GALOPIN’S IN DRIVER’S SEAT
GALOPIN Des Champs really laid down the gauntlet over Christmas to any rivals thinking of taking the Gold Cup off him in March.
The way he destroyed a competitive field at Leopardstown was simply outrageous and if there’s more improvement, he will be very hard to beat.
One fly in the ointment is fastorslow, who missed Leopardstown.
Champ
He’s beaten Galopin Des Champs on his last two runs, but Cheltenham in March is a different prospect and I think the champ is still the one to beat.
Hewick was outstanding in the King George and Shark Hanlon (inset) deserves all the credit in the world for what he’s done with the horse.
If Shiskin hadn’t fallen, it may have been very different, but he did fall and Hewick produced a remarkable finish to win it.
He’s in the Gold Cup picture, of course he is. He’s a phenomenal horse and has already achieved a lot.
Hewick’s going to win more big races, but right now I don’t think he will win this year’s Gold Cup.
Hewick fell two out at Cheltenham last March and looked to be fading at that moment, but he is usually a very strong finisher.
Look at the way he finished at Kempton, it would make you wonder about last March, maybe he would’ve got a second wind and flown home if he’d stayed up.
If he could do it this March it would be some fairytale. Bravemansgame will be in the mix and so will Shiskin, but Galopin Des Champs just looks a cut above everything at the moment. Even fastorslow. I wouldn’t write off Gerri Colombe too soon either. Okay he finished 23 lengths behind Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown, but that was only his second run in senior company.
Young
He’s young and improving and he goes well on good ground, something he’s more likely to get at Cheltenham in March.
I could certainly see Gerri Colombe winning the Aintree Bowl in April.
As always, the ground could really be a big factor in the Gold Cup, but right now I would see the first four home as Galopin Des Champs, fastorslow, Gerri Colombe and Hewick.
But it’s a very long way to go. Anything could happen between now and then.
It’s a nervous weekend for me with my Dancing With The Stars debut tomorrow, but back on the racing front Willie Mullins can take the opener at Cork with PAGGANE (12.12).
OSCARS BROTHER (1.22) can give Damian Murphy a winner, while DA CAPO GLORY (1.57) can give the glory to Padraig Butler.
TIME TO ROCCO (3.07) has been knocking on the door for Colin Motherway and today could be the day.