gold Cup.
The supplemented Inothewayurthinkin is not ignored having scored at the Festival last year, while Banbridge arrives here with ground to suit having delivered a career-best, ironically under Townend, when taking the King George over Christmas.
He will be delivering his challenge late but stamina is a doubt and JJ Slevin’s mount is unsure to see out this demanding trip. Corbetts Cross, also a winner here 12 months ago, and Monty’s Star are respected but they are all playing for second.
Barring a freakish incident, just sit back and watch history unfold.
Verdict: Galopin Des Champs can complete a famous hat-trick.
4.40pm St James’s Place Hunters’ Chase 3m2f70yds
Can Its On The Line make it third-time lucky in this race? Emmet Mullins’ eight-year-old was just touched off here last year before scoring at the Aintree and Punchestown Festivals but he has not been in that type of form this season.
Angels Dawn, winner of the 2023 Kim Muir, is fancied with the mares’ allowance, while British challengers Shearer (Paul Nicholls) and Fairly Famous (Gina Andrews) are also two to note.
Preference is for Willitgoahead, though, with the emerging seven-year-old recently changing hands and moving to Gordon Elliott. His Thurles win marked him out as a big contender and Wexford amateur Jamie Scallan could have a big day in the Festival sun.
Verdict: Elliott’s Willitgoahead looks like the future of this division.
5.20pm Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 2m4f56yds
Another cracking Festival finale with French recruit Kopeck De Mee all the rage, but this is far from a certainty on his first start for Willie Mullins.
Aidan Kelly’s mount is prohibitively short and there is so much to like about Wodhooh with Elliott’s unbeaten hurdler landing a strong handicap hurdle over course and distance on her last start before being put away for the Festival.
Having last year’s winning rider Danny Gilligan aboard is another major plus and the unexposed five-year-old should have plenty more improvement under the bonnet to get the job done.
Verdict: Wodhooh can finish the Festival with a flourish for Elliott.
Wodhooh