Will Galopin Des Champs Land Another Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2025?

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the marquee events on the National Hunt jumps racing calendar in the UK. Taking place at Gloucestershire’s Prestbury Park, the four-day extravaganza is watched by sports fans worldwide and there are several iconic thoroughbreds set to take to the turf once again in March 2025. 

1xBet’s Odds of 1.7 are predicting a 59% chance that Galopin Des Champs finishes in the top three of the Cheltenham Gold Cup ::: Discover the current Odds now HERE

What is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

The Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place on the final day (Friday) of the Cheltenham Festival and is run on the New Course. It is a steeplechase which is competed over a distance of three miles, two furlongs and 70 yards. Each competitor will be tasked with jumping 22 obstacles en route to a stiff finish. It is considered to be the standout race at the Cheltenham Festival and regularly attracts a high-quality field.

Horses aged five and above are eligible to take part in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. With a valuable prize purse of £625,000, it is the most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain.

Previous Winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Golder Miller is the most successful horse in this race and was successful on five occasions – 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1936. Red Splash, ridden by Dick Rees, was the first-ever winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup back in 1924.

Other notable winners of the contest include Desert Orchid and Kauto Star. The latter became the first horse to regain the title in the modern era with his performance, having been seen off by stablemate Denman in 2008.

Best Mate is another hugely successful thoroughbred who enjoyed plenty of success in this notable contest. He was victorious in 2002, 2003 and 2004 for trainer Henrietta Knight.

Trainer Nickey Henderson has produced a fair few winners of this contest including Long Run and Bob’s Worth. Most of the recent winners have hailed from Ireland including Willie Mullins’ Al Boum Photo and Henry de Bromhead’s Minella Indo.

Who is Galopin des Champs?

Galopin des Champs is a French-bred chaser who is trained by Willie Mullins. The eight-year old has won nine of his 13 starts over larger obstacles and is a two-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

In 2013, he saw off Bravemansgame by seven lengths and although he struggled to replicate that form at Punchestown, he managed to retain his title in 2024 as he held off Gerri Colombe by just shy of four lengths.

Galopin des Champs reappeared at the Punchestown Festival, although he was beaten by Fastorslow in the Punchestown Gold Cup at the beginning of May.

Willie Mullins’ charge has won three of his four starts at Prestbury Park with his only loss coming in the 2022 Turner’s Novices’ Chase when he fell whilst twelve lengths in front.

Who are Galopin des Champs’ Rivals in 2025?

Stablemate Fact to File appears to be his biggest rival according to the betting. The seven-year old has made just four starts in chases, winning three of them. He was victorious at the Cheltenham Festival in 2024, triumphing in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase by over three lengths.

His rival Fastorslow is likely to be amongst the contenders once again this season and will be keen to exact revenge having been unseated his rider in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year.

Last year’s runner-up Gerri Colombe is back, although he will have to improve on a laboured display at Down Royal in November. Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayourthinkin was successful in the Kim Muir in 2024 and followed it up with a victory at Aintree. His performance in the John Durkan at the end of November is likely to influence his odds for the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

If you believe that Fastorslow will finish in the top three of the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup, you could win €250 by betting €100 at 1xBet if it happens.