RACING needs champions . . . and today another all-time great can be anointed.
All eyes will be on GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (4.00) in the Gold Cup as he goes for a third win in a row in the big one.
The pressure is on, no doubt about that.
Willie Mullins and Paul Townend have been amongst the winners all week but I know they would swap all of them to ensure Galopin Des Champs gets home and hosed.
I think he will do it. He’s so uncomplicated and is such a classy performer.
He’s been brilliant at Leopardstown this season and his form is pretty much identical to last season.
There’s no reason to suggest he can’t do it — he’s the class act of the race.
He has been beating up Fact To File most of the season and look what he did yesterday.
With the ground the way it is, I think Banbridge can run a big race, but I see him chasing Galopin Des Champs home, I don’t see him troubling him.
The Triumph Hurdle looks a really strong race.
East India Dock is a worthy favourite, Hello Neighbour comes here with good form as well, but LULAMBA (1.20) made a big impression when winning in Ascot.
That was a strong race and it was a really good performance on just his second start over hurdles.
I was lucky enough to ride four Triumph winners for Nicky Henderson over the years, and he certainly knows the type of horse required to win this race.
He’s a fine, big horse, with a lot of scope and the vibes from Seven Barrows are very strong.
KARGESE (2.00) is the one I’d want to be on in the William Hill County Hurdle.
Some of her form last season was brilliant, and her return at Ascot in January was a good one, when just looking to need the run.
Willie generally doesn’t over-race horses in their five-year-old season, so she comes here after only one run, but at the same time the handicapper hasn’t had much chance to see her.
She still has a lot of potential for improvement and she’s a very strong favourite.
DINOBLUE (2.40) beat Allegorie De Vassy last time in Naas, when giving her six pounds, and gives her a pound less in the Mares’ Chase.
She was probably unlucky to get beaten in this race last year, and if she puts her best foot forward, she’ll be hard to beat.
There are plenty with chances in the Albert Bartlett but THE BIG WESTERNER (3.20) is the one for me.
It was a really good staying performance from her last time out in Limerick, and this race is all about stamina.
She has the seven pounds allowance, which is a big help, and to me she looks the right type for this.
ANGELS DAWN (4.40) won the Kim Muir two years ago, and then fell at the second last when challenging in the same race last year.
With such good course form to her name, as well as recent point-to-point form, she looks to hold a good chance in the Hunters’ Chase.
In the Festival finale, the Martin Pipe, Kopeck De Mee has been all the rage and by the sound of it he’s already home and hosed. It’s a lot to take on trust, though.
There probably isn’t much value in his price now though and Nicky’s runner EAST INDIA EXPRESS (5.20) is one I like as an each-way play in what is a wide-open race.
Nicky has given him a chance in the build-up.
