Galopin Des Champs won back-to-back Gold Cups this afternoon with a brilliant ride at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Willie Mullins-trained horse, ridden by Paul Townend, stayed in contention behind pacesetter The Real Whacker for much of the trip but moved through the gears to cruise home as the 10/11 favourite and become just the third horse this century to retain the trophy.
Gerri Colombe was second at 13/2 with Corach Rambler third at 14/1.
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Although the outcome was the same, Townend said he rode him very differently to his win in 2023.
He told ITV Sport: “Unbelievable. We had to go through his reserves.
“I rode him completely different to last year and he was so brave for me. I was afraid we didn’t have enough but it’s the Gold Cup so we had to go for it.
“What makes him a champion? His heart probably. We had to go through reserves which only special horses have.”
Winning owner Audrey Turley was thrilled with her horse’s achievement. She said: “We are so happy and excited. It is just fantastic.
“He is a fantastic horse. It isn’t easy to win back to back Gold Cups. We couldn’t be more thrilled and to do it on the 100th anniversary of the Gold Cup – what a moment.”
Mullins, who racked up 100 wins at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday, was impressed with the way Galopin Des Champs dismissed the threat of Fastorslow, who unseated his rider and became a nuisance to the leaders, and believes the win gives Galopin Des Champs elite status.
He said: “I think he just put himself into the superstar category, to do what he did and the way he did it with the loose horse.
“We will come back and try to win it for a third time. He has the ability to do it.
“He gave us no concern really, it was the loose horse which was the one concern.
“He hit one fence early, third or fourth, but after that it was very easy. Paul got him into position and he was travelling easily.”
