Darren Norris: Galopin Des Champs will show class to make Gold Cup history

Surely only bad fortune can deny Galopin Des Champs from becoming the first Irish-trained horse since Arkle to complete a Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick.

ON THE BRINK: Galopin Des Champs pictured in his stable at Willie Mullins' Closutton. Pic: Healy Racing

The Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase this week serve as cautionary tales warning that nothing is certain in the National Hunt world but surely only bad luck can stop Galopin Des Champs from becoming the first Irish-trained horse since the peerless Arkle to complete a Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick.

Two years ago, as a seven-year-old, he powered clear from the last to beat Bravemansgame by seven lengths and while his margin of victory over Gerri Colombe in last year’s Gold Cup was half that of 2023, there was never a moment where the outcome looked in doubt.