Mullins assistant says Gold Cup fav' is 'every bit as good as last year'

Willie Mullins’ assistant trainer David Casey believes stable star Galopin Des Champs will join the 'all-time greats' of horse racing if he wins his third consecutive Gold Cup at Cheltenham next Friday. 

BoyleSports currently rates the dual winner an odds-on 2/5 shot to make it three-in-a-row in the Festival’s blue riband race and Casey is confident he’ll oblige his short odds. 

Speaking at a Cheltenham Festival preview night hosted by BoyleSports at Limerick Racecourse, Casey said: “He’d have to be up there with the all-time greats if he wins his third Gold Cup. Any horse that wins three Gold Cups has to be. He was very good in his two runs at Leopardstown this season. He ran a cracker first time out in the John Durkan as well.  

“For a horse who gets beat the odd day, he’s still very consistent. That puts him up there because he always runs his race. He was very good under a great ride from Paul Townend the last day, who just felt he probably used him a little too much at Christmas and wanted to give him an easier race at the Dublin Racing Festival. So he didn’t go quick, he went slower, but he was still good enough to win.  

“I think it’s his constitution that makes him great, he turns up every day and it doesn’t seem to phase him. He doesn’t miss any fight. I know he got beaten the last two years at Punchestown, but he turns up in all those top races and runs his race. It probably told on him the last two years at Punchestown, but he still doesn’t give in, he’s got that will to win.  

“I ride him a couple of times a year, a bit of work and schooling. He’s a good ride, jumps well generally and gets on with it, there’s no airs or graces about him. He looks every bit as good as he was last year at the moment, definitely. So with a clear round and everything going right, I hope for everyone involved that he goes and wins again.” 

Weighing up the opposition, Casey added: “I’m not certain Banbridge will stay an extra two furlongs. Obviously he was good to win a King George and he’s won around the track before, but he’d want good ground. But of the horses that finished behind Galopin Des Champs before, it’s hard to see them turning the tables.” 

David Casey was speaking at a BoyleSports Cheltenham Preview Night at Limerick Racecourse in aid of Irish Injured Jockeys.   

To make a donation, visit https://irishinjuredjockeys.enthuse.com/cf/boyle-sports