It has been an eventful week throughout the Cheltenham festival so far, today Galopin Des Champs takes to the course in his bid to win three consecutive Gold cups, Best mate was the last horse to complete the hat trick in 2004.
But we can expect fireworks from the get go? The 13:20 is the first race where we see two very excitable prospects go to head to head in the JCB Triumph hurdle. Nicky Henderson trains Lulamba who is two for two currently, he will match up against East India Dock, trained by James Owen, who is three wins from three runs with one coming at the January trials here in Cheltenham. These two head the market and are expected to battle it out. East India Dock edges the market favour as 15/8 favourite.
An exciting county hurdle sees top trainer Willie Mullins, who looks to add another winner to his regime with favourite Kargese who was second in last years Triumph hurdle. Mullins also has three other runners including last years winner Absurde. Dan Skelton looks to get another winner in his bid for Champion trainer with Valgrand. Kargese is the current 10/3 favourite.
The 14:40 Mares Chase sees Mullins lead the market again with strong favourite Dinoblue and Allegorie De Vassy, whilst the inform Gavin Cromwell brings Brides Hill and last years race winner Limerick Lace. Dinoblue heads the market as 6/4 favourite.
The Albert Bartlett tees us up to the Gold cup in a very competitive field with the market leader The Big Westerner at 5/1 favourite although mares very rarely get aimed for this race. Jet Blue heads over from France looking to add to his win at Cheltenham during trials day. Mullins has six runners and last years Champion Bumper winner is his top pick for champion jockey Paul Townend.
The GOLD CUP, its the race of the year and Steeple chasing great Galopin Des Champs looks to put his name down in history books, after winning back to back Gold Cups, he sets up a three timer in what feels a weaker field and is his to lose. He heads eight other rivals, with Banbridge an interesting winner following his victory in the KING GEORGE at Kempton.
Galopin Des Champs has won a total prize pot of ÂŁ1,644,694 and a win would see him exceed two million in prize earnings.
The St. James Challenge Cup at 16:40 sees Angels Dawn head the market as current 3/1 favourite Angels Dawn look set to have his say last year before falling two out, he will take on last years runner up Its On The Line, and English trainer Paul Nicholls, who got his first winner with Caldwell Potter yesterday, he has Shearer who has won all four of his last runs.
To conclude the day and the festival, The Martin Pipe Handicap, where the amateur jockeys get their chance to impress and Mullins has Kopeck De Mee who is yet to run in the UK. He leads the market at 9/4, Wodhooh is an interesting winner who is seven from seven and won nicely in a tough field in Cheltenham in the new year, but the chance for younger jockeys to use this as a big stepping stone.
