Where are all the Gold Cup contenders? Running and hiding from a champ who can't be beat, that's where

Has Galopin Des Champs frightened them off? That was an early thought while gazing in deep concern at the number of entries for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after a list of just 19 names was published on Tuesday.

From the perspective of anyone who wanted a bumper entry, the timing of this year's deadline was unfortunate, coming less than a fortnight after the superstar staying chaser bounced back to form with an impressive success in the Savills Chase. Galopin Des Champs dominated that race, looking like a heavyweight boxer with a point to prove, not the least bit interested in efficiency or economy of effort but instead underlining just how much better he was than his rivals.

Well, then – who wants to climb into the ring with him now? Small wonder if people are turning their backs on any invitation to challenge him, connections muttering about how the Gold Cup isn't really the right target at this stage of their one's career.