Galopin Des Champs: A Legend in the Making

As the Cheltenham Gold Cup approaches, all eyes are on Galopin Des Champs, the star horse trained by Willie Mullins, who is vying for an unprecedented third consecutive victory. Only four horses in history, including the legendary Arkle and Best Mate, have achieved this remarkable feat. With the race set to begin at 16:00 GMT on Friday, Galopin Des Champs is the odds-on favorite, and the competition seems sparse.

What Makes Galopin Des Champs So Special?

Willie Mullins, speaking from his Closutton stables in County Carlow, shared his insights on what sets Galopin Des Champs apart. "He's got lots of heart," Mullins told BBC Sport. "He's obviously got athletic ability, but when push comes to shove in those last two furlongs, this guy seems to have reserves of energy. It's also mental. He's tough."

Mullins, who has trained over 200 horses in his 35-year career, believes that a third Gold Cup win would cement Galopin Des Champs as his best horse ever. "If he does the treble, we'll probably have to give him that accolade," Mullins said.

The Competition Ahead

Eight horses will attempt to deny Galopin Des Champs his historic treble. Banbridge, the winner of December's King George VI Chase, is considered the closest rival. The third favorite is Inothewayurthinkin, owned by JP McManus, who paid £25,000 to enter him for the Gold Cup. The British-trained runners—Ahoy Senor, The Real Whacker, and Royale Pagaille—are all outsiders.

The Road to Glory

Galopin Des Champs has already proven his mettle with a seven-length victory in 2023 and a successful defense of his title last year, despite the challenge of a loose horse. Barry Geraghty, a retired jockey with 43 Cheltenham Festival wins, is confident in Galopin's abilities. "He's an absolutely brilliant horse. He's won good Gold Cups with authority," Geraghty said.

The Final Push

Mullins believes Galopin Des Champs is in better form than in previous years but acknowledges the stiffer competition. As the race day approaches, the question remains: Can Galopin Des Champs join the ranks of racing's all-time greats? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—this is a horse that has already made history.

How to Follow the Gold Cup

For those eager to catch every moment, there will be full race commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app starting from 12:30 GMT.