One hundred and one years from the inaugural Gold Cup and Golden Miller's record five wins in the 1930s have gone unmatched. An amazing feat no doubt, not likely to ever be equalled.
That, though was in a time of different toil and comparisons to today are bordering on futile. In the interim Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate have each won three renewals. Galopin Des Champs is one of another four on two wins, he is short odds to move his name amongst those greats today.
Paul Townend last year joined Pat Taaffe as the race's winning most jockey on four, hyperbole in check, now edging to etch himself into legend. A young Willie Mullins sent out favourite Florida Pearl to finish third in '99, twenty years later a less young Mullins finally collected the prize so evidently missing from a heavily laden mantlepiece with Al Boum Photo. Today, he hopes to join Tom Dreaper as the race's most successful trainer.
This week has shown us, no matter how good, there is no such thing as a good thing. At nine Galopin Des Champs would appear to be peaking, his two victories at Leopardstown this winter were comprehensive, never fully extended, the rider not wanting to empty the tank with this defining day in mind.
His excellence has scared off some potential opponents like Fact To File, leaving this the weakest Gold Cup field he has faced. For Arkle's third Gold Cup he bounded clear of old foe Mill House, a solid marker from which to judge. I would love to think we can see a career defining performance today, I'm sure he’s capable of it.
The race though might not be able to conjure it. A keen front running display was looking so special in the Turners Novice of ’22 before toppling at the last. His more settled demeanour, Paul Townend’s gentle style and the lack of a superstar rival means the race may be run conservatively. In that case an impressive performance would be kicking off the home turn and winning by four lengths.
I’m hoping for a scorching gallop, maybe The Real Whacker might provide it, or Townend might let loose. A proper test of a proper horse on his greatest day. To see the field struggle and toil, dropping off one by one and this champion to bound clear. Now that would be the stuff of legend
Of the nine runners I don’t see any that are likely to go a searching gallop. They know that would only play right into the hands of the favourite. Nor do I see anything that can stretch him to go beyond anything he has done before. He has form with six of the field, at his best nothing gets close.
Corbetts Cross is one new rival with over a stone to bridge. Banbridge is the other, of considerably more interest after his King George victory. That was a step up to three miles, whether or not stepping up another quarter of a mile on a stiffer track will benefit the Irish Champion Chase winner is doubtful.
In a week of fallen stars, where have all the big names gone? We need a hero. But he’s gotta be strong, he’s gotta be fast and he’s gotta be larger than life.
The Triumph has long been the big hurdle for staying flat horses. With those types now often fetching big fees to travel Down Under and with our ever expanding more precocious French influence on jumpers. The ex-flat juveniles are getting edged out.
Only one GB bred has won in the past ten years, with East India Dock they have a serious contender. A solid but surely not special staying handicapper on the level, he just loves to jump and has been a revelation. While his technique is good, attitude can be far more important than aptitude when switching from the level.
Three from three, rounded off in a stunning display on this course last time. He will of course be chased by a host of name sporting the FR suffix and a whopping 11 from Closutton, three of which haven’t even run over hurdles.
Gavin Cromwell must be feeling a shade unlucky to only have one on the board. With six placings in the bag he must be itching for another. Hello Neighbour can give East India Dock most to do. Has added two hurdles to his two flat victories from only four starts.
Thus far Ireland’s best Juvenile. You feel Gavin rates him very highly, when previewing for the festival, the vocab doesn’t change but a wry smile and glinted eye appear when this horse’s name crops up.
If Gavin is feeling a touch out of luck his neighbour Gordon Elliott has been rattling off the door all week, it is yet to open. The horses have been running well and there have been huge performances, he needs a hero.
At this stage the most likely looks recent acquisition Willitgoahead in the Foxhunters. The seven-year-old was a late starter, only getting going in the Autumn when he won three points. A promising second at Limerick over Christmas was improved upon at Thurles in January. I doubt there will have been a less experienced winner of this race, it will have to be seen to be believed.
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