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This is the fifth and final instalment of our Cheltenham Festival 2024 Best Bets preview series following from our Stayers Hurdle, Ryanair Chase, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase picks. We also have a comprehensive guide to all things Cheltenham Festival 2024: just clink the link here.
An air of familiarity surrounds this renewal of the flagship race of the entire Cheltenham Festival: The Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Willie Mullins juggernaut and last year’s winner Galopin Des Champs bids to retain a second consecutive Gold Cup. It would be Willie Mullins’ fourth win since 2019, a phenomenal record.
We check out best bets and best Cheltenham odds from our partner firms, Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
Galopin Des Champs
With the exception of the two inexplicable defeats to Fastorslow last year, the Willie Mullins trained Gold Cup winner from last year is firmly on course to repeat last year’s success. Any doubts were firmly put to bed with a lethally emphatic win in the Savills Chase last Christmas, beating Gold Cup rival Gerri Colombe by some 23 lengths.
More significantly, Galopin finally banished the Fastorslow curse with a 4-length defeat in the Punchestown Gold Cup. The one to beat at Evens best with William Hill, Betfred and Boylesports.
Fastorslow
This Martin Brassil trained eight-year-old has propelled himself to be one of the toughest stayers around. The remarkable feat of beating Galopin Des Champs not just once but on two consecutive occasions, is a testament to the horse’s tenacious abilities.
However, the latest 4 ½ lengths defeat in the Irish Gold Cup goes some way to suggest that Galopin may have had two off days. Nevertheless, Fastorslow’s Cheltenham CV is rock solid based on two narrow defeats in two of the toughest handicaps of the Cheltenham Festival week. He is right in the mix at 9/2 with Bet365 and Betfred.
Shishkin
Shishkin’s transition from exalted Grade One hurdle winner to tough staying chaser has not exactly been straightforward. The weather and his unpredictable mood more or less shut down his season last autumn.
However, his run in The King George despite falling at the second last was wholly encouraging and trust in this Nicky Henderson trained enigma paid off when he landed the Denman Chase in good workmanlike style last month.
But it is a big ask for him to challenge Galopin for this crown but it is within his scope of ability. The staying power of this horse is typical of the kind that Seven Barrows produce and he will not be timid of the Cheltenham Hill if a scrap ensues.
The head would wisely place selection on the Willie Mullins favourite however the enigmatic appeal of this unpredictable but hugely talented chaser warrants a little bit of emotionally induced decision-making.
The stands will collapse if this horse obliges, such is the appeal, and we would want to be a big part of that. Our selection at 7/1 best with Bet365.
The Each Way Contenders
Gerri Colombe
The Gordon Elliott trained chief Gold Cup hope was surely exposed to his limits with the thumping he received from Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase. Very hard to see him reversing that form and others are preferred for each way calculations. 10/1 best with Bet365.
L'Homme Presse
He would need a bottomless surface and several to run under par to figure here. If it is a race of attrition going up the hill, he could sneak into a place. 14/1 best with William Hill.
Bravemansgame
This is without doubt the each way bet of the race and possibly for the entire week. The Paul Nicholls 2022 King George winner is ignored at your peril.
He gave Galopin Des Champs a fine run for his money by staying on impressively in last year’s renewal. Things may have turned out differently with different tactics, so its likely Harry Cobden may either lay down a later challenge or set a blistering pace to test Galopin.
It has been a topsy turvy season for Bravemansgame, but the soundbites are good from the stable. Cracking each way at 16/1 with Bet365 and Betfred.
Verdict
Sensible calculations would conclude that this is Galopin Des Champ’s to lose. His form has been scintillating since his 2 defeats to Fastorslow and he certainly knows his way around Cheltenham.
His jockey would also be looking at an unprecedented fourth Gold Cup win as Paul Townend bids to equal the two wins he gained from Al Boum Photo.
However, this year’s renewal has an extra degree of spice. There is still a sense of the unexposed Gold Cup horse about Shishkin regarding this trip and it is worth taking the risk to back this exciting, unpredictable but hugely talented enigma.
Selection
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- Cheltenham Festival 2024 Free Bets!
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- Best Bets for Cheltenham Festival 2024!
FREE BETS AT CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2024
BET365
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WILLIAM HILL
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