2026 Gold Cup

[Yosser]

Does anyone give Galopin any chance of winning the GC? I know Willie said that the DRF run will put him right for the GC but I think he's talking shit. I really love GDC and he's been one of the best around so my heart is saying don't cash him out but my head is saying a big yes.
I've got Jango, Jukebox and Gaelic covered and think the winner will come from one of those 3. Gaelic comes here imo as Willie won't want to miss a very good chance of his son wining the ultimate prize.

When I think about Jukebox and Jango and where they are in the market, I always come back to Galopin Des Champs and ask myself the question, Can these two beat Galopin? That's without even factoring on the others and I always come back to 'no' whether that is wise or not I don't know but I just can't see them beating him. Maybe next year but he still has enough left IMO to deal with those two up the hill

 

[Wayward Lad]

Does anyone give Galopin any chance of winning the GC? I know Willie said that the DRF run will put him right for the GC but I think he's talking shit. I really love GDC and he's been one of the best around so my heart is saying don't cash him out but my head is saying a big yes.
I've got Jango, Jukebox and Gaelic covered and think the winner will come from one of those 3. Gaelic comes here imo as Willie won't want to miss a very good chance of his son wining the ultimate prize.

I am in the camp that says younger legs will prevail and there are a fair few younger legs with serious chances this year

 

[EnvoiAlien]

When I think about Jukebox and Jango and where they are in the market, I always come back to Galopin Des Champs and ask myself the question, Can these two beat Galopin? That's without even factoring on the others and I always come back to 'no' whether that is wise or not I don't know but I just can't see them beating him. Maybe next year but he still has enough left IMO to deal with those two up the hill

The GDC of 2 seasons ago was a different beast to this seasons GDC, think we'd all love to see him emulate kauto & reclaim his crown, but for me an honorable 4th would be a fantastic run, anything more than that the roof of the stands could be under threat.

 

[YoungHustler]

When I think about Jukebox and Jango and where they are in the market, I always come back to Galopin Des Champs and ask myself the question, Can these two beat Galopin? That's without even factoring on the others and I always come back to 'no' whether that is wise or not I don't know but I just can't see them beating him. Maybe next year but he still has enough left IMO to deal with those two up the hill

Would love a GDC win but he couldn't beat Gaelic lto and I don't think Willie's excuse about the Savills taking more out of him doesn't rest well with me. I can't really believe Willie didn't have GDC at his best to win his 4th Irish GC. Maybe the longer recovery time until the GC may help but he was very easily beaten in the Irish version for my liking and i'm a huge fan of his. I think time could finally be catching up with him and that third GC last year may have been his breaking point.

 

[Craigy14]

Would love a GDC win but he couldn't beat Gaelic lto and I don't think Willie's excuse about the Savills taking more out of him doesn't rest well with me. I can't really believe Willie didn't have GDC at his best to win his 4th Irish GC. Maybe the longer recovery time until the GC may help but he was very easily beaten in the Irish version for my liking and i'm a huge fan of his. I think time could finally be catching up with him and that third GC last year may have been his breaking point.

I agree about the Irish gold cup YH, Leopardstown would have went absolutely mental with joy had he won a 4th Irish gold cup and rightly so. I’m in the camp that at his age it’s taking its toll on him.

Remember when older horses have setbacks it’ll take longer to get back and then what are they when they come back. I don’t believe that WPM wouldn’t have had him cherry ripe for last weekend, to think he can improve on that, I’m not so sure. Then how much has the race itself taken out of him, he’s been an absolute champion over the last 4 years it’s bound to catch up with him.

Edit - might be mad but he’d be one of my lays of the meeting, not that I do any of the laying business etc. Hope I’m wrong as it would be something else for him to regain his crown.

 

[Killiney]

I agree about the Irish gold cup YH, Leopardstown would have went absolutely mental with joy had he won a 4th Irish gold cup and rightly so. I’m in the camp that at his age it’s taking its toll on him.

Remember when older horses have setbacks it’ll take longer to get back and then what are they when they come back. I don’t believe that WPM wouldn’t have had him cherry ripe for last weekend, to think he can improve on that, I’m not so sure. Then how much has the race itself taken out of him, he’s been an absolute champion over the last 4 years it’s bound to catch up with him.

Edit - might be mad but he’d be one of my lays of the meeting, not that I do any of the laying business etc. Hope I’m wrong as it would be something else for him to regain his crown.

I think age is in this case shorthand for too many hard races. They are taking their toll on him now in my opinion.

 

[BigL]

Does anyone give Galopin any chance of winning the GC? I know Willie said that the DRF run will put him right for the GC but I think he's talking shit. I really love GDC and he's been one of the best around so my heart is saying don't cash him out but my head is saying a big yes.
I've got Jango, Jukebox and Gaelic covered and think the winner will come from one of those 3. Gaelic comes here imo as Willie won't want to miss a very good chance of his son wining the ultimate prize.

As much as I would like to see galopin win, I cannot see it. He hasn't looked anywhere near the same horse. The aging process from 9-10 is rapid in a race horse and he has had so many top performances over the years that cause wear and tear

 

[BigL]

I can't help but think that all those at the top of the market are not true stayers, could see a dour stayer at a biggish price winning this

 

[FinalFurlong91]

I think age is in this case shorthand for too many hard races. They are taking their toll on him now in my opinion.

Yeah the way hes finished his two races this season he either isnt fully fit and being primed for one last go at the gold cup or he has gone to the well too many times

We wont know for sure until the race happens

Even as someone who backed him after xmas id be leaning towards the latter

I do think if the galopin of last season turns up he will win. But im not sure how likely that is.

I feel the DRF usually provides answers. This year due to the ground all its provided is questions.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

I can't help but think that all those at the top of the market are not true stayers, could see a dour stayer at a biggish price winning this

Well that’s the thing that imo could enable GDC to have a fair chance, if the likes of Jango, FTF, GW and Jukebox don’t stay well enough.
Imo would only take one of them though to stay well to prevent GDC winning again.

 

[FinalFurlong91]

Well that’s the thing that imo could enable GDC to have a fair chance, if the likes of Jango, FTF, GW and Jukebox don’t stay well enough.
Imo would only take one of them though to stay well to prevent GDC winning again.

Cromwell will be getting the special carrots prepared for the reigning champ

God i hope he doesnt win

Il have the exchange open though. Id say we will know within 2 or 3 fences what will happen with him.

 

[BigL]

Cromwell will be getting the special carrots prepared for the reigning champ

God i hope he doesnt win

Il have the exchange open though. Id say we will know within 2 or 3 fences what will happen with him.

That fall couldn't have done his confidence any good. He jumped terribly the whole way...however I do remember him jumping terribly all of last season until the gold cup

 

[Many Clouds]

Must be a good chance the reigning champ doesnt make it, especially when the owners have FTF and Spillanes Tower, no need to flog him anymore than needs be:

INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN is not certain to try and defend his Gold Cup crown at Cheltenham, Gavin Cromwell tells @WillHillRacing.

"It's still up in the air. Unless we’re very happy with him when the time comes, he won’t be going."

 

[EnvoiAlien]

Must be a good chance the reigning champ doesnt make it, especially when the owners have FTF and Spillanes Tower, no need to flog him anymore than needs be:

INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN is not certain to try and defend his Gold Cup crown at Cheltenham, Gavin Cromwell tells @WillHillRacing.

"It's still up in the air. Unless we’re very happy with him when the time comes, he won’t be going."

Thought it might happen, did notice he also wasn't in the GN entries, which was something they was keen on, bit of a red flag imo.

 

[Guinness Village]

Spillanes the JP horse this year

 

[Benjy23]

Shame that everyone's been convinced he's been hiding all season when he's just been shite.

 

[Yosser]

Shame that everyone's been convinced he's been hiding all season when he's just been shite.

Fortunately, the bookies priced us out of having a bet all the way through and now he is priced, nobody wants him.

 

[FinalFurlong91]

Thought it might happen, did notice he also wasn't in the GN entries, which was something they was keen on, bit of a red flag imo.

One of the reasons i was very windy on him pre season was we have seen over GDCs career he tends to break horses who try to beat him

Think bravemansgame and gerri colombe

So its very possible the effort the cromwell horse put in to beat GDC has finished him

Plenty of gold cup winners are never as good again

Like minella indo and a plus tard recently

 

[Hurricane fly]

Just seen Fastorslow is 50/1 NRNB in places.

Has placed twice at the festival before - still can't believe Corach Rambler beat him! - but both times behind classy horses in CR and Commander of Fleet beaten less than a length combined.
One of the few horses to have had GDC behind him over 3m and unseated last year before it really got going.

Disappointing so far this year, but has course form and for a 10 year old is lightly raced so could have another big run in him.

 

[Liammet]

Just seen Fastorslow is 50/1 NRNB in places.

Has placed twice at the festival before - still can't believe Corach Rambler beat him! - but both times behind classy horses in CR and Commander of Fleet beaten less than a length combined.
One of the few horses to have had GDC behind him over 3m and unseated last year before it really got going.

Disappointing so far this year, but has course form and for a 10 year old is lightly raced so could have another big run in him.

Think it was 2 years ago when he unseated