The feature race of the Cheltenham festival is undoubtedly the Grade 1 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, run over 3m2½f. GALOPIN DES CHAMPS heads the market at a general 13-8, seemingly short in the betting, but on closer inspection, is fully justified of his lofty position.

A seven-year-old son of Timos, Galopin Des Champs has been a revelation over fences, winning five times from six starts, with his sole defeat when falling at the last in the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase at the 2022 Cheltenham festival. Willie Mullins’ inmate showed no ill effects when dominating a small field by 18 lengths in the Grade 1 Novice Chase at Punchestown, to conclude last term.

With two further Grade 1 chase victories this season, including a handsome eight-length success in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival, he proved he stayed three miles with aplomb. Any stamina concerns were clearly put to rest, considering how he powered away from his rivals at the finish. Galopin Des Champs has learnt how to relax in his races, and coupled with his progressive profile, rate him the outstanding candidate for Gold Cup glory.

Last year’s exceptional winner, A Plus Tard, would have strong credentials if delivering his brilliant best but must be treated with some caution after a dismal run in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock in November. Noble Yeats is the 7-1 second choice for punters, currently, after a running-on third behind Ahoy Senor in the Grade 2 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase. He’s an improving sort who is expected to be strongest at the finish, especially if the ground turns soft, and rates a danger to all.

There has been plenty of market support for last season’s National Hunt Chase scorer, Stattler. Yes, he could improve for the return to this track, but he still has eight lengths to find with Galopin Des Champs on their previous run and lacks his superstar potential. The value in his price seems to have disappeared, too.

From an each-way perspective, 2022 third, PROTEKTORAT, may be the forgotten horse. The son of Saint Des Saints produced a career-best effort when winning the Grade 1 Betfair Chase, prior to running flat at Cheltenham in the aforementioned Grade 2 trial for this contest. Dan Skelton reported the gelding was at peak condition to win his seasonal reappearance but wasn’t 100% spot on for his latest race. He suggests that the eight-year-old will be cherry ripe for the Gold Cup, having left something to work on. At around 14-1, Protektorat has plenty of each-way mileage.

If there is one huge price, who could cause a ripple in the Gold Cup, it would be The Real Whacker, trained by Patrick Neville. A real rags to riches story, the Mahler gelding was purchased for €21,000 in 2019. He’s won both chase starts, including an excellent three-and-a-half-length success in the Grade 2 Paddy Power Novice Chase (registered as the Dipper Novices’ Chase) at Cheltenham. His bold front-running style has caught the eye, and despite plenty to find on official figures, he could go well for a long way up front. The Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase is the most likely destination for The Real Whacker, but with the non-runner no bet concession, the 33-1 with Paddy Power appeals. You will receive your money back if he doesn’t line-up in the Gold Cup.