Galopin Des Champs rediscovers championship-winning form to break Punchestown jinx
Galopin Des Champs rediscovered his championship-winning form to break his Punchestown jinx on Wednesday. The outstanding chaser tried to make history at the Cheltenham Festival by clinching a rare Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick.
Despite going off the 8-13 favourite, he was thwarted by rising star Inothewayurthinkin who defeated him by six lengths. Trainer Willie Mullins gave Galopin Des Champs a chance to redeem himself in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup on a track which had not been a happy hunting ground lately.
Paul Townend produces 'feat of horsemanship' to win Grade 1 for Willie Mullins with no irons
James Milner and Danny Welbeck's exciting racehorse to challenge for 2,000 Guineas
He had been beaten on his last three visits to the course, twice by Fastorslow and once in a race won by stablemate Fact To File. Galopin Des Champs faced three rivals in the latest renewal, including the King George VI Chase winner Banbridge.
Jockey Paul Townend took him straight to the front and Galopin Des Champs drew further and further away from his opponents, winning by 22 lengths to claim his 15 Grade 1 victory, producing the performance of a chasing great.
'We are very, very fortunate to have him,' said the winning jockey. 'Obviously we were very disappointed coming away from Cheltenham.
'The reception he gets his special and we are just lucky to be a part of it. He's a unique horse.'
Galopin Des Champs gave Townend his only scare when jinking at the road crossing and producing a scruffy jump at the last.
'It wouldn't be like him at all but the fact he done it meant he was doing things easy enough,' Townend said. 'In fairness he gave me plenty of warning. After that he got in a good rhythm and enjoyed it.
'He was taking me today whereas I was trying to hang in there in Cheltenham. He wasn't right in Cheltenham and thankfully it didn't leave a huge mark on him which it could have with the effort he put in.
'He got me out of trouble at the last, there's no lying about it. He's all class."
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Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
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Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
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Advertisement Ryan Moore has chosen Minnie Hauk of the Aidan O'Brien trio but there isn't much between her, Giselle and Whirl who all have each-way chances. 1st Elwateen 2nd Desert Flower 3rd Whirl FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Charlie Appleby has rain worries for Derby favourite Ruling Court
The Godolphin trainer saddles the 2,000 Guineas winner at Epsom but rain has arrived at the Surrey track where showers are forecast through Friday and Saturday Charlie Appleby has rain worries ahead of Ruling Court's attempt to complete the 2,000 Guineas-Derby double. The colt heads the betting for the £1.5 million Betfred Derby after capturing the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. A Derby victory would put him on a path to the Triple Crown, for which Betfred are offering a £2 million bonus if the St Leger is also landed. He faces 19 runners, the biggest field since 2003, and is rated by jockey William Buick as the best horse in the race. However ground conditions at Epsom could be much different to Newmarket where the going was good, with good to firm patches in the final furlong, according to clerk of the course Andrew Cooper. READ MORE: The Derby tips: full field, horse by horse guide, latest odds and 1-2-3 prediction for Epsom 'This will be my 30th Derby as Clerk of the Course and I have never known such a prolonged dry period from March through to April and into May,' he said 'Here and now, if we were racing at Epsom Downs at this moment, I would have a straightforward call of Good on the ground. That follows 3.5mm of rain on Tuesday afternoon which was kind of forecast.' Another 4.4mm of rain had fallen at the track up to 11.15am on Thursday but more could arrive on Friday and Saturday. 'We could have two quite showery days on Friday and Saturday. Saturday in particular has the potential to have some heavy showers but we will see. 'We all know in this game the volume of rain on a raceday, when you are racing over ground, it doesn't take lots to shift things and you are relying very much on jockeys' opinions as to how it's riding. 'I can't see any scenario at present where we would be quicker than Good come Saturday and I think there is every indication that we are going to be on the slower side to some degree through the two days.' That might not be good news for supporters of Ruling Court, despite having trained well since his Guineas triumph. Appleby said: 'We wouldn't want the ground to get too soft by Saturday, so any significant amount of rain would be a negative. 'We won't know if he truly gets a mile and a half until we try, but he gives us all the indications that he should get the trip. We know that he is the class horse in the field, which helps, and being able to travel around Epsom is probably more important than being a proper mile-and-a-half horse. 'We can have no complaints with being drawn seven and are very pleased with how his preparation has gone. He is an exciting Derby contender, for sure.'
