Cheltenham Festival: Inothewayurthinkin and Galopin Des Champs take part in Gold Cup shake-up | Racing News
Last year’s hero Inothewayurthinkin, double winner Galopin Des Champs and Harry Redknapp’s The Jukebox Man are among 33 entries in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Of the 33, only nine are trained in the UK, led by The Jukebox Man, the thrilling winner of the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park for Ben Pauling on Boxing Day. The British entries, however, represent an increase from a record low of five 12 months ago, while this year’s 33 contenders represent a jump from just 19 last year.
Also among the strongest local teams for some time are Dan Skelton’s Betfair Chase winner Gray Dawning, the Rebecca Curtis-trained Irish and Welsh national winner, Haiti Colors and Nicky Henderson’s Jango Bay.
Life hasn’t been easy for Inothewayurthinkin since his glory days. In two races this season he finished in the John Durkan at Punchestown and at Leopardstown at Christmas. Gavin Cromwell hopes to see an improvement in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival, if he races there.
He said: “He likes Cheltenham and he got the entry. He was obviously very disappointing at Christmas and hopefully we can get him back on track. He’s come out of the race well and we’ll just give him a chance now to freshen up. He could go to the Irish Gold Cup, but it will all depend on what happens over the next three weeks.
“It wouldn’t be ideal to go to the Gold Cup without another appearance, but we’ll have to deal with whatever happens.
“It would be great to go back there with the defending champion and hopefully we can get him there in good shape.”
Galopin Des Champs made his seasonal return in the Savills Chase and put up a fight, leaving Willie Mullins delighted.
Mullins also entered Champ Kiely, Gaelic Warrior, Grangeclare West, 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus, Impaire Et Passe, Lecky Watson, last year’s Grand National scorer Nick Rockett and the mare Spindleberry.
Mullins’ great rival, Gordon Elliott, has six entries, including Gerri Colombe, placed in the previous race.
Other big challengers for Ireland are Affordale Fury, winner of the Savills Chase, Banbridge, Envoi Allen, Fastorslow and Monty’s Star.
The French Navy is part of the tempting possible Champion Chase
Defending champion Marine Nationale, Il Etait Temps and Christmas Hurdle winner Sir Gino feature in 24 entries for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Owned and coached by Barry Connell, Marine Nationale were decisive winners last season and continued in equally impressive fashion at Punchestown. He was a somewhat unfortunate loser on his return to action at Christmas when a mistake saw him almost fall sideways.
Il Etait Temps will look to break his Cheltenham duck, having finished fifth in the 2022 Triumph Hurdle, fifth in the 2023 Supreme and third in the 2024 Arkle.
He is five unbeaten since that Arkle defeat, beating Jonbon at Sandown at the end of last season and at Tingle Creek last month.
Nicky Henderson’s mainstay is another yet to win at the Festival, finishing second in last year’s Supreme, Arkle and Champion Chase, but it is the entry of stablemate Sir Gino that catches the eye, although Henderson has said he is heading down the Champion Hurdle route.
Willie Mullins’ Energumene and Henry de Bromhead’s Captain Guineas are previous winners attempting to regain the title, while Majborough also has the option for Mullins.
Dan Skelton’s L’Eau Du Sud and Thistle Ask, Joseph O’Brien’s Solness and the newbie Irish Panther are all here.
The Ryanair Chase offers many a second option and the likes of Gray Dawning, Banbridge, Champ Kiely, Gaelic Warrior, Handstands, Jango Bay and The Jukebox Man have all received entry alongside the Gold Cup.
However, last year’s winner, Fact To File, only chose Ryanair as an option.
Skelton’s rapidly improving Panic Attack was put in place, as was Romeo Coolio, the novice winner from Gordon Elliott’s first year.
