Galopin to glory once again

Galopin Des Champs gets a confident vote to repeat last season's Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup success on the final day of this year's Festival on Friday.

Willie Mullins' superstar has suffered mixed fortunes at Prestbury Park, also coming out on top in the 2021 Martin Pipe before falling at the final fence when well clear in the Turners Novices' Chase 12 months later.

However, he is clearly comfortable with the track's undulations and stiff finish, as he showed when bagging a fifth straight blue riband for Ireland.

Jumping the last alongside Bravemansgame, Galopin Des Champs showed great courage to put in a fine leap at that obstacle, before hitting the ground running and then pulling away up the hill.

He ended that campaign with a defeat against Fastorslow at Punchestown and was behind that rival again there on his first start this term.

The eight-year-old has since produced a couple of imperious displays at Leopardstown, though, romping home by 23 lengths in the Savills Chase and then putting Fastorslow in his place in the Irish Gold Cup.

Conditions at Cheltenham should not pose any problems and Galopin Des Champs has such a high cruising speed that Paul Townend will be able to place him wherever he wants to - and pick out the best ground.

Majborough can kick off another memorable day for Mullins by claiming victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle, a race the Closutton maestro has taken for the last two years with Vauban and Lossiemouth.

This French import was only third behind stablemates Kargese and Storm Heart in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown but created a big impression in any case.

The JP McManus-owned gelding looks to have plenty of scope for improvement and is already a proven performer on testing ground at Auteuil in his native country.

Gordon Elliott's King Of Kingsfield has been running with credit in behind the likes of Slade Steel and Ballyburn in top-level novice events on the Emerald Isle and can capitalise on a drop in class in the BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle.

Harry Fry is taking a chance on Gidleigh Park's stamina holding out in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle over 4800m, but he certainly has the ability to put in a bold bid for success if that decision proves a wise one.

Its On The Line stayed on well to finish second to Premier Magic in last season's St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase and will be a force to be reckoned with now another year older and stronger.

Mullins won the first two renewals of the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase and can regain that trophy via Dinoblue after having to settle for second best 12 months ago.

Dinoblue was a comfortable Grade One scorer at Leopardstown over Christmas and lost nothing in defeat when chasing home El Fabiolo there during the Dublin Racing Festival.

Henry de Bromhead appears to have laid out Waterford Whispers for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle since he followed up wins at Galway and Fairyhouse with a solid second at Leopardstown.

Hailing from the same family as dual Whitbread Gold Cup hero Topsham Bay, the six-year-old should appreciate this stiffer track and can close this year's Festival by carrying the famous green and gold colours of McManus to victory. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

CHELTENHAM: Race 1: 15.30 Majborough, Race 2: 16.10 King Of Kingsfield, Race 3: 16.50 Gidleigh Park, Race 4: 17.30 GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (NAP), Race 5: 18.10 Its On The Line, Race 6: 18.50 Dinoblue, Race 7: 19.30 Waterford Whispers.

FAKENHAM: Race 1: 15.10 Bluegrass, Race 2: 15.45 Elleon, Race 3: 16.25 Conceroe, Race 4: 17.05 Awesome Foursome, Race 5: 17.45 Weigh Anchor, Race 6: 20.25 Matchless, Race 7: 19.05 Firak.

FFOS LAS: Race 1: 1.55 Reverend Hubert, Race 2: 16.35 Molto Bene, Race 3: 17.15 Followango, Race 4: 17.55 Classic Maestro, Race 5: 18.35 Major Fortune, Race 6: 19.10 Desert Fortune.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 19.00 Isle Of Sark, Race 2: 19.40 Native King, Race 3: 20.10 Hiya Maite, Race 4: 20.40 Daytona Lady, Race 5: 21.10 Noble Captain, Race 6: 21.40 Bits And Bobs, Race 7: 22.10 Rocket Rod.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 19.20 Rhubarb, Race 2: 20.00 Lanfranco, Race 3: 20.30 Prince Maxi, Race 4: 21.00 Bitcoin Profit, Race 5: 21.30 Cocktail Dress, Race 6: 22.00 Stolen Encounter, Race 7: 22.30 Crafter.

ALL TO COME: Galopin Des Champs and Dinoblue (Cheltenham, Races 4 and 6).