All eyes were on the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs ahead of the most prestigious staying chase of the racing season. Successful in the 2023 and 2024 editions, the king of the staying chase division would join Golden Miller, Arkle, and Best Mate in the history books if landing the prize for a third time. Arriving on the back of an impressive win in the Irish version of the race, he started as the red-hot favourite to do just that.
Traditionally, King George VI Chase winners have a mediocre record in this contest, but the 2024 Kempton hero, Banbridge, came next in the betting. The Joseph O’Brien runner showed he stayed three miles in the festive highlight but had another two furlongs to contend with here.
Leading owner JP McManus had already hit the target on five occasions earlier in the week and was doubly represented by Inothewayurthinkin and Corbetts Cross. Both runners scored at the 2024 edition of this meeting and boasted stamina as a strong suit. Of the two, confidence was building behind Inothewayurthinkin, who had been given a late supplementary entry at the cost of £25,000.
Potential improver Monty’s Star looked like the pick of the remaining runners, having finished a gallant second to Fact To File in the 2024 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. Ahoy Senor, Gentlemansgame, Royal Pagaille, and The Real Whacker rounded out the field, but all looked up against it on recent form.
Result
- 1st – Inothewayurthinkin 15/2, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
- 2nd – Galopin Des Champs 8/13F, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 3rd – Gentlemansgame 40/1, Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe, Trainer: Mouse Morris
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £363,999.38
- 2nd – £137,138.56
- 3rd – £68,633.97
- 4th – £34,284.64
- 5th – £17,207.01
- 6th – £8,603.50
- 7th – £4,269.41
- 8th – £2,199.39
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £8.50
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.60, 2nd – £1.40, 3rd – £4.80
- Exacta – £17.10
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £13.10
- Trifecta – £191.80
- Tricast – £182.61
Recap
There was no mad dash for the lead as the runners set off, with Derek Fox and Ahoy Senor taking the bull by the horns to lead over the first fence. Gentlemansgame towards the outside, with Banbridge in third and keen to save ground against the inside rail. The Real Whacker clattered the obstacle but remained prominent alongside Galopin Des Champs and Monty’s Star. The McManus duo of Inothewayurthinkin and Corbetts Cross came next, followed by Royal Pagaille, who brought up the rear.
Moving into the backstretch for the first time, The Real Whaker moved up to pressurise the leader. Galopin Des Champs seemed intent on maintaining a wide position to get a clear look at his fences. Whilst Ahoy Senor was setting no more than a fair pace, Royal Pagaille was already becoming a little detached on ground far quicker than ideal.
Little change in the order as the field completed the first circuit, as Ahoy Senor continued to jump well if a little out to his right. More serious blunders were made by Banbridge and notably Monty’s Star, who tested Rachael Blackmore’s ability to stay in the saddle at the ninth.
Moving away from the stands for the final time, Ahoy Senor led Gentlemansgame and The Real Whacker as a wave of three outsiders forged ahead. Banbridge and Monty’s Star came next, followed by Galopin Des Champs, who struggled to find his usual slick rhythm. Inothewayurthinkin quietly ridden and kept to the inside, followed by Corbetts Cross and Royal Pagaille.
Having made it no further than the 17th fence in his previous Gold Cup outing, the frontrunning Ahoy Senor departed two fences earlier this time around – his fall hampering Monty’s Star, Galopin Des Champs and Corbetts Cross. That incident allowed Gentlemansgame and The Real Whacker to open up a four-length advantage at the head of affairs.
Turning for home, Galopin Des Champs began to make his move – travelling around the outside onto the heels of Gentlemansgame as The Real Whacker began to wilt. However, the favourite wasn’t the only runner moving nicely, with Inothewayurthinkin catching the eye as he tracked the move of the champ.
Galopin Des Champs led into the straight, but the green and gold duo of Corbetts Cross and Inothewayurthinkin were beginning to charge. The former tragically suffered a fatal fall at the second last, but Inothewayurthinkin edged into the lead approaching the final flight before kicking six lengths clear on the run to the line. No treble for the outgoing champ, who took second, with Gentlemansgame posting a career-best effort in third.
A first Cheltenham Gold Cup for Gavin Cromwell and Mark Walsh, whilst JP McManus grabbed a second following the success of Synchronised in 2012.
Runners
- 1. Ahoy Senor – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Lucinda Russell, Jockey: Derek Fox
- 2. Banbridge – SP: 13/2, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: J J Slevin
- 3. Corbetts Cross – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Emmet Mullins, Jockey: Jack Kennedy
- 4. Galopin Des Champs – SP: 8/13F, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend
- 5. Gentlemansgame – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Mouse Morris, Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
- 6. Inothwayurthinkin – SP: 15/2, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Jockey: Mark Walsh
- 7. Monty’s Star – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
- 8. Royale Pagaille – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Venetia Williams, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
- 9. The Real Whacker – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Patrick Neville, Jockey: Brian Hughes
Non-Runners
All Ran