GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (4.00) can join the Gold Cup greats.
The Gold Cup is the Festival highlight, but this year means even more with Galopin Des Champs within reach of the elite club of horses to win three of more Gold Cups.
He’s odds on to do so, and while it’s been a tough week for some of the hot Festival favourites, he is the highest-rated jumper in training and is 9lb clear of his closest rival Banbridge.
The ground has come right for King George winner Banbridge, but he has to prove his stamina against relentless stayer Galopin Des Champs, completed a hat-trick of Irish Gold Cups when two more of his rivals here, Inothewayurthinkin and Monty’s Star, were miles behind him.
Nicky Henderson has won a record seven Triumph Hurdles and French import Lulamba was was impressive on his British debut at Ascot in January.
Hello Neighbour heads the Irish challenge but the Triumph may well be kept at home for the first time since 2019 thanks to EAST INDIA DOCK (1.20).
He’s unbeaten in three races over hurdles for James Owen, including two clear-cut victories in Grade 2 contests at Cheltenham, and that makes him the form pick — 6 lb clear in the ratings with a figure of 146p.
Willie Mullins runs four in his bid to win an eighth County Hurdle, including last year’s winner Absurde.
But it looks significant that Paul Townend has chosen the mare KARGESE (2.00) instead of last year’s hero.
She was one of the top juvenile hurdlers last year, finishing second in the Triumph, and was also runner-up in an Ascot Grade 2 in January on her only start this season.
This will be Kargese’s first handicap and, given that she tends to take a strong hold, the relentless gallop should suit her perfectly.