GAlopin Des Champs heads to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup on Friday, an equal-money opportunity following last year’s failure in seven races at the Bravemansgame, but it looks to be a bigger The 2023 edition is even tighter with Venetia Williams busy people (3.30), roughly 12-1, and there’s plenty of reason to recommend him as a worthy replacement for the favorite. Williams has few rivals as a showjumping trainer, although so far she has eluded her in the sport’s most prestigious event. However, Men’s News looks to be Williams’ best chance in the tournament as popular Teton Mill suffers a career-ending injury after being second favorite a quarter of a century ago.
The nine-year-old has won both races at Cheltenham, including the Brown Consulting Novices’ Chase two years ago when he crossed the line like a horse and can only win on Friday progress of three and a quarter miles.
L’Homme Presse has been off the track for more than a year since falling on the King George circuit in Kempton in December 2022. While his preliminary run at Ascot last month disappointed some observers, he ran too short a course and distance against top opposition. Williams, meanwhile, is delighted with how the Man’s Paper is going and the recent rainfall at Cheltenham could be the final piece of the puzzle.
Cheltenham 1.30: heart of the storm, Willie Mullins had his best try of the game in his second home of 1-2-3 at Leopardstown and may have improved enough to win this time around.
Cheltenham 2.10: In the toughest of all holiday obstacles, the possibilities are endless, but So Scottish, He was sixth in the hurdles 12 months ago and could make the most of his lower hurdles results.
Cheltenham 2.50: Tommy read it wrong, The Grade 1 winner on only his second hurdle race was the best of the lot and could only be raised up to three miles on the steps.
Cheltenham 4.10: There is little choice between the two fern lock And likely favorite Its On The Line on form, so David Christie’s runner looks the better option at around 3-1.
quick guide
Greg Wood’s Friday Tips
exhibit
Fakenham 1.10 Bluegrass 1.45 Ballylinch 2.25 Ballyrashane 3.05 Fever Dream 3.45 Pump It Up 4.25 Tapley 5.05 Rebel Dawn Rising
cheltenham 1.30 Storm Heart 2.10 So Scottish (nb) 2.50 Readin Tommy Wrong 3.30 L’Homme Presse (nap) 4.10 Ferns Lock 4.50 Dinoblue 5.30 Bingo
Foslas 1.55 Pastor Hubert 2.35 Mumbles 3.15 Florango 3.55 Bonza Boy 4.35 Big Fortune 5.10 Desert Fortune
new castle 5.00 Sark 5.40 Native King 6.10 Hiya Maite 6.40 Daytona Lady 7.10 Trulie Good 7.40 Bits And Bobs 8.10 Al Muqdad
Wolverhampton 5.20 Thismydream 6.00 Etretat 6.30 Prince Maxi 7.00 Trois Blancs 7.30 Overlooked 8.00 Stolen Encounters 8.30 Prince Ali
Cheltenham 4.50: dinosaur blue She was just nine lengths away from her senior stablemate El Fabiolo last time out and will be difficult to beat against her own sex.
Cheltenham 5.30: He needs to bounce back from his last effort, but bingo Leading conditional Patrick Wadge is in control of the action and he will be delighted to be back in action and odds are likely to be better than around 40-1.
