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Galopin Des Champs never jumping well enough, says Mullins
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 14 Mar 2025
Willie Mullins felt Galopin Des Champs was never jumping well enough to enable him to win a third Boodles Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
On a day when the champion trainer won the first four races on the card, the one who looked head and shoulders above the rest failed in his bid to join a very select club of triple Gold Cup heroes.
Paul Townend was never where he wanted to be in the race until he got to the heels of the leaders coming down the hill, but turning into the straight he looked like he might indeed record a historic success.
However, tracking him all the way was Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayurthinkin, supplemented for the race last week and who powered away from the 8-13 favourite to win by six lengths.
“I just thought he was never happy until he got to the fourth-last,” said Mullins, who ended the week equalling his own record of 10 winners.
“During the race he was too far out of his ground and he wasn’t jumping well enough to be in the race, so he was uncomfortable.
“I just felt he wasn’t jumping, maybe the drying ground mightn’t have been a help.
“I didn’t think when Ahoy Senor fell it affected him too much, I felt he missed it all and I was hoping it might wake him up because I thought he was laboured.
“He was jumping too big, he just wasn’t jumping well enough so I was hoping something would get beside him to wake him up, but he wasn’t racing.
“The only time he looked competitive was at the fourth-last at the top of the hill and then it looked all right, but he’d used up too much of his powder jumping too big – but a good horse won.”
Townend, who also came up short in Al Boum Photo’s attempt to win three Gold Cups, concurred that he was never really happy throughout.
“He tried his heart out and he’s home in one piece. He’ll go again,” Townend said.
“He was just not happy, everything was a bit of an effort. He still gave it a crack and gave them something to shout about for a long way.
“A couple of jumps back up to the top of the hill, I was hoping rather than feeling confident that he was going to come alive for me there to be honest. He’s run a blinder.”
Owner Audrey Turley was proud of her runner: “He ran a fantastic race and we could not be more proud of Galopin Des Champs.
“He’s a superstar in our world and always will be and I think in the racing world he will be seen as a star as well. He’s won two Cheltenham Gold Cups and now come second when trying to make history – he’s run a fantastic race and we’re thrilled.
“He really gives his all and tries so hard, you couldn’t ask anymore of him, I’m just so proud of him and love him to bits. I’m already dying to go down to Closutton when we get back and give him a good cuddle and a snuggle.
“I still think he will be talked about amongst the likes of Best Mate and other great Gold Cup winners and we love him, people love him and I think maybe he could come back and do it again. We’ll enjoy him and it would be brilliant if he could come back here next year and see what happens.”
Mouse Morris - Gentlemansgame
Mouse Morris was delighted to see Gentlemansgame outrun his 40-1 odds to finish third in the Boodles Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
The veteran handler has always held the grey in the highest regard but he has proved difficult to train due to a multitude of issues.
In the white heat of a Gold Cup, Darragh O’Keeffe was prominent throughout on the nine-year-old, who led into the straight before holding off challengers for third place behind Inothewayurthinkin and the vanquished favourite Galopin Des Champs.
Morris said: “I’m very happy, he ran his heart out and jumped super.
“He just lacks a gear but he’ll stay all day, he’s as honest as the day comes.
“I thought he was well coming, it’s the first year I’ve been happy as he’s not the easiest horse to keep sound, but thanks to all the vets we got him here with a clean run.
“I don’t think I ever thought he was going to win as he just lacks that gear, and the winner is a good horse, he ran very well at Leopardstown.
“He’s run his heart out and run above his mark, he’s so genuine. Today is as good as he is and hopefully we’ll get to Punchestown.”
Henry de Bromhead - Monty's Star
Henry de Bromhead felt Monty’s Star, just over a length away in fourth, may have nicked third but for a shuddering mistake.
“I think that cost him a place maybe,” said De Bromhead.
“That and having to avoid the one that fell (Ahoy Senor) but he’s run well.
“I think the better ground is good for him, I thought it would help him today, maybe it didn’t, who knows.
“The winner has won well, he was very impressive. We’ll see how he is, then think about Punchestown.”
Joseph O'Brien - Banbridge
Going into the race the biggest perceived threat to Galopin Des Champs was Joseph O’Brien’s King George winner Banbridge, but he never looked likely to take part in the finish, fading to come home last of the seven finishers.
O’Brien said: “He jumped and travelled well for a long way and I hope he pulls up well. I’m not sure if it was stamina (that let him down) but it’s a horse race and there was a great winner and Galopin ran fantastic for second and we will just have to regroup and go from there.”
Along with Gentlemansgame, the pace was forced by Patrick Neville’s The Real Whacker, who gave his connections a run for their money before finishing fifth.
Part-owner Davy Mann said: “He ran a cracker of a race and has done so well, but he just didn’t have the speed when he needed it but he’s finished fifth in the Gold Cup, what a run and it’s a great day.
“He’s never let us down and for such a small stable like Patrick’s and two guys who grew up together, to have a horse that is fifth in the Gold Cup is great.
“He was right with them until he didn’t have the speed, but he’s galloped right to the line and I’m so proud and happy with him.”
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