Is there value in taking on Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup?

Entries have now been revealed for the three big Grade 1 chases at the Cheltenham Festival and Tom Park has picked out his ante-post selections for each race . . .

• British Gold Cup challenge hits new low as entries for major Cheltenham Festival chases are revealed 

Cheltenham Gold Cup

L'Homme Presse16:00 Cheltenham

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Jky: Tnr: Venetia Williams

History is on the horizon for Galopin Des Champs as he bids for a hat-trick of Cheltenham Gold Cup wins in March, and it is difficult to see what beats him. 

He is still only a nine-year-old and is proven in just about every aspect you need to win the famous race once again. However, he is the 11-10 favourite and I'm not sure he will be much shorter than that on the day even if the likes of Fact To File and Gerri Colombe turn up as expected.

There aren't many holes in the form of Galopin Des Champs, but he might be slightly vulnerable if the ground was to come up quick. His two Gold Cup wins have come on soft ground and, while he posted an RPR of 181 in the Savills Chase last month on good to yielding going, his best form aside from that run has been when there is cut in the ground.

He clearly loves it at Leopardstown, too, and, while there is no real evidence to suggest he is any worse at Cheltenham, I could see Fact To File getting a good bit closer in March.

However, it is hard to argue there is much value in the latter's price of 4-1, particularly as he has the Ryanair entry too, so I am going to look a little bit further down the market, and the one who catches the eye is L'Homme Presse, who is available at 25-1 non-runner no bet with William Hill.

He too has the Ryanair as an option, but owner Andy Edwards said that alternative would only be on the table if the ground was to come up soft. Given the best chance of beating Galopin Des Champs might be on better ground, he looks a big each-way price with the NRNB concession.

L'Homme Presse looked a huge danger to Galopin Des Champs as they approached the second-last in the 2024 Gold Cup, but his challenge faltered after he was struck into when jumping that fence.

He is a ten-year-old, but is lightly raced for his age with just six runs in the last three campaigns. He was late to get going last season following a 391-day layoff, but all seems to have gone well this term. He has a huge engine and I'd be surprised if he is not much shorter than 25-1 on the day.

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Queen Mother Champion Chase

Il Est Francais16:00 Cheltenham

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Jky: Tnr: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

There are only two horses who can beat Jonbon in the Champion Chase: Gaelic Warrior and Il Est Francais. While the former is 7-2, the latter can be backed at 16-1, and I think he would have a fantastic chance if he were to line up.

The drop to two miles might be the making of the French-trained seven-year-old, as he has shown tons of speed in his two British starts and is spectacular at his fences. Jonbon has looked vulnerable when his jumping is put under pressure, and Il Est Francais would certainly do that.

He is, of course, a risky betting proposition with so many options (also entered in the Ryanair and the Gold Cup), but that only makes the 6-1 NRNB with William Hill stand out. I wouldn't put anyone off taking the 16-1 either.

Ryanair Chase

El Fabiolo15:20 Cheltenham

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Jky: Tnr: W P Mullins

The Ryanair market is fascinating. Fact To File is the 4-1 favourite, but surely the Gold Cup is his most likely target, while 5-1 second-favourite Banbridge is hugely ground dependent and has entries in all three Grade 1 chases. Gaelic Warrior, Il Est Francais and Energumene all have other targets, so that leaves some value to be had.

The Ryanair is Spillane's Tower's only entry and he looks a decent price at 7-1. He might just be a notch below a Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival winner, however, and I think it is worth taking a chance on El Fabiolo, who also has a Champion Chase entry, running here.

Willie Mullins said in his stable tour earlier in the season that they might look to step El Fabiolo up in trip and, given the trainer has Energumene and Gaelic Warrior in the Champion Chase, that makes the 8-1 really good value for the Ryanair.

He has tons of class and the step up to 2m4½f should help alleviate the pressure on his jumping, which cost him dearly in the Champion Chase and Celebration Chase last season. 

He is 5-1 NRNB with William Hill if you want insurance, but I'd be tempted to take the 8-1 as I'd be surprised if this is not his likely target.

Festival Fields:

British Gold Cup challenge hits new low as entries for major Cheltenham Festival chases are revealed 

Spillane's Tower Ryanair-bound with Gold Cup coming 'a year too soon' for dual Grade 1 winner 

Gerri Colombe 'can be the one to give Galopin most to think about' says Gordon Elliott as he hands top chaser surprise British option 

Keith Melrose: Ryanair market looks set for a big shake-up - and this proven top-class chaser could end up a whole lot shorter 

How the King George has muddied this year's Cheltenham Festival picture - plus more key talking points 

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