The Road To Gold

The final day of last year’s Cheltenham Festival celebrated 100 years of Jump racing’s greatest prize, the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. The atmosphere at the Home of Jump Racing was more intense, exhilarating and exciting than ever before. Gold Cup Day was going to be sensational, the sports most coveted trophy had travelled far and wide, an opening ceremony with Gold Cup legends was part of the script and of course the long anticipated race itself. Every Cheltenham Gold Cup winner gets their name etched in history, but the winner on the 100th anniversary of the race is something very special indeed.

Racegoers and the thousands of viewers, around the world were treated to an outstanding performance from the defending champion Galopin Des Champs, to beat Gerri Columbe in second and the ever-popular Randox Grand National winner Corach Rambler in third. The race was a spine-tingling thrill and was the icing on the cake for prolific Irish training supremo Willie Mullins, who celebrated his 100th Cheltenham Festival winner earlier in the week. It seemed fitting that the most successful Cheltenham Festival winning trainer of all time, should win the blue ribband race on its 100th anniversary.

Like it or not, from the start of the season, every racing professional, punter and fan have one thing on their mind, and it is those four magical days in March and from what we have been able to indulge in, so far this season, the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup 2025 is looking hugely exciting and competitive, as at the moment, there are many you could make a case for.

At the end of last season, Galopin Des Champs looked like he could join the likes of Best Mate, Arkle and Cottage Rake to become the fourth horse in the history of the race to win three Cheltenham Gold Cups. However, with the novice division from last season, really stepping up to the mark on what we have seen so far, it is not going to be a penalty kick for him.

A notable Gold Cup trial is always the Betfair Chase at Haydock, a strong field headed by Grey Dawning, the handsome grey stepping out of novice company for the first time, with last year’s winner Royal Pagaille looking like his biggest danger before the off. Haydock and the soft conditions are two things that Rich Ricci’s charge, Royal Pagaille relishes and despite Grey Dawning jumping to the front over the last, the course specialist got up to score, awarding Rich and Sussanah Ricci with an incredible 100th Grade 1 victory. It will be interesting to see Grey Dawning’s next appearance, his exuberant jumping and enthusiastic way of running at Haydock, didn’t work in his favor in the conditions, but instead played in the lap of the eventual winner.

On the same weekend, on the other side of the water, all eyes were on the John Durkan chase at Punchestown, as some of Irelands leading contenders were meeting for the first time this season. It was our first chance to see Willie Mullin’s superstar Galopin Des Champs, as he made his season debut along with his previous nemesis Fastorslow and the much-anticipated novice chaser from last season Fact To File in the famous JP McManus silks.

The race which promised so much on paper did not disappoint with three of the leading protagonists, Galopin Des Champs, Fastorslow and Fact To File heading into the last fence in contention, with outsider Spillanes Tower up there too. Fact To File headed Galopin Des Champs over the last and pulled away with a gallant Spillanes Tower showing a quick turn of foot in the final stages only to be held off by half a length. The two new kids on the block, got the better of the old guard on this occasion with Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow in third and fourth respectively.

Now as we approach a Christmas cracker of racing over the festive season, the excitement is palpable for how the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup picture is going to evolve over the next few weeks. First stop is Kempton Park on Boxing Day, for the Ladbrokes King George VI chase, a steppingstone on the way to the ultimate prize in March. The young pretender Grey Dawning is supposed to line up, he could be facing Irish hope Corbetts Cross and Down Royal Ladbrokes Champion Chase winner Envoi Allen, fan favourite and last year’s winner Hewick. If Grey Dawning scores for the unstoppable Skelton brothers –Britian can confidently going into the Cheltenham Festival, believing they have a very live chance of regaining the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup after six years of it going way the way of the Irish. 

Just a few days later over in Dublin, we will see the Irish go to war in the Savills Chase, it looks like we will get a rematch between Fact To File and the great Galopin Des Champs. Last year’s second in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, Gerri Columbe also looks to have this race in his sights, and we can’t rule out Spillanes Tower after his tremendous effort in the John Durkan.  

Pinch yourself, as we witness a vintage year in the Boodles Gold Cup division and all that remains is to embrace, enjoy and savor the Jump racing feast ahead of us.