Willie Mullins confirms the race Galopin Des Champs will probably run in at Cheltenham 🤩

Galopin Des Champs looks an absolute monster of a chaser and many people’s ante post portfolios rest on him winning at the Cheltenham Festival. But what race? He is the ante post favourite for both the Festival Novices’ Chase (RSA) and the Turners Novice Chase.

Willie Mullins has all but confirmed the plan for Galopin Des Champs. Some will be happy to hear that it is full steam ahead for the Turners Novice Chase where he looks set to take on the mighty Bob Olinger. This could be the clash of the week!

Willie Mullins Quotes

Mullins said on Wednesday: “Galopin did it very well at Leopardstown and I can’t see him going up to three miles. It’s not a decision yet but, at the moment, I’d be favouring going for the shorter race.

“He was so good the first day and he was very brave the last day. I think Paul [Townend] learnt a lot about him the last day. He could go in either race and I do want to have a chat with Paul, but I’d be happy enough to go in the Turners.

“I think he has the ability to do that. He jumps well, he’s sharp and I don’t think he needs to go three miles.”

When asked whether it was a case of picking the race that suits Galopin Des Champs best, rather than taking into account the standard of opposition, Mullins replied: “Yes, definitely.”

He added: “Bob Olinger is obviously a worry but I’d be thinking our man would be better off in the shorter race. I’ll have a chat with Paul and I’ll see what way he is thinking, but that is what I’m thinking at the moment.”

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