Has dual winner Galopin Des Champs finally met his match in the Cheltenham Gold Cup from stablemate Fact To File?
This was one of Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan’s main talking points in the second episode of Unbridled.
The Willie Mullins pair are dominating the market for next March’s big race, with Fact To File at 7/2 and a regular 5/2 ahead of the defending champion.
The first meeting between the two took place at John Durkan’s stacked renewal at Punchestown last weekend. Fact To File impressed many by seeing off fellow Gold Cup contenders Spillane’s Tower and Fastorslow, while Galopin Des Champs stayed in contention until being passed over in third place late on. to.
Matt questioned the amount of markers for the extended 3.5 mile test in March, but Paddy was clearly the winner.
Fact To File (nearby) and Galopin Des Champs battle at John Durkan.
“Fact To File is the only company that really got any attention this weekend,” Brennan said. “I think he’s just an incredible animal and someone who gets things done so easily.
“All roads lead to the Gold Cup. I was impressed by him.”
Chapman wasn’t so quick to look away from the reigning champion. He said: “The general point after John Durkan is that this is one of the most incredible races I have ever seen, with Fact To File, Spillane’s Tower, Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow all mixed in.
“It was great to see them all come together, but I think it’s very special that everyone is racing over 2.5 miles as the key test of races over extended three miles and two furlongs.
“I completely understand that this was a fantastic horse race, but this was full of horses that didn’t run the trip they should have run. I don’t think that gives any clues as to what happens in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
“Stamina is key for Galopin Des Champs, but with John Durkan it was the one thing he didn’t need. Give him three quarters at Cheltenham and he will power through everything.
Galopin Des Champs have qualified for their second successive Cheltenham Gold Cup this year.
“You’re playing against one of the greatest Gold Cup winners. He’s not old. He’s only eight years old, he’ll be nine next year. Technically, he should be in his prime.”
“But he didn’t stand in the way of Fact To File in 2023,” Brennan said.
“To get to the pinnacle of being a Gold Cup horse, you have to win a lot of trips.
“Fact To File won over three miles so we pretty much know he stays, I have no doubt about that.
Fact To File and Mark Walsh win the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham this year.
“At John Durkan, everyone is on a level playing field.
“We know Galopin Des Champs is a better player and is running well, but we wouldn’t change the Fact To File. He ticks all the boxes.
“When you climb a hill twice in the Gold Cup like Galopin Des Champs, it has to make sense to climb it a third time.
“I think it will be a lot easier for a new hustler like Fact To File and he has everything he needs to win the Gold Cup.”
Watch Matt & Paddy Unbridled on the At The Races YouTube channel and podcast platforms.
