Mullin’s Galant performer to join select club
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can become just the ninth horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup more than once – and I think he will do it!
With Shishkin not lining up in the race, it makes things a little bit easier for the defending champion, but he still has plenty of tough opposition with the likes of Gerri Colombe and Gentlemansgame.
I think Bravemansgame has a chance as well and I wouldn’t put anyone off backing Jungle Boogie each-way, with Henry de Bromhead’s horses in flying form.
However, I do think the favourite will be very hard to beat and he can top off a very good week for Willie Mullins.
Salvator Mundi, who was second to Sir Gino in France, is very interesting in the absence of the Nicky Henderson-trained juvenile in the Triumph Hurdle. He has a huge reputation coming out of the Mullins’ yard and I’m going to side with him to give the Donnelly’s another Festival winner.
I’m very sweet on King Of Kingsfield in the County Hurdle. The form of that Grade 1 race at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival has worked out very well with Ballyburn winning the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle and Slade Steel triumphing in the Supreme.
King Of Kingsfield was third behind them at Leopardstown and he could be a step ahead of the handicapper in the second race on the card for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy.
I think a strong pace will suit him, but I would also give an each-way chance to
Magical Zoe, who was second in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle here last year.
Readin Tommy Wrong produced a good performance when winning the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas in January and he could be the class angle in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Meanwhile, Premier Magic could be hard to beat in the Hunters’ Chase, which takes place after the Gold Cup, but Its On The Line is very well respected for Emmet Mullins and Derek O’connor, who teamed up to win the National Hunt Chase earlier in the week with Corbetts Cross.
Dinoblue could be very hard to beat in the Mares’ Chase at 4.50. She was beaten by Maskada in the Grand Annual at this meeting last year when she made a bad mistake at the last fence, but I don’t think that cost her the race.
She seems to have improved a hell of a lot this season, but Allegorie De Vassy was very impressive at Naas the last day and that was a huge improvement on her previous form. If she has improved again from that run, she will give the favourite plenty to think about and the trip might just suit her more than Dinoblue.
The Martin Pipe brings the curtain down on this year’s meeting and I’m going to go for Waterford Whispers, with Mike O’connor booked to ride.
He had a very good ride at Leopardstown last time, that looks good form and it could be another winner for the de Bromhead team.