“Quite Happy With Him”: Horse Racing Trainer Shares Candid Review on 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup Winning Stallion

The horse racing world witnessed a stroke of sheer talent on March 17, 2023. The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup saw seven iconic horses blaze up the track at Cheltenham Racecourse in England. The son of Sire Timos and out of Dam Manon Des Champs gave his Irish trainer his third Gold Cup.

This seven-year-old gelding was the favorite, with odds of 7-5 to win the Gold Cup and shone remarkably despite the challenges he faced. However, fast forward to December 2023, and the French gelding has faced two upsets recently. Speaking candidly about the game plan ahead, his Irish trainer gave his candid review of the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

Irish horse racing trainer shares review of the French champion gelding

In a recent post on X by Road To Cheltenham, Willie Mullins, the 17-time Irish National Hunt Champion trainer, shared with irishracing.com his candid review after Galopin Des Champs faced defeat at last month’s  John Durkan Chase. Mullins expressed his desire for a rematch to determine if altering tactics could make a difference. The rematch is to prepare Galopin Des Champs for the upcoming race on December 28 at the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

The Irishman said, “I’m looking forward to it and looking forward to see what he can do. I’m quite happy with him at home.” Despite Galopin Des Champs’s losses in two previous races, which were the Punchestown Gold Cup and the John Durkan Chase, it is important to recount the potential he showed when he clinched gold at the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The 2023 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

At the 2023 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, Galopin Des Champs won Willie Mullins his third Gold Cup. Challenges arose for the seven-year-old son of Timos, who struggled to match the speed of Ahoy Senor in the opening circuit. However, Ahoy Senor fell during the race, causing some chaos, but Galopin des Champs emerged unscathed.

Carefully navigating the track, Jockey Paul Townend atop Galopin Des Champs carefully adjusted to the challenges. Despite a hard hit on the third-last fence and doubts about Galopin Des Champs’ stamina, the French gelding crossed the finish line, leaving his formidable competition trailing.

Read more: “This Hadn’t Happened in 155 Years”: Historic Belmont Stakes Winning Trainer Shares Insight on the Future of Horse Racing

With the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown mere days away on December 28, fans hope the new tactics set to be implemented by Willie Mullins for Galopin Des Champs pay off.

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