Tag Archive for: Gold Cup

O’Brien shuffling long-distance pack in wake of Kyprios setback

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Aidan O’Brien is considering Plan B for his staying challenge this term, with reigning champion Kyprios a major doubt to defend his Gold Cup title at Royal Ascot.

The five-year-old carried all before him in the marathon division last season, winning each of six starts, including the Ascot showpiece, the Goodwood Cup, Irish St Leger and a tremendous 20-length success in the Prix du Cadran, achieved despite hanging badly across the track.

O’Brien revealed on Sunday Kyprios had suffered a setback, and he expanded on his injury issue when speaking to visiting media at his yard on Monday.

Kyprios (centre left) was the king of the staying division last year
Kyprios (centre left) was the king of the staying division last year (Adam Davy/PA)

He said: “I don’t think Kyprios is going to make the Gold Cup. He got a little bit of a joint and it’s not settling down. We will just have to wait and see. It’s one of those things.

“It happened a month ago and it’s just not settled – sometimes these things can settle very quickly and sometimes they don’t. He got an inner infection inside in the joint and it had to be flushed and then there was more infection, so it had to be flushed a second time.”

If as seems likely Kyprios does miss out, O’Brien has identified some possible deputies, headed by Emily Dickinson – winner of the Loughbrown Stakes when upped to two miles on her final start last term.

Saturday’s Dubai Gold Cup winner Broome is another contender, along with Changingoftheguard, who won the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot when last seen.

Broome won in Dubai on Saturday
Broome won in Dubai on Saturday (Adam Davy/PA)

He added: “Emily Dickinson, Broome, Changingoftheguard is a possible – even though we probably won’t make a decision (yet).

“We were very impressed with Emily at the Curragh, she grew another leg when she went to two miles. I’m not sure whether Broome will stretch out that far (two and a half miles at Ascot), but you’d imagine he’ll be very happy at Goodwood, Irish Leger, the Melbourne Cup, those type of races.”

At the other end of the scale, Tenebrism will flex her sprinting muscles for the Ballydoyle team after trying her hand up to a mile last term.

O’Brien is eyeing an audacious Royal Ascot double, with the King’s Stand and Platinum Jubilee Stakes in mind.

Tenebrism (left) has a sprinting campaign on her agenda
Tenebrism (left) has a sprinting campaign on her agenda (Tim Goode/PA)

He said: “Tenebrism is going to go sprinting. She’ll probably start in one of the local sprints, she’s nearly ready to go, she was at the Curragh (on Saturday) and worked well.

“She’s a fast filly, I’d say five or six she’d be comfortable at. We’re thinking both with her, the five and the six – we thought she could do the two (at Ascot). We were dallying around her last year, seeing where we were going to go and but the minute we started sprinting, it was very obvious she was a sprinter.

“She’ll be trained differently, last year we were trying to stretch her out and she was still being very competitive at those distances, she’s just a good filly.

O’Brien also outlined some early-season juveniles to monitor, headed by a No Nay Never half-brother to Sioux Nation.

He said: “Alabama is one to watch, Battle Cry is another No Nay Never, Emperor Of Rome, a Ten Sovereigns filly called Brighter, I think they’re the more forward types. You’ll not go far wrong with Alabama, who is a brother to Sioux Nation.

“The Liffey is another one, His Majesty is another No Nay Never, Carnegie Hall, they’re some of the early-type ones.”

Ascot next for Dubai Gold Cup hero Broome

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Broome will take a direct route to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, with trainer Aidan O’Brien setting his sights on a trip to Australia for the Melbourne Cup at the end of the year.

The seven-year-old has shown his best over middle distances over the last four seasons, with a previous foray over two miles ending in a distant last to Trueshan in the 2020 Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

However, Broome roared back to winning form over the staying trip on Saturday, seeing off Siskany by a neck in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan – his first victory since last year’s Hardwicke Stakes.

With stablemate Kyprios now a possible doubt for Ascot, Broome could end up being his main contender, with O’Brien also believing he is an ideal candidate to head in Flemington in November.

He said: “We were very happy. Obviously he’s going to go the Cup route and we’ll look at all those races on the way down to the Melbourne Cup. That’s probably what we’re going to do with him.

“He won’t have to run in the two Irish trials, he can go straight to Ascot. After that he can do Goodwood and all those types of races and then finish off down in Australia.

“He’s seven now and he’s the perfect age to be doing all those races, travelling as an older horse.

“He’s an amazing horse, he was very genuine at Meydan. Looking at him, you’d say we should have stepped him up in trip a lot earlier.”

Galopin Des Champs dazzles for Mullins and Townend

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Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend powered clear of Bravemansgame to justify favouritism and land the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, giving Willie Mullins chasing’s blue riband for a third time in five years.

In an eventful renewal, Ahoy Senor set a searching gallop until getting too close to the sixth fence from home and crumpling on landing.

Townend had bided his time, tracking the early pace before getting into contention coming down the hill, tailing Protektorat, Bravemansgame and Hewick, who had been left in front.

He crashed through the third-last, which almost cost him the race, but quickly recovered and by the time American Grand National hero Hewick had come to grief two out, Irish Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs had gone upsides Harry Cobden and the Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame.

Both jumped the last on a good stride, but the King George winner could not find the same turn of foot as Townend drew clear.

Galopin Des Champs (7-5 favourite) had seven lengths to spare at the line, with Conflated a further sixth and a half lengths down in third.

Mullins said: “I didn’t realise the pressure I was under. I’m absolutely delighted for Audrey Turley (owner), Paul was under huge pressure too and gave him a peach of a ride.

“The plan was to drop him in and come through, I said to him ‘I think you’re on the best horse, the fastest horse, so as long as he doesn’t get running with you just tuck him in somewhere and put him asleep’ – and he did.

Paul Townend celebrates winning the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup
Paul Townend celebrates winning the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Mike Egerton/PA)

“It just worked out, he gave him a brilliant, cool ride. Everyone was questioning the distance and his stamina, they were going to make it plenty fast so I didn’t want him up there in the early exchanges.

“If he has the class, he’ll come through, if he hasn’t then there’s no point.

“All the thoughts go through your head, have we gone too far back? They had gone such a gallop, something had to give.

“One or two fell and we missed all that, we’d a lot of luck. I think that man on board, when the pressure comes on, he’s very good.”

He added: “I was surprised myself how I was over the last two fences. With this horse, we’d elected him as our Gold Cup horse whereas Al Boum Photo sort of just happened. This fellow, we thought he was good enough and that puts you under pressure.

“Every time we’ve upped him in trip, it’s been no problem. He has that bit of class, you could run him over two miles, two and a half miles. He has that bit of speed when you want it.”

Townend – like Mullins winning this third Gold Cup – said: “It was messy for me – I couldn’t get a clean passage early, and he started jumping in the air a little bit, but when I got a bit of room, in fairness to him he came back into a rhythm with me and was very, very brave.

Galopin Des Champs comes back victorious
Galopin Des Champs comes back victorious (Mike Egerton/PA)

“I think he got me out of a fair hole, to be honest – I was a lot further back than I wanted to be, but it was just the ride I had to give him.

“There was so little fresh ground that everyone wanted to be in it, and the start was very messy.

“He was good and brave. There were horses going left of me and right of me (when the two horses fell at the top of the hill) and he always just found a leg, and you need that luck in racing.

“He missed one of the fences coming down the hill, and I thought that was going to put me on the back foot a bit again, but no, straight back on the bridle for me. I don’t think the horse understands how good he is, to be honest.”

He went on: “The Gold Cup brings winning to a different level. Cheltenham is very important, but the Gold Cup just has that little bit more spice to it.”

A Plus Tard camp feeling increasingly upbeat, as Gold Cup defence looms

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A Plus Tard was nothing short of sensational in winning last year’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup – but returns with a point to prove.

Runner-up to stablemate Minella Indo two years ago, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding turned the tables with a stunning 15-length success under the history-making Rachael Blackmore 12 months ago.

Few would have believed then A Plus Tard would be a relatively big price to successfully defend his crown, but that is the case following a disappointing season thus far.

The nine-year-old stopped to a walk when pulled up in his bid for back-to-back Betfair Chase wins at Haydock in November – and with a minor knock ruling him out of an intended outing at Leopardstown over Christmas, he has not been seen since that listless display.

However, trainer Henry de Bromhead has been making positive noises regarding A Plus Tard’s well-being in recent weeks and Cheveley Park director Richard Thompson is hopeful he can bounce back to his brilliant best.

“I saw Henry on Wednesday morning and all is in good shape. His horses have been running well this week, which is a good sign, and we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

“We know the prep has been difficult with him – he hasn’t finished a race since the Gold Cup last year.

“It could go either way, couldn’t it? He’s either going to be bang there in the mix or he’s not.

Richard Thompson (right) with A Plus Tard at Haydock
Richard Thompson (right) with A Plus Tard at Haydock (Simon Marper/PA)

“I think last year one was really hopeful. He was 100-30 and there wasn’t really a doubt that he wouldn’t run a big race, particularly after being second the year before.

“This year there is that doubt, so it’s a different feeling going into it this year, but it’s fantastic to be lining up in a great field with a previous winner of the race.

“Winning the Gold Cup is always the pinnacle and whatever happens this week we’re already in bonus territory.”

With his horses performing tremendously well this week, De Bromhead is excited to send both A Plus Tard and Minella Indo into battle once more.

“They are in good form so we’ll just see how it goes,” said the Knockeen-based trainer.

“Who knows what the ground will be we’ll just have to see what happens on Friday. It should be fresher ground on the New course.

“It’s incredible to be going into a Gold Cup with two horses who have already won it.

“They arrived at the track on Monday so they’ve nicely settled in so we’ll just have to see how they get on now.”

A formidable Irish challenge also includes Emmet Mullins-trained Grand National hero Noble Yeats, Gordon Elliott’s Conflated and Shark Hanlon’s stable star Hewick, plus the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs and Stattler.

Noble Yeats winning the Grand National under the now-retired Sam Waley-Cohen
Noble Yeats winning the Grand National under the now-retired Sam Waley-Cohen (David Davies/PA)

Noble Yeats was a staying-on third in the Cotswold Chase on Cheltenham Trials day in January and owner Robert Waley-Cohen, who won the 2011 Gold Cup with Long Run, is optimistic of a bold showing.

He said: “We’re ready to rock and roll and we’re looking forward to it.

“We know he stays and the acceleration he showed when winning the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree earlier in the season was very good.

“The ground is what it is – whatever it is it won’t inconvenience him. I suppose if it’s softer it will inconvenience some others, but we’re not too worried about it.

“After seeing Honeysuckle win on Tuesday for Henry de Bromhead, the one we have to beat, in my opinion, is A Plus Tard. I know it will be almost his first run of the season, but the way he powered up the hill last year was so impressive.”

Conflated won last season’s Irish Gold Cup before falling in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Having won the Savills Chase at Leopardstown this term, Elliott feels he more than merits his place in the Gold Cup field.

“He is in good form. I think I went for the wrong race last year as all he does is gallop. We’re looking forward to running him in the Gold Cup,” said the Cullentra handler.

“I think he’ll love the trip. As a young horse he was a lunatic, but he’s settling better every year. He’s relaxed a lot more now and you can ride a race on him.

“I’ve only ever had one good enough to win a Gold Cup. Don Cossack was very good, but Conflated is a good horse.

“I think it’s an open Gold Cup and I think he’s got a chance. I think the trip will suit him, if I’m being honest – he looks made for it.”

Hewick has enjoyed a fairytale rise in the past year, winning the bet365 Gold Cup, the Galway Plate and the American Grand National.

But Hanlon is praying conditions do not deteriorate too much ahead of the blue riband.

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon with Hewick on his gallops
John ‘Shark’ Hanlon with Hewick on his gallops (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

He said: “The horse is in great shape. He arrived late on Wednesday night, we rode him out this (Thursday) morning and we’ll ride him out again tomorrow morning.

“He travelled very well and we couldn’t be happier with him, but we don’t want any more rain.

“We want to run the horse as there’s only one Gold Cup, but if the ground goes too soft we’ll have to think about it as Aintree (Grand National) is only four weeks away.”

The leading hope for the home team is Bravemansgame, who provided trainer Paul Nicholls with a 13th win in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and now looks to give him a fifth Gold Cup.

Paul Nicholls with Bravemansgame
Paul Nicholls with Bravemansgame (Adam Davy/PA)

“He had one or two issues last year and is twice the horse now, so much bigger and stronger and bounds up our hill gallop three times in the morning,” the Ditcheat handler told Betfair.

“He had a brilliant first half of the season, winning the King George in great style and the challenge has been to have him in the same form in the spring which hasn’t always been the case.

“It helps that he is much more mature now and he looks fabulous at the moment. The key is whether he stays three and quarter miles. Who knows? I didn’t know if Kauto Star would get the trip before he won his first Gold Cup and I’m not sure about Bravemansgame, but I suspect he will stay because he was keeping on strongly in the King George.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had him in better shape and Harry Cobden is very confident.”

The Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat was best of the British when third in last year’s Gold Cup and was thoroughly impressive in winning the Betfair Chase in the autumn.

He could finish only fourth when hot favourite for the Cotswold Chase on his latest outing, but Skelton is adamant he is in better shape now than he was then.

Scottish hopes are carried by Ahoy Senor, who bids to provide Lucinda Russell with a second win at this year’s Festival following Corach Rambler’s Ultima Handicap Chase success on Tuesday.

He bounced back from an underwhelming start to his season by winning the Cotswold Chase and Russell’s string could hardly be in better form.

Sounds Russian (Ruth Jefferson) was best of the rest in the Cotswold Chase and renews rivalry, with Royale Pagaille (Venetia Williams) and Eldorado Allen (Joe Tizzard) completing the line-up.

Galopin Des Champs carrying plenty of confidence in date with destiny

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Willie Mullins is confident Galopin Des Champs is becoming “the complete package” ahead of his bid for glory in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

The most successful trainer in Festival history finally ended his long wait for a first victory in the blue riband with Al Boum Photo in 2019 – a success he repeated 12 months later.

Bar his final fence exit in the Turners’ Novices’ Chase at last year’s Festival, Galopin Des Champs has been foot-perfect over fences so far – winning each of his five starts, including a dominant first chasing success over three miles in last month’s Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

The seven-year-old will take a step into the unknown over an extended three and a quarter miles in the Cotswolds, but Mullins does not expect him to be beaten for a lack of stamina.

“He did everything right at Leopardstown. I was very happy with what he did and Paul (Townend) was very happy that he jumped and came through when he wanted him to,” said Mullins.

“He felt he had plenty of horse under him passing through the line and that’s important because there’s another two furlongs in Cheltenham.

“When he won over three miles as a novice over hurdles, I was never worried about his stamina after that. It’s just all about temperament that the horse learns to settle during a race and he’s done that in his last two runs.

“Paul is much happier with him and has got confidence now that he can use him in a race when he wants to use him.

“The horse is becoming the complete package.”

Stattler winning the National Hunt Chase
Stattler winning the National Hunt Chase (David Davies/PA)

Mullins has a second contender in the form of Stattler, a horse who has no stamina questions having won the three-mile-six-furlong National Hunt Chase 12 months ago but who was eight lengths behind Galopin Des Champs when filling the runner-up spot in the Irish Gold Cup.

The trainer’s son Patrick is once again on board Stattler, with stable jockey Paul Townend keen to attend to what he says is “unfinished business” aboard the hot favourite.

“Galopin Des Champs been excellent this year and has really grown up,” he told Ladbrokes.

“I just can’t wait to ride him. Bar the hiccup we had at Cheltenham last year at the last fence, he has been foot-perfect and seems to have learned from that. We have unfinished business here and he is a deserved favourite.

“I think he will stay the trip, but we won’t know until we try. The way he went through the line in the Irish Gold Cup suggests it won’t be a problem.”

Galopin Des Champs among 14 left in Gold Cup

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Hot favourite Galopin Des Champs will face a maximum of 13 rivals in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The seven-year-old has won five of his six starts over fences to date, his only defeat coming at last year’s Festival when falling at the final fence with the Turners Novices’ Chase at his mercy.

He has been thoroughly impressive in winning the John Durkan at Punchestown and the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown this season and is a warm order to provide Willie Mullins with a third success in Friday’s blue riband following the back-to-back victories of Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020.

Mullins has a major second string to his bow in the form of Stattler, who is a proven stayer having won the National Hunt Chase 12 months ago and finished best of the rest behind Galopin Des Champs in last month’s Irish Gold Cup.

Henry de Bromhead has saddled the one-two in the last two editions of the Gold Cup, with Minella Indo beating A Plus Tard in 2021 before the latter turned the tables with an imperious display under Rachael Blackmore last year.

Both horses are in contention once more, but A Plus Tard returns to the Cotswolds with something to prove after being pulled up in Haydock’s Betfair Chase on his only previous outing this term.

A formidable Irish challenge is further strengthened by Grand National winner Noble Yeats, Savills Chase hero Conflated and American Grand National victor Hewick, trained by Emmet Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Shark Hanlon respectively.

Bravemansgame and Harry Cobden winning the King George VI Chase
Bravemansgame and Harry Cobden winning the King George VI Chase (John Walton/PA)

The pick of the home team on form is Bravemansgame, who was brilliant when giving Paul Nicholls a 13th King George VI Chase win at Kempton on Boxing Day and now bids to provide him with a fifth Gold Cup.

Ahoy Senor won the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January for Lucinda Russell and will renew rivalry with the runner-up Sounds Russian (Ruth Jefferson), the third placed Noble Yeats and the fourth home Protektorat (Dan Skelton), who was best of the British when third in last year’s Gold Cup.

Eldorado Allen (Joe Tizzard), Royale Pagaille (Venetia Williams) and the novice The Real Whacker (Patrick Neville) complete the acceptors.

Sounds Russian going for Gold Cup glory at Cheltenham

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Sounds Russian is Boodles Gold Cup-bound after connections made the decision to veto Kelso in favour of the Cheltenham Festival.

The eight-year-old has been in good form all season, winning the Edinburgh Gin Chase at Kelso on debut before placing fourth behind reigning Grand National hero and leading Gold Cup contender Noble Yeats in the Many Clouds at Aintree.

He was then second in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby and second again in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham – a trial for the Gold Cup in which he was beaten just a length a half by Ahoy Senor but reversed the form with the third-placed Noble Yeats.

Sounds Russian held an entry for Kelso’s Listed Premier Chase on Saturday and connections were pondering whether to aim for that or the Gold Cup, eventually deciding on the latter and not declaring for this weekend.

“The owners came on Tuesday and were quite keen to let him take his chance in the Gold Cup, so that’s where we’re going,” said Jefferson, who is the daughter of the late Malcolm Jefferson.

“I’ve never had a runner (in the Gold Cup) myself, I suppose we ran a couple in it (when her father was training), so it’ll be nice to have a crack.

“I’m realistic about his chances, but he’s a versatile, straightforward horse and he doesn’t do a lot wrong.

“Sean Quinlan will ride him, he’s ridden him round there now and so he should know what to do as the situation presents itself.

“I don’t think they’ll let the ground get quick, but it’s going to be challenging for them. He’s not ground dependent though, let’s be honest.”

Cheekpieces back on Noble Yeats for Gold Cup challenge

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Noble Yeats will have the headgear that served him so well at Aintree reapplied when he goes for glory in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Emmet Mullins-trained eight-year-old sported cheekpieces for the first time in the Randox Grand National, racing to a famous success under amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen.

He has not worn them since, but they will be back on for the big race on March 17 – a contest Noble Yeats will arrive at on the back of an encouraging third in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Trial day.

Noble Yeats triumphing at Aintree last year
Noble Yeats triumphing at Aintree last year (Steven Paston/PA)

Mullins said: “We couldn’t be happier with him. He’s been in great form since the Cotswold Chase and we’re just hoping we get a clean run with him between now and Gold Cup Day.

“I suppose the cheekpieces made a big difference for him last year (in the National), so we’re hoping for a repeat event. Ground-wise I suppose we’re quite laid back and we’ll take what we’re given. I think a proper Gold Cup test will play to his strengths.

“Obviously he’s going to have to step forward from his last run, but it’s something he’s been able to do in the past and hopefully we can repeat it.”

Shishkin ‘100 per cent’ after Ascot – with Ryanair Chase still favoured next

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Nicky Henderson has all but ruled Shishkin out of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, remaining in favour of the shorter trip of the Ryanair Chase for his rejuvenated superstar.

The Seven Barrows trainer was an emotional onlooker as any doubts about the nine-year-old’s return to prominence were dispelled with a tremendous display in the Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday, where he was trying two miles and five furlongs for the first time under rules.

The Joe Donnelly-owned gelding downed Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at the same track last term but subsequently disappointed in both the Champion Chase and this season’s Tingle Creek.

However, a couple of physical problems had come to light, being diagnosed with a rare bone condition in the wake of the Champion Chase and then a “flipped palate” delaying his move up in distance after the Tingle Creek.

Shishkin in full flight
Shishkin in full flight (Steven Paston/PA)

Yet, just as he had done with Sprinter Sacre six years ago, Henderson brought Shishkin back from the brink and the sheer joy the handler exuded after his 16-length defeat of Pic D’Orhy said it all.

Though Shishkin was cut to as short as 8-1 for the Gold Cup by Paddy Power, Henderson feels the extended two-and-a-half-mile Ryanair Chase on March 16, for which he is 11-10 favourite with the same firm, is the only option.

“I can’t think we’re not going to go for the Ryanair, but there is no way of finding out,” said Henderson.

“The way I would see it, in the perfect, perfect world – and with horses it is not easy to go very far, about 24 hours is about as far as you dare look ahead – but in the perfect world, you’d go Ryanair, then three miles at Aintree.

“Then that will tell us what to do next year. It would tell you whether to go to the Betfair Chase or King George VI Chase, or stay at two and a half (miles). At two and a half, you are a bit limited.”

Though last season’s runaway Ryanair Chase winner Allaho will miss the race with an abdominal bleed, Henderson said his absence has not swayed any decision to bypass the Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson was all smiles with jockey Nico de Boinville
Nicky Henderson was all smiles with jockey Nico de Boinville (Steven Paston/PA)

He added: “The Ryanair is still a very high-class race and it is not to be sniffed at.

“He’s certainly not going to come back to two (miles), so I can’t believe we need to go to three and a quarter.

“Going up in trip trip made an enormous difference. It was as simple as that. Maybe he would stay three and a quarter, but you have got the Ryanair available to you.

“One is aware Allaho is not there, but we won’t go there because of that. I would have thought we would still have gone that route even if he was there. It is the obvious thing to do.

“We’re delighted with him and he’s absolutely 100 per cent this morning.”

A proud Nicky Henderson with Shishkin
A proud Nicky Henderson with Shishkin (Steven Paston/PA)

Meanwhile, Henderson was left ruing the ground conditions at Newbury on Sunday, withdrawing Quick Draw and Boom Boom.

Both were favourites for their respective races, with the former leaving Dalamol to walk over in the opening Bloomfields Horseboxes Presents The Raceline Professional Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Henderson added: “We are struggling a bit today, I must admit. This ground at Newbury has got so firm, we can’t run.

“We took one out in the first race, which left a walkover. I can’t risk it. I hate doing it, because it is no good for anybody, but the horse comes first.”

Scudamore happy to tackle ‘vastly impressive’ Galopin with Ahoy Senor

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Peter Scudamore admits he was “vastly impressed” by Galopin Des Champs’ success at Leopardstown on Saturday, yet says the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is not a formality for Willie Mullins’ star chaser.

The Audrey Turley-owned seven-year-old won his fifth chase in six starts, powering to an eight-length victory over Stattler in the three-mile Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup and cemented his place at the top of the betting for the English equivalent on March 17.

Eight-time champion jockey Scudamore, assistant and partner to Lucinda Russell who trains Gold Cup contender Ahoy Senor, feels it will be a competitive renewal this year and far from a Mullins benefit.

“I’d be very pleased if he was mine,” Scudamore said of Galopin Des Champs. “He has done it very well. But you can’t be afraid of one horse.

“When you look at the whole thing (Cheltenham), you can’t see any absolute certainties.

“You can be wrong, but the major races look like they are races at the moment. It is a race, the Gold Cup – it is not going to be a gallop round at the moment.”

Galopin Des Champs is now as short as 5-4 to win the extended three-and-a-quarter-mile event, a trip he has yet to tackle.

Winner of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the Festival in 2021, he fell when favourite for the Turners’ Novices’ Chase on his return to Prestbury Park last March.

He has subsequently captured three consecutive Grade One chases in Ireland and has looked better with experience.

Of his latest win, Scudamore added: “He settled and travelled well, so I was vastly impressed.”

However, Scudamore insists the British challenge for the Gold Cup should not be overlooked.

“The one I think who is rather forgotten is Bravemansgame, because his form looks as good as anything,” said Scudamore of the Paul Nicholls-trained King George VI Chase winner.

Ahoy Senor heads to the Gold Cup with hope
Ahoy Senor heads to the Gold Cup with hope (David Davies/PA)

“I think it is a good Gold Cup. When you are stood outside sometimes, you can look at the race and say it looks bad, but when you are involved with them, you realise they are good.”

Ahoy Senor, who was fifth to Bravemansgame at Kempton on Boxing Day before bouncing back to defeat Sounds Russian in the Grade Two Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham, is a best-priced 12-1 shot for the Gold Cup and will head straight there.

Scudamore added: “Ahoy is fine. He came out of his race really well. He hasn’t really started working too much, he’s just been hacking about at the moment and we’ll build up again from there. I feel we go with hope.”