Galopin Des Champs has the measure of Fury Road

Cheltenham Festival 2023 entries, final declarations - Day four including Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

By Sporting Life

Horse Racing

Wed March 15, 2023 · 2y ago

We detail all of the final declarations for day four of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, featuring the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Friday March 17

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

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Ante-post favourite Galopin Des Champs heads 13 declarations for Friday’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Willie Mullins’ charge famously came down at the final fence with the race at his mercy in last year’s Turners Novices’ Chase, but he has not looked back since, winning each of his three subsequent starts at Grade One level.

He has been skinny odds for the blue riband for much of the season and he will be joined by stablemate Stattler, who was eight lengths behind him in the Irish Gold Cup last time.

Paul Nicholls’ Bravemansgame arrives unbeaten in two runs this term, following up an impressive Charlie Hall return with a 14-length verdict in the King George VI Chase and he is the next best in the market.

Last year’s victor A Plus Tard has had just one start since his history-making win under Rachael Blackmore, being pulled up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.

He is one of two runners for Henry De Bromhead along with Minella Indo, winner of the race in 2021 but a distant second to his stablemate 12 months ago.

Ahoy Senor represents Lucinda Russell having bounced back from some early-season disappointments by winning the Cotswold Chase at Prestbury Park in January.

The Ruth Jefferson-trained Sounds Russian was second that day and he tries his luck again along with third-placed Noble Yeats, winner of the 2022 Grand National for Emmet Mullins, and Dan Skelton’s Betfair Chase hero Protektorat, who was fourth in the Cotswold.

Conflated represents Gordon Elliott having won the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December while Hewick bids to complete a remarkable rise through the ranks for Shark Hanlon, having landed the bet365 Gold Cup, Galway Plate and American Grand National in the last year.

King George second Royal Pagaille lines up for Venetia Williams with Joe Tizzard’s Eldorado Allen completing the field.

The Real Whacker was the only horse not declared as he contests Wednesday’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase instead.

3.30pm Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) 3m 2f 70y

1 Ahoy Senor (IRE) 8 11 10 Lucinda Russell Wymer & Russell Derek Fox

2 A Plus Tard (FR) ts 9 11 10 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Cheveley Park Stud Rachael Blackmore

3 Bravemansgame (FR) 8 11 10 Paul Nicholls John Dance and Bryan Drew Harry Cobden

4 Conflated (IRE) 9 11 10 Gordon Elliott Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Davy Russell

5 Eldorado Allen (FR) ts, p 9 11 10 Joe Tizzard J P Romans & Terry Warner Brendan Powell

6 Galopin des Champs (FR) 7 11 10 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs Audrey Turley P. Townend

7 Hewick (IRE) p 8 11 10 John Joseph Hanlon Ireland Mr T. J. Mcdonald Jordan Gainford

8 Minella Indo (IRE) 10 11 10 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mr Barry Maloney Mark Walsh

9 Noble Yeats (IRE) p 8 11 10 Emmet Mullins Ireland Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Sean Bowen

10 Protektorat (FR) ts 8 11 10 Dan Skelton Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales Harry Skelton

11 Royale Pagaille (FR) 9 11 10 Venetia Williams Mrs S. Ricci Charlie Deutsch

12 Sounds Russian (IRE) 8 11 10 Ruth Jefferson Claxby & Co Sean Quinlan

13 Stattler (IRE) 8 11 10 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr R. A. Bartlett Mr P. W. Mullins

Cheltenham Festival preview: Gold Cup day

JCB Triumph Hurdle

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Lossiemouth, Blood Destiny and Gala Marceau give Willie Mullins an extremely strong hand among a field of 15 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

As well as having the three market leaders, Mullins also fields Zenta, Je Garde, Cinsa and Gust Of Wind giving him seven chances in the Grade One affair.

Gala Marceau turned over odds-on favourite Lossiemouth at the Dublin Racing Festival when the grey met trouble in running, but the bookmakers have Lossiemouth favoured once more.

The only runners trained in the UK are Ben Pauling’s pair of Active Duty and Jipcot, plus Gary Moore’s Jupiter Du Gite.

1.30pm JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 179y

1 Active Duty (FR) 4 11 2 Ben Pauling Mr T. P. Radford Tom Cannon

2 Almuhit (IRE) 4 11 2 Denis G. Hogan Ireland Mr Justin Carthy Donagh Meyler

3 Ascending (IRE) 4 11 2 Henry de Bromhead Ireland C. Jones Rachael Blackmore

4 Blood Destiny (FR) 4 11 2 W. P. Mullins Ireland Roaringwater Syndicate

5 Gust of Wind (FR) 4 11 2 W. P. Mullins Ireland Hollywood Syndicate & Barnane Stud

6 Hypotenus h,ts 4 11 2 John McConnell Ireland Mr D. Kierans Sean Bowen

7 Jacovec Cavern h 4 11 2 P. Hennessy Ireland The Turner Family Sean Flanagan

8 Jipcot (FR) 4 11 2 Ben Pauling The Megsons Luca Morgan

9 Jupiter du Gite (FR) h 4 11 2 Gary Moore Alan Jamieson Site Services Ltd Jamie Moore

10 Rightsotom (GER) 4 11 2 Thomas Mullins Ireland Mrs Rita Byrne

11 Cinsa (FR) 4 10 9 W. P. Mullins Ireland Sullivan Bloodstock Limited

12 Gala Marceau (FR) h 4 10 9 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr K. Alexander

13 Je Garde (FR) 4 10 9 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs J. Donnelly

14 Lossiemouth (FR) 4 10 9 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci

15 Zenta (FR) 4 10 9 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

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A maximum field of 20 will go to post for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

They include the Mullins-trained Embassy Gardens, Emmet Mullins’ Corbetts Cross, Sandor Clegane for Paul Nolan and Gordon Elliott’s Favori de Champdou and Three Card Brag.

1 Affordale Fury (IRE) 5 11 7 Noel Meade Ireland Mr P. L. Polly Sam Ewing

2 Chianti Classico (IRE) 6 11 7 Kim Bailey Sir Francis Brooke & R A Pilkington David Bass

3 Corbetts Cross (IRE) 6 11 7 Emmet Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh

4 Dawn Rising (IRE) 6 11 7 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Mr John P. McManus Luke Dempsey

5 Embassy Gardens 7 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Sean & Bernardine Mulryan P. Townend

6 Favori de Champdou (FR) 8 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Jordan Gainford

7 Hiddenvalley Lake (IRE) ts 6 11 7 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Robcour Rachael Blackmore

8 Idalko Bihoue (FR) 5 11 7 Nigel Twiston-Davies Anne-Marie & Jamie Shepperd Jordan Nailor

9 Letsbeclearaboutit (IRE) 8 11 7 Gavin Cromwell Ireland Alymer Stud Ltd Keith Donoghue

10 Monty's Star (IRE) 6 11 7 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mr Barry Maloney Sean Flanagan

11 Rock My Way (IRE) 5 11 7 Syd Hosie Nick Case, Syd Hosie, John Romans Nick Scholfield

12 Saint Palais (FR) 6 11 7 Richard Bandey Syders & Burkes Harry Bannister

13 Sandor Clegane (IRE) 6 11 7 Paul Nolan Ireland Mrs K.Browne & Mrs Anne Coffey Sean O'Keeffe

14 Seabank Bistro (IRE) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Jodmart Construction Ltd

15 Search For Glory (IRE) 6 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Davy Russell

16 Shanbally Kid (IRE) 6 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Gigginstown House Stud

17 Stay Away Fay (IRE) ts 6 11 7 Paul Nicholls Mr Chris Giles & Mr Dave Staddon Harry Cobden

18 Thomas Mor (IRE) 6 11 7 David Pipe Wayne Clifford & Ian Gosden Adam Wedge

19 Three Card Brag (IRE) 6 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland McNeill Family/Patrick & Scott Bryceland A. P. Heskin

20 Weveallbeencaught (IRE) 6 11 7 Nigel Twiston-Davies Jimmy & Susie Wenman Edward & Jane James Sam Twiston-Davies

Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase

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All nine have been declared in the Mrs Paddy Power Chase, in which Mullins fields three in Allegorie De Vassy, previous winner Elimay and Dolcita.

Colm Murphy’s Impervious, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Jeremys Flame and Henry de Bromhead’s Magic Daze are others with chances.

1 Allegorie de Vassy (FR) ts 6 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci P. Townend

2 Elimay (FR) bl,ts 9 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh

3 Impervious (IRE) 7 11 5 Colm A. Murphy Ireland Mr John P. McManus Brian Hayes

4 Riviere d'Etel (FR) 6 11 5 Gordon Elliott Ireland Bective Stud Davy Russell

5 Dolcita (FR) 8 11 2 W. P. Mullins Ireland Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Daniel Mullins

6 Jeremys Flame (IRE) h 9 11 2 Gavin Cromwell Ireland Flushfarm Racing Syndicate Keith Donoghue

7 Magic Daze (IRE) ts 7 11 2 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Robcour Rachael Blackmore

8 Pink Legend 9 11 2 Venetia Williams Mr Francis Mahon Charlie Deutsch

9 Zambella (FR) 8 11 2 Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob

McCoy Contractors County Hurdle

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Sharjah, second in the Champion Hurdle in 2020 and 2021, will carry top weight in the McCoy Contractors County Hurdle.

1 Sharjah (FR) ts 10 12 0 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci

2 Pied Piper ts 5 11 13 Gordon Elliott Ireland Caldwell Construction Ltd Davy Russell

3 Winter Fog (IRE) 9 11 11 W. P. Mullins Ireland The Triple Lock Partnership

4 Saint Sam (FR) h 6 11 11 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Edward J. Ware M. J. M. O'Sullivan

5 First Street ts 6 11 11 Nicky Henderson Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Nico de Boinville

6 Ballyadam (IRE) ts 8 11 7 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Cheveley Park Stud Rachael Blackmore

7 Aucunrisque (FR) 7 11 6 Chris Gordon Goodwin Racing Ltd Tom Cannon

8 Hunters Yarn (IRE) 6 11 6 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede

9 Prairie Dancer (IRE) bl 5 11 3 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Sean Sweeney/Kieran O'Hare Brendan Powell

10 Glory And Fortune (IRE) ts 8 11 3 Tom Lacey Mr J. Hinds Stan Sheppard

11 Highway One O Two (IRE) 8 11 2 Chris Gordon Mr Anthony Ward-Thomas Mr Freddie Gordon (7)

12 Anna Bunina (FR) ts 7 11 2 John McConnell Ireland Ms Caroline Ahearn

13 Milkwood (IRE) h 9 11 0 Neil Mulholland Ms Jo Bridel Sam Twiston-Davies

14 Filey Bay (IRE) ts 7 11 0 Emmet Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh

15 Pinkerton (IRE) ts 7 11 0 Noel Meade Ireland Mr P. L. Polly Sean Flanagan

16 Path d'Oroux (FR) 6 11 0 Gavin Cromwell Ireland French Connection Partnership Keith Donoghue

17 Petit Tonnerre (FR) 5 10 13 Jonjo O'Neill Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

18 Highland Charge (IRE) 8 10 12 Noel Meade Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Sam Ewing

19 Ganapathi (FR) ts, p 7 10 9 Patrick Neville Mrs Wilma Duffus Alan Doyle (5)

20 Magnor Glory (IRE) h 7 10 9 Terence O'Brien Ireland Barry F. Walsh/Joseph Sheahan M. J. M. O'Sullivan (3)

21 Pembroke 6 10 9 Dan Skelton Jon and Julia Aisbitt Harry Skelton

22 Gin Coco (FR) 7 10 8 Harry Fry David's Partnership Jonathan Burke

23 Faivoir (FR) 8 10 7 Dan Skelton Mrs Suzanne Lawrence Bridget Andrews

24 Glan (IRE) h 8 10 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr John P. McManus Luke Dempsey

25 Wonderwall (IRE) p 7 10 7 Richard Spencer REBEL JUMPING II Sean Bowen

26 Luttrell Lad (IRE) 7 10 6 Tom Lacey Owners for Owners Luttrell Lad Harry Cobden

Reserves

R27 Teddy Blue (GER) 5 10 3 Gary Moore Hale Sargent Evans Clifton Jamie Moore

R28 Nibiru (IRE) ts 8 10 3 A. J. Martin Ireland Mr John Breslin

"He's overpriced at 16/1" | Cheltenham Festivalpreview: Best of the Irish

St James's Palace Festival Challenge Cup Hunters' Chase

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1 Billaway (IRE) bl,ts 11 12 0 W. P. Mullins Ireland The Turner Family Mr P. W. Mullins

2 Black Op (IRE) ts 12 12 0 Mrs Emma Clark Mr Charles R. Clark Mr John Dawson

3 Bob And Co (FR) ts 12 12 0 Harry Derham Mr David Maxwell Miss Alice Stevens

4 Brain Power (IRE) 12 12 0 W. Ewing Ireland Mr W. Ewing Mr Dara McGill

5 Cat Tiger (FR) ts 9 12 0 Paul Nicholls Mr David Maxwell Mr Charlie Sprake

6 Chris's Dream (IRE) 11 12 0 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Robcour Miss Maxine O'Sullivan

7 Dandy Dan (IRE) 10 12 0 J. Bourne Mr P. J. Andrews Mr James King

8 Dorking Cock (IRE) ts, p 9 12 0 S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland S. R. B. Crawford

9 Famous Clermont (FR) 8 12 0 C. R. Barber Biddiscombe, Rousell, Collins & Rogers Mr William Biddick

10 Go Go Geronimo ts, p 8 12 0 Kelly Morgan Mr John Chatfeild-Roberts Mr Tom Chatfeild-Roberts

11 I K Brunel 9 12 0 Alan Hill Mr M. W. Redman Miss Izzie Marshall

12 Its On The Line (IRE) p 6 12 0 Emmet Mullins Ireland Emmet Mullins Mr Derek O'Connor

13 Le Malin (FR) 9 12 0 Sean McParlan Ireland Mr Sean McParlan Mr N. McParlan

14 Mighty Stowaway (IRE) ts, p 12 12 0 Alan Hill Mr N. Sutton Mr Ben Sutton

15 Moratorium (IRE) p 10 12 0 M. Osborne Mrs L. Osborne Mr Martin McIntyre

16 Myth Buster (IRE) p 10 12 0 Mrs Sara V. Bradstock The Buzz Syndicate Miss Lily Bradstock

17 Not That Fuisse (FR) 10 12 0 Dan Skelton Mr Colm Donlon Mr Jack Andrews

18 Premier Magic (IRE) ts, p 10 12 0 Bradley Gibbs Mr Julian Sherriff Mr Bradley Gibbs

19 Rocky's Howya (IRE) 7 12 0 Declan Queally Ireland Mrs Margaret C. Kiely Mr M. C. O'Donovan

20 Secret Investor ts, p 11 12 0 Paul Nicholls Mr C. J. Hitchings Miss Natalie Parker

21 Shantou Flyer (IRE) bl,ts 13 12 0 S. Loxton Worldwide Hospitality Ltd Miss Olive Nicholls

22 The Storyteller (IRE) p 12 12 0 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mrs Pat Sloan Mr J. J. Codd

23 Vaucelet (FR) 8 12 0 D. M. Christie Ireland Samuel John Hegarty/Miss Jennifer O'Kane Mr Barry O'Neill

24 Wotzizname (IRE) ts 13 12 0 Mrs D. Ward Miss L. B. Gould Miss Megan Bevan/

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

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1 Felix Desjy (FR) p 10 11 12 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr A. Dunlop Corey McGivern

2 Might I (IRE) ts 7 11 12 Harry Fry Brian & Sandy Lambert Lorcan Murtagh

3 Cool Survivor (IRE) 6 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Sam Ewing

4 Molly Ollys Wishes ts 9 11 7 Dan Skelton Mr Dean Pugh Fergus Gillard

5 Imagine (FR) 5 11 6 Gordon Elliott Ireland Caldwell Construction Ltd Ben Harvey

6 Mark of Gold 6 11 6 Gary Moore Stevie Fisher & Friends Caoilin Quinn

7 No Ordinary Joe (IRE) 7 11 6 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Luca Morgan

8 Iroko (FR) ts 5 11 5 Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Mr John P. McManus

9 Spirit of Legend (FR) 6 11 4 Henry de Bromhead Ireland C. Jones M. P. O'Connor

10 Saylavee (IRE) 6 11 4 W. P. Mullins Ireland Ecurie Madame Lynne Maclennan Jack Foley

11 West To The Bridge (IRE) ts, p 10 11 4 (5lb ex) Dan Skelton Mr J. Tierney Tristan Durrell

12 Spanish Harlem (FR) 5 11 2 W. P. Mullins Ireland Dr S. P. Fitzgerald M. J. M. O'Sullivan

13 Au Fleuron (FR) p 6 11 2 Gordon Elliott Ireland Bective Stud Kieren Buckley

14 Irish Hill (GER) 5 11 1 Paul Nicholls Sir Martin Broughton & Friends 8 Angus Cheleda

15 Firm Footings (IRE) 5 11 1 Gordon Elliott Ireland Caldwell Construction Ltd Shane Fitzgerald

16 Wonderwall (IRE) p 7 11 1 Richard Spencer REBEL JUMPING II

17 Impulsive One (USA) ts 5 11 0 Nicky Henderson Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Ben Bromley

18 In From The Cold (IRE) 6 11 0 Gordon Elliott Ireland Pioneer Racing Danny Gilligan

19 Haxo (FR) 6 10 13 W. P. Mullins Ireland Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate

20 Buddy One (IRE) 6 10 12 Paul John Gilligan Ireland E. Lynch/T.C.Quinn/John J. McGrath Jack G. Gilligan

21 Grozni (FR) 7 10 11 Charles Byrnes Ireland Mr Cathal Byrnes Non Runner

22 Hollow Sound (IRE) 8 10 10 Luke Comer Ireland Mr Luke Comer Charlie O'Dwyer

23 Hey Johnny (IRE) 6 10 8 Thomas Mullins Ireland Mr Joseph M. Fitzpatrick

24 Fifty Ball (FR) 8 10 7 Gary Moore Mr Steven Packham Niall Houlihan

Reserves

R25 Innatendue (FR) ts 5 10 6 A. J. Martin Ireland Alymer Stud Ltd

R26 Vultan (IRE) ts 6 10 5 A. J. Martin Ireland Newtown Anner Stud Farm

Cheltenham Festival entries

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