Has twin winner Galopin Des Champs lastly met his match within the Cheltenham Gold Cup in stablemate Reality To File?
That was one of many large speaking factors for Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan on the second episode of Unbridled.
The Willie Mullins pair dominate the marketplace for the massive race in March subsequent yr, with Reality To File a common 5/2 forward of the defending champ at 7/2.
Final weekend noticed the primary assembly between the 2 in a stacked renewal of the John Durkan at Punchestown, with Reality To File impressing many by seeing off fellow Gold Cup contenders Spillane’s Tower and Fastorslow, with Galopin Des Champs in rivalry till being handed into third late on.
How a lot of a marker that was for March’s prolonged three-and-a-quarter-mile take a look at was questioned by Matt, however Paddy was definitely taken by the winner.
“Fact To File is the one horse who really came to the fore this weekend,” Brennan stated. “I believe he is simply an unbelievable animal, he does issues with such ease.
“All roads lead to the Gold Cup. I was blown away by him.”
Chapman was not so fast to look away from the reigning champ. He stated: “The general gist after the John Durkan was that this was one of the most amazing races we’ve ever seen with Fact To File, Spillane’s Tower, Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow all in the mix.
“It was nice to see all of them coming collectively however I discover it fairly extraordinary that everybody is taking a race over two and a half miles as the important thing trial for a race over an prolonged three miles and two furlongs.
“While I completely understand that this was a fantastic horse race, this was full of horses not running over the trip they are meant to run over. I don’t think it’s given you any clue whatsoever to what happens in a Cheltenham Gold Cup.
“Stamina is vital to Galopin Des Champs, but stamina was the one factor he did not want within the John Durkan. Give him three and 1 / 4 at Cheltenham, he’ll energy away from all the things.
Galopin Des Champs landed in his second successive Cheltenham Gold Cup this yr
“You are dealing with one of the best Gold Cup winners out there and he’s not old, he’s only eight, turning nine next year. Technically, he should be in his prime.”
Brennan replied: “But he didn’t have Fact To File in his way in 2023.
“To have the head of a Gold Cup horse, you will have to have the ability to win over varied journeys.
“Fact To File has won over three miles so we pretty much know he stays. I have no doubt about that.
Reality To File and Mark Walsh after profitable the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham this yr
“In the John Durkan, you are putting everyone on a level playing field.
“We all know Galopin Des Champs is best over additional and he is run nicely however I might not swap Reality To File. He ticks each field.
“When you’ve come up the hill in a Gold Cup twice like Galopin Des Champs, to go and do that a third time you have to be some horse.
“For a brand new pretender like Reality To File, I believe it will be a lot simpler and he is obtained all the things it takes to win a Gold Cup.”
Watch Matt & Paddy Unbridled on the At The Races YouTube channel and podcast platforms.
