Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs will miss the Cheltenham Festival for the first time since 2020. Trainer Willie Mullins ruled him out of a bid to regain his title next week.
The dual Gold Cup winner’s absence is the clear headline-maker for today’s racing news round-up for Saturday.
Galopin Des Champs out for the season
Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs will miss the rest of the jumps season. A setback reported on Friday morning by Willie Mullins will rule him out of Cheltenham and beyond. The ten-year-old was on course to attempt to regain his Gold Cup crown. The brilliant 2023 and 2024 winner finished second last year to Inothewayurthinkin. He had been beaten twice at Leopardstown this season, but was gearing up for a return to his best at Cheltenham. He will also miss Punchestown, with targets for next season unplanned for now. (Irish Independent)
Galopin Des Champs’ absence has sent ripples through the Gold Cup betting market too. Though the two-time champion was not the favourite this year, some bookmakers saw fit to shorten stablemate Gaelic Warrior into favouritism. The eight-year-old is now more likely to be the mount of Paul Townend in the race. He usurped Jango Baie as favourite among those entered, though Fact To File is still the Non Runner No Bet market leader. However, that rival is more likely to run in the Ryanair Chase. (Racing Post)
Cheltenham latest: Mullins in race for fitness & Guinness prices cut
Danny Mullins was stood down after a fall at Thurles on Thursday. The nephew of trainer Willie Mullins is often the second or third choice jockey for the Closutton yard, meaning he picks up a number of top-class rides. However, he now faces a race against time to prove his fitness for the week. he had also been due to ride for both his mother and father at the Cheltenham Festival. Both Margaret and Tony Mullins are sending runners across for the 2026 Festival. (Irish Mirror)
In a landmark victory for attendees, Guinness prices at the Cheltenham Festival have been cut for 2026. Having reached a high of £7.80 at the meeting last year, pints will cost £7.50. This 30p price drop per pint brings the overall cost to its lowest since 2022. It is estimated that around 400,000 pints will be poured across the four days. Racegoers will also be able to drink their tipple in the grandstands. (The Sun)
One of the fairytale stories of Cheltenham week could be on as Adam Nicol expressed his confidence in Minella Study. The Scottish trainer said that “the form’s strong” about his runner’s victory at Cheltenham earlier in the season. Nicol, a former jockey, sent out his first runners in December 2020 and is building an ever-growing operation. However, Minella Study’s run in the Triumph Hurdle next week will be the first time he has taken on the big yards at Grade 1 level. (Guardian)