CHELTENHAM 15:30

Non Runners: HEWICK (IRE). Fences: 22.

Time: 7m 5.4s Closing Sectional: (3.84f): 62.8s (98.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 101.1%

The centennial running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, initially in the shadow of the National Hunt Chase at this meeting, as well as the Grand National, but firmly established in the modern era as the blue riband of steeplechasing, a superb test of stamina and jumping, the former to the fore in this running, the time taken over 7 minutes for just the third time this century - the runnings won by Bobs Worth and Native River, both thorough stayers, the others; the field was dominated by last season's winner Galopin des Champs, who had won both of the 3m Grade 1s run at Leopardstown this winter, the next 2 in the market horses he'd beaten in those, the home defence headed by last season's runner-up, a Grand National winner and the 2022 Broadway victor, the King George winner Hewick, due to the ground, and Shishkin, due to stable form, both notable absentees; the race was soundly run, plenty of competition for the lead over the first 2 fences, before the shape of the race became clear, the 6 finishers all still in contention 3 out, though the winner was going ominously well and stamped his authority on the race in the straight, not needing to run quite to the level he did last season but confirming himself one of the better Gold Cup winners in recent times.

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (FR) who'd looked a superior Gold Cup winner in landing this race last season, had been beaten twice since, but he'd won both of the 3m Grade 1s run at Leopardstown this winter and stood out on form, even in a good field, the defence of his crown always going smoothly, finding plenty too under much more testing conditions than in 2023; tracked pace, jumped soundly, travelled well, shaken up entering straight, led 2 out, in command soon after, ridden run-in, kept on well; there are some good novices among the current crop, but he'll be very much the one to beat in this next season, if all goes well, holding a great chance to be the first 3-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup since Best Mate.

GERRI COLOMBE (FR) proved much more competitive against the winner than he had at Christmas, given a break since, and ran the race of his life, looking well suited by the extra emphasis on stamina, minor jumping errors in the latter stages not helping his cause, though he was beaten fair and square; never far away, not fluent 4 out, ridden after, every chance when mistake 2 out, not quicken, kept on well run-in, no impression on winner; he won at Aintree after finishing second at Cheltenham last season and could well follow that route again, with the Bowl the obvious option.

CORACH RAMBLER (IRE) had plenty to find in this company and ran a cracker after 4 months off, looking as if he might do even better at the last (within 2 lengths of the runner-up) until his effort told late on, this still a superb Grand National trial, very much the one to beat as he bids for a second victory at Aintree even if his current odds make him less appealing from a betting point of view; dropped out, pushed along early final circuit, ridden before 3 out, still plenty to do entering straight, good progress 2 out, went third last, tied up final 100 yds.

L'HOMME PRESSE (FR) looked in fine shape and acquitted himself well, better than the result, paying late on for his exertions against superior rivals; pressed leader, not fluent fifth, fourteenth, led briefly fifteenth, went on 4 out, shaken up straight, headed 2 out, weakened last; he disappointed as a novice at Aintree after winning the Broadway, though the ground was against him, that the key to his chance if he turns up in the Bowl.

BRAVEMANSGAME (FR) as in 2022/23, had been off since the King George but he was unable to repeat his second placing to Galopin des Champs of last season, his form this winter generally a notch below where he was last; in touch, went prominent circuit out, shaken up 4 out, dropped away straight; he ran a fine race at Punchestown after this race last season, that the likeliest option for another appearance this spring.

JUNGLE BOOGIE (IRE) over 3f longer trip, looked to have plenty to find on just his fourth start over fences and seemed to excel himself upped in grade, plenty to like about the way he went through the race, a shame that he has stood so little racing; held up, still going well when mistake 3 out, ridden after, weakened approaching last.

FASTORSLOW (FR) had twice got the better of Galopin des Champs since his defeat by Corach Rambler in the Ultima last season and had run well against him last time (breathing operation since), unfortunate that he didn't get the chance to show what he could do on this stage; tracked pace, yet to be asked for effort when unseated rider sixteenth.

GENTLEMANSGAME off 4 months since winning the Charlie Hall, wasn't in the same form, faced with his stiffest test to date; handy, not fluent eleventh, lost place circuit out, left behind 4 out, pulled up straight.

MONKFISH (IRE) has 2 Cheltenham Festival wins to his name and had looked a contender for this race in his prime, but he's had very little racing in the last 3 years and couldn't build on his successful return over hurdles, faced with this much sterner task; held up, not fluent seventh, pushed along early final circuit, not fluent eighteenth, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out, bled.

NASSALAM (FR) looked outclassed in this field beforehand and found the company beyond him; raced off the pace, mistake second, pushed along early final circuit, hit seventeenth, tailed off after, pulled up; he's been clobbered by the handicapper for his Welsh National win (has to give 2 lb to Corach Rambler in the Grand National), though his performance in the Grand Sefton suggests he should handle the track.

THE REAL WHACKER (IRE) in first-time visor, went well for a long way but the task under much more testing conditions proved too much for him; led, jumped well in main, went with zest, mistake eighth, headed briefly fifteenth, headed 4 out, ridden after, weakened 3 out, pulled up straight; he wouldn't have been an easy horse to campaign this season, though he's been rather overfaced, the Scottish National perhaps a more realistic option for later in the spring.