17:25 Wednesday

Nine runners have been declared for Wednesday’s Punchestown Gold Cup, with the betting market headed by dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs.

Stu Williams previews each of the runners and picks his winner.

Punchestown Gold Cup Runners Guide

Galopin Des Champs

Galopin Des Champs was perhaps still feeling the effects of his Cheltenham Gold Cup exertions when failing to justify odds-on favouritism in this contest last year and that would obviously be a concern once again.

The French-bred eight-year-old will be aiming for a fourth consecutive Grade 1 victory after landing the Savills Chase at Christmas and the Irish Gold Cup in February prior to defending his crown at Cheltenham. However, it is worth noting that his last two defeats came over this course and distance.

That said, Willie Mullins’ superstar is undoubtedly the best staying chaser in training at present and he will be very hard to beat if anywhere near the peak of his powers.

Fastorslow

Fastorslow caused an upset when downing Galopin Des Champs 12 months ago and he again raised eyebrows when coming out best in the John Durkan Chase in November.

Martin Brassil’s progressive stayer split Galopin Des Champs and impressive Aintree Grand National scorer I Am Maximus in the Irish Gold Cup in February and he was still in contention when unseating his jockey in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Fastorslow was spared a hard race on that occasion and that could well bear fruit here, especially returning to a track on which he goes particularly well (form-figures of 22511 over hurdles and fences). 

Corach Rambler

2023 Grand National hero Corach Rambler failed to make it past the first fence in this year’s renewal. However, that does mean that he too was spared a hard race and he could easily go well as a result.

Lucinda Russell’s stable star ran a career best race when placing third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the fact that connections have decided to travel to Ireland clearly suggests that they feel he can be competitive once again.

That said, Corach Rambler has 13 lengths to find with Galopin Des Champs on their Cheltenham form and he may be playing for place honours once again. 

Hewick

Chapters continue to be added to the incredible story of Hewick, who further rewarded his shrewd connections when landing the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Needless to say that was a career best effort and the horse who cost a mere €800 has now amassed over £600,000 in total prize money.

The evergreen nine-year-old was last seen placing sixth in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree after bypassing the Cheltenham Gold Cup due to soft ground.

Another big run cannot be ruled out.

Conflated

Conflated ran respectably when chasing home Jonbon in the Melling Chase at Aintree and he was far from disgraced when placing third on his penultimate outing in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

That said, the Gigginstown House Stud owned ten-year-old hasn’t tasted victory since December 2022 and he has never won over fences on a right-handed track.

Gordon Elliott’s charge would need to bounce back to his very best in order to feature prominently, which seems less than likely on the balance of his recent form.

Journey With Me

Journey With Me has never quite lived up to the billing he received early in his career and he is yet to land a Grade 1 prize, which gives an indication as to his prospects in this race.

The Henry de Bromhead trained eight-year-old arrives on the back of an impressive 9 lengths triumph over former Cheltenham Festival scorer Appreciate It, which is certainly respectable form, albeit short of what will be required in this contest.

While his place in this field is warranted on official ratings, it’s hard to envisage Journey With Me playing a major role.  

Capodanno

Capodanno was last seen finishing 16th in the Aintree Grand National and he will now compete at his third spring festival inside eight weeks. 

The JP McManus owned gelding demonstrated his class when landing the Cotswolds Chase at Cheltenham in January and he also ran respectably when placing fourth in the Ryanair Chase.

However, his busy spring campaign could easily catch up with him on this occasion, especially after covering four-miles-and-two-furlongs at Aintree, and it would be a tall order in this company regardless.

Appreciate It

Appreciate It was soundly held by Journey With Me at Fairyhouse last month and his losing stretch stretches back to January 2023.

The former Cheltenham Festival scorer finished 41 lengths adrift of Galopin Des Champs in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and he is yet to win a race over 3 miles under rules.

There is little reason for optimism given his level of form this year.

Gentlemansgame

Gentlemansgame suggested that he may be able to take his form to a new level when defeating Bravemansgame in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in November. 

However, he has failed to build upon that performance in two subsequent outings.

The Mouse Morris trained eight-year-old was pulled-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March and was beaten a shade over 10 lengths in the William Hill Bowl at Aintree.

It’s hard to envisage the grey matching strides with those towards the head of the betting.

Punchestown Gold Cup Tips & Predictions

British raider Corach Rambler could easily run well following his unfortunate early departure at Aintree. While King George hero Hewick is always worthy of consideration given his impressive CV.

However both may struggle to match strides with those ahead of them in the betting.

Last year’s victor Fastorslow should not be underestimated given his impressive form at Punchestown, which includes two victories over GALOPIN DES CHAMPS. However, it’s the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero who gets the vote.

Willie Mullins’ superstar is a cut above these rivals at the peak of his powers and the newly crowned British champion trainer clearly has his string firing on all cylinders right now.

The Timos gelding firmly turned the tables on Fastorslow in the Irish Gold Cup in February and the form of his latest Cheltenham success was boosted when runner-up Gerri Colombe landed the William Hill Bowl at Aintree.

He should prove tough to beat.