What to make of Galopin Des Champs
On the face of it, we were about to witness something very special in the Turners Novice Chase this year, when Galopin Des Champs was going to bolt up and beat the highly regarded Bob Olinger by as many lengths as he liked. His fall at the last was simply a novice mistake and he will have learnt plenty from that going forward and will be a better chaser as a result. I was on and backed Bob Olinger, so I was very fortunate to get a winner, but we take it as there are plenty of times when you are on the wrong side of those events.
Looking to the future, I think Willie Mullins will find it very difficult to him place as no one seems to know what trip he wants or what horses to take on. To me, he is an out and out
3-mile chaser I think, as he won a grade 1 over 3 miles at Punchestown last Spring as a 5-year-old, which is super talented to be able to do at such a young age. In all his races, he has hit the line so strongly which supports this. Even though he seems very quick, the best 3 milers have that speed. There is talk of dropping down to 2 miles, but I don’t think this will happen as Willie has Energumene in that division and he won’t want them to take each other on. They won’t stay at 2 and half miles as people either want to win the Champion Chase or Gold Cup, not the Ryanair. Plus, Willie has Allaho for the Ryanair, and he looks very dominant in this division. For me, this will mean they will aim him at next year’s Gold Cup, which is the right race I think for him.
To me, he is the type of horse that might struggle to win one of the big races as he seems like he has attributes to win any of the big races at Cheltenham next year, which might in fact hinder his chances. Will he stay the Gold Cup trip? Is he fast enough for the Champion Chase? Unlikely to be aimed at the Ryanair? If I was to put an ante-post bet on him for Cheltenham next year, it would be for the Gold Cup, but I don’t think he is worth a bet yet!
1o/1 – 2023 Champion Chase
6/1 – 2023 Ryanair
4/1 – 2023 Gold Cup
