Having bounced back to his best with resounding victories in the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup, defending champion Galopin Des Champs started as the hot favourite to defend his crown. Heading up the opposition were fellow Irish raiders Gerri Colombe, who lost out by a short head in the 2023 Brown Advisory, and Fastorslow, who had mastered the favourite twice in the past 12 months. Others making the trip across the Irish Sea were Mouse Morris’s Charlie Hall Chase winner, Gentlemansgame, a rejuvenated Monkfish, and the unexposed Jungle Boogie from the yard of Henry De Bromhead.
The Venetia Williams trained L’Homme Presse headed up the home team, followed by 2023 runner-up Bravemansgame and last year’s Brown Advisory winner, The Real Whacker. Throw in the winners of the English and Welsh Grand Nationals, Corach Rambler and Nassalam, and the main event of the week was all set to deliver another thriller.
Result
- 1st – Galopin Des Champs 10/11F, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd – Gerri Colombe 13/2, Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 3rd – Corach Rambler 14/1, Jockey: Derek Fox, Trainer: Lucinda Russell
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £352,729.16
- 2nd – £133,541.66
- 3rd – £67,354.17
- 4th – £34,166.67
- 5th – £17,666.67
- 6th – £9,354.17
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £1.91
- Tote Places – 1st: £1.20, 2nd: £2.10, 3rd: £3.30
- Exacta£7.70
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £7.05
- Trifecta – £73.00
- Tricast – £51.44
Recap
There was plenty of competition for the early lead, with a wave of six vying for position headed to the first – The Real Whacker ultimately winning the battle and leading the field around the first bend. L’Homme Presse sat just off him, with Gentlemansgame next best out wide. Galopin Des Champs took up a more prominent position than in 2023, sitting just off the heels of the leaders, whilst an early error immediately put Nassalam on the back foot. As expected, the stamina-laden Corach Rambler was content to bring up the rear.
Moving round into the home straight first time around, The Real Whacker continued to hold the lead, with L’Homme Presse and Galopin Des Champs travelling well in behind. Jack Kennedy had found a nice rhythm aboard Gerri Colombe tight against the rail. Fastorslow travelled equally well to his outside, with the only real struggler at this stage being Nassalam.
The first moment of drama came at the 16th fence when a juddering error from Fastorslow sent J J Slevin Crashing to the turf. Heading over the fourth-last, L’Homme Presse’s impeccable jumping saw him hit the front as The Real Whacker began to wilt. Galopin Des Champs moved ominously well on the outside, followed through by Bravemansgame and Gerri Colombe. Corrach Rambler still waited with, Jungle Boogie yet to be stoked into action, but the others beginning to find the pace too hot.
Rounding the bend for home L’Homme Presse made his bid for glory, accompanied by the riderless Fastorslow, who was making life tricky for those looking to pass on the outside; Gerri Colombe was ridden but responding, Corach Rambler was staying on from a mile back, and Galopin Des Champs was travelling like a champion. Once sent into the lead over the second-last, the result was never in doubt – a huge leap at the final fence sealing the deal, as Galopin Des Champs came home three and a half lengths clear of Gerri Colombe, with Corach Rambler grabbing third.
This success represented a fourth Cheltenham Gold Cup in six years for the dream team of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend – who ended the week as the leading trainer and jockey at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
Runners
- 1. Bravemansgame – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
- 2. Corach Rambler – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Lucinda Russell, Jockey: Derek Fox
- 3. Fastorslow – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Martin Brassil, Jockey: J J Slevin
- 4. Galopin Des Champs – SP: 10/11F, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend
- 5. Gentlemansgame – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Mouse Morris, Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
- 6. Gerri Colombe – SP: 13/2, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Jack Kennedy
- 7. Hewick – Non-Runner
- 8. Jungle Boogie – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
- 9. L’Homme Presse – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Venetia Williams, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
- 10. Monkfish – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Mr P W Mullins
- 11. Nassalam – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Gary Moore, Jockey: Niall Houlihan
- 12. The Real Whacker – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Patrick Neville, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Non-Runners
Hewick (unsuitable ground)