As the countdown to the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup intensifies, the spotlight naturally falls upon the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs.
The defending champion and formidable favourite with those looking for a bet on Cheltenham Gold Cup 2024 is poised for more glory on racing’s grandest stage.
Yet, amidst the glare of the spotlight, the underdogs are quietly waiting in the wings — ready to defy the odds and steal the show.
In this article, we shine a light on the outsiders whose potential for greatness should not be underestimated despite the glowing allure of Galopin Des Champs.
Without further ado, let’s look at some of the equine talents with a point to prove and hope to rewrite Cheltenham Gold Cup history.
Monkfish – 20/1
It might have come as something of a surprise, but Mullins has kept the Rich Ricci-owned 10-year-old in the Gold Cup and seriously considered sending him to the Gold Cup instead of the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Monkfish, who returned following 273 days on the sidelines with a nice win in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January has a respectable record of four wins in five attempts over fences.
However, he hasn’t attempted to go over the larger obstacles since 2021 when he had a solid novice chasing season that saw him win three consecutive Grade 1s — including the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham.
That hasn’t put Mullins off though, as he claimed: “At the moment, I’d say I am going to prepare him for the Gold Cup. We’ll have a word with Rich and see what his preference is but Monkfish is in great order and hopefully, we will have two runners in the Gold Cup this year.”
Lucrative Cheltenham horse racing odds of 20/1 make Monkfish a tempting option for an each-way bet.
L’Homme Presse – 8/1
Another horse that had fantastic potential but suffered a devastating injury that left him out of action for some time, L’Homme Presse’s Gold Cup ambitions appear to be back on.
The Venetia Williams-trained horse also had a fantastic novice chasing campaign in 2022, which included a Grade 2 win in the Dipper Novices’ Chase and dual Grade 1 victories in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase and the Brown Advisory.
He started last season well with a Premier Handicap win at Newcastle before unseating Charlie Deutch in the King George VI Chase.
A lengthy injury spell followed, but L’Homme Presse returned after 391 days off with a win over a formidable opponent in the form of Protektorat at Lingfield in January.
The Grade 1 Ascot Chase could be a good indication of L’Homme Presse’s Gold Cup chances.
Hewick – 14/1
Hewick has already caused a shock upset this season, winning the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day from 12/1, and his trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon appears confident ahead of the Gold Cup.
“He ran well in it (the Gold Cup) last year and there is no reason he won’t run well in it again this year,” Shark said.
“We might just change our tactics as last year we made a lot of use of him and there is no need to as with Hewick, you can make the running, sit in second, or sit in last.
“He always hits a flat spot and he did last year when he got crowded on the inside and horses came around him. Hopefully this year, with a clearer round of jumping, he won’t be far away.”
The £800 purchase was still in contention when he suffered a heavy fall atthe second last in the 2023 Gold Cup, and if he can run as well with different tactics, who knows where he could end up.
