2025 Gold Cup

[YoungHustler]

There’s a fair chance that Galopin de Champs could of emptied Gerry Colombe in last years Gold Cup

Just as he appeared to do to Bravemansgame the previous year Imo

That's been my thought too. Both Bravemansgame and Gerri ran their best ever races when both came second to GDC and he's basically broken them to the point they don't want to go to that pain level again! Maybe still too early to say that about Gerri as we have only seen him once this season but that one time was a really awful run. It just goes to show how good GDC is and I still think he is slightly underrated!

[Kevloaf]

If Galopin Des Champs wins this weekend

He's Galopin Des Certainty .... and this thread is all over

[Istabraq]

If Galopin Des Champs wins this weekend

He's Galopin Des Certainty .... and this thread is all over

It's not even a straight case of him winning, he is bullying everything into submission at the back end of his races.
I'm enjoying watching this horse every bit as much as I enjoyed watching the heroes of yesteryear like Desert Orchid, Remittance Man, Istabraq etc, the treble is obviously very much on but we could even be sitting here in a year and he has a real chance at winning 4...

[Quevega]

It's not even a straight case of him winning, he is bullying everything into submission at the back end of his races.
I'm enjoying watching this horse every bit as much as I enjoyed watching the heroes of yesteryear like Desert Orchid, Remittance Man, Istabraq etc, the treble is obviously very much on but we could even be sitting here in a year and he has a real chance at winning 4...

He's the best ever for me - if he wins a third this year.
Just on account of his consistency and other grade ones he's ran and won during the season like the Savills and Irish Gold cup etc.

[Istabraq]

He's the best ever for me - if he wins a third this year.
Just on account of his consistency and other grade ones he's ran and won during the season like the Savills and Irish Gold cup etc.

Always a contentious debate but I'd be inclined to agree, win three and he'd be the best staying chaser I've ever seen.
Dessie always gets my vote for his versatility, winning at all distances giving lumps of weight away but that would be up for debate if Galopin somehow wins four of these things....

[archie]

They all have their weaknesses. Desert Orchid and Kauto Star were more at home at Kempton than Cheltenham and GDC is certainly vulnerable at Punchestown, although the timing of his races there offer some excuse for that.

What I would say, and hoping not to hex him for the weekend, is that at Cheltenham and Leopardstown, GDC would be my number one this century. Always subjective because it's so difficult to compare generations but his beginners chase was as impressive a display of jumping by a staying novice as I recall seeing in 50 odd years of following the game.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Kauto Star would have lapped GDC at Kempton imo
Would have been interesting had they met in a Gold Cup though.

[DenmanSacre]

I couldn't have him above Kauto Star just for the longevity, opponents faced (not sure who is actually the best horse Galopin has beaten but doesn't compare to the calibre of horses Kauto beat and that's no fault of Galopin) and varying distances Kauto Star was absolute top class at.

That 2006-07 season, he was the best 2 miler and best 3 miler. Not any I've seen since who could be the same.

Do I think Galopin would beat him at Cheltenham over 3m2? I'd make GDC favourite but wouldn't surprise me if Kauto won. Any other track and shorter distance and I think Kauto beats him.

[Rooster Booster]

I couldn't have him above Kauto Star just for the longevity, opponents faced (not sure who is actually the best horse Galopin has beaten but doesn't compare to the calibre of horses Kauto beat and that's no fault of Galopin) and varying distances Kauto Star was absolute top class at.

That 2006-07 season, he was the best 2 miler and best 3 miler. Not any I've seen since who could be the same.

Do I think Galopin would beat him at Cheltenham over 3m2? I'd make GDC favourite but wouldn't surprise me if Kauto won. Any other track and shorter distance and I think Kauto beats him.

Spot on saved me a job thanks …anyway can’t afford to get distracted by GOAT debates this time of the year

[Istabraq]

I couldn't have him above Kauto Star just for the longevity, opponents faced (not sure who is actually the best horse Galopin has beaten but doesn't compare to the calibre of horses Kauto beat and that's no fault of Galopin) and varying distances Kauto Star was absolute top class at.

That 2006-07 season, he was the best 2 miler and best 3 miler. Not any I've seen since who could be the same.

Do I think Galopin would beat him at Cheltenham over 3m2? I'd make GDC favourite but wouldn't surprise me if Kauto won. Any other track and shorter distance and I think Kauto beats him.

Go back to the late 80s and Dessie was the best 2 miler, 2.5 miler, 3 miler and 3.5 miler winning what are now G1 races giving 2 stone away....

[Mighty]

No debate - what Dessie did was incredible, and will never be beaten. But in the modern era GDC deserves to be top if he wins a third.

[Magpie]

Loved Dessie. Going to put YouTube on for some of his best moments now you have nudged me.

[Wayward Lad]

Whatever our view of GDC in terms of comparison with Dessie and Kauto, then how lucky are we that we have been around to see all three?…..and that GDC is in the conversation with the other two greats.

I look forward to watching GDC in the GC this year and if he matches Best Mates three GC’s, he has to be one of, if not, the best staying chaser in my lifetime……and I go back to watching LIttle Owl winning !

[EnvoiAlien]

Whatever our view of GDC in terms of comparison with Dessie and Kauto, then how lucky are we that we have been around to see all three?…..and that GDC is in the conversation with the other two greats.

I look forward to watching GDC in the GC this year and if he matches Best Mates three GC’s, he has to be one of, if not, the best staying chaser in my lifetime……and I go back to watching LIttle Owl winning !

Got a great portrait of Little Owl on the wall here, Dessie was and will always be my favorite, but Denman from 2007 to 2008 was a wrecking ball.
A good friend is a huge Best Mate fan, he was there for all 3 of his Gold Cups,he hasn't come the last few festivals as he has cancer and finds it a bit much now, I'm sad he won't be there to see another great horse go for the three-peat, it's something we always used to say at the end of the festival, we've seen another bit of history happen right before our eyes, I believe this year the big historic moment will be GDCs.

[DenmanSacre]

Go back to the late 80s and Dessie was the best 2 miler, 2.5 miler, 3 miler and 3.5 miler winning what are now G1 races giving 2 stone away....

Bit before my time though! Different era as well but Flyingbolt winning a CC, 3rd in a CH I think the same week and winning an Irish National is crazy versatility.