Cheltenham Gold Cup tips: Galopin Des Champs is impossible to oppose but this 8/1 shot may give him a fright on quick ground
*Paddy Power is now Non Runner Money Back for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. That means that if your selection does not line up in the race you back it in for any reason – you will now get your stake back. TC’s apply.
*Paddy also has the more traditional ante-post market where you will lose your stake if your selection doesn’t run in the race for whatever reason.
Paddy Power Media’s ‘From The Horse’s Mouth’ podcast ‘Cheltenham Countdown’ is back as host Tom Nugent picks the brains of the Festival’s winning-most jockey turned TV pundit Ruby Walsh and well-known journalist and broadcaster Rory Delargy for their Cheltenham betting tips.
In the fourth episode of this year’s series, the gang have looked at the Gold Cup ahead of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
RORY DELARGY
I’ve got the impression from Willie Mullins during his interview over Christmas that Fact To File will head for the Ryanair at Cheltenham.
He didn’t get close to Galopin Des Champs at the Dublin Racing Festival and he lost ground at the last fence to finish third.
I don’t want to see him in the Ryanair, I want him in the Gold Cup but I can’t see it happening after how the last race panned out.
One potential pro of going to the Gold Cup is the lack of depth in the race behind Galopin Des Champs. Willie will leave him in there until the last moment but he’ll likely end up in the Ryanair.
The one thing that can beat Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup is genuinely good ground.
If we end up getting a fast-ish Gold Cup, that will suit Banbridge perfectly. The stamina you need for the Gold Cup is massively different on good ground than it is on soft ground.
If it’s spring or summer weather at Cheltenham in March, then Banbridge is worth a go. If it’s soft ground, it’s not worth it.
It’s impossible to oppose Galopin Des Champs but Banbridge, if the ground is right for him, could be the potential fly in the ointment.
*Paddy Power is now Non Runner Money Back for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. That means that if your selection does not line up in the race you back it in for any reason – you will now get your stake back. TC’s apply.
*Paddy also has the more traditional ante-post market where you will lose your stake if your selection doesn’t run in the race for whatever reason.
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