3 minute read

Twenty horses have been entered for the feature race of the jumps season, the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Festival in March.

Last year's winner Galopin Des Champs is back on course to defend his crown after an emphatic victory in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and could be joined by injury prone stablemate Monkfish, who won the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase in 2021. It could be an exciting rematch between Galopin Des Champs and the upcoming Fastorslow, trained by Martin Brassil, who has beaten the Gold Cup hero on their last two meetings. 

The home defence is headed by Gold Cup runner-up Bravemansgame, who will go straight to Cheltenham after a defeat behind Hewick in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park. Shishkin, trained by Nicky Henderson, unseated jockey Nico De Boinville in the Boxing Day cracker and will be aiming to redeem himself after a promising effort over an extended trip. 

Other interesting entries including Gary Moore's wide margin Welsh National winner Nassalam and exciting novice chaser Stay Away Fay from the Nicholls yard. 

Elsewhere at the Festival, nineteen have been entered for the two mile Queen Mother Champion Chase on the Tuesday of the four-day meeting. 

The race could host the highly anticipated clash between the Willie Mullins-trained El Fabiolo and Nicky Henderson's Jonbon, the best two mile chasers on either side of the Irish Sea.

El Fabiolo is one of six potential contenders from the Mullins yard, including Appreciate It and Ferny Hollow whilst Edwardstone will be aiming to reverse form with his old adversary Jonbon.

Thirty-two have been entered for the Ryanair Chase, on Thursday of the Festival, including Allaho who will be chasing a hat-trick in the contest.