Expert Analysis

A race that marked 100 years since its first running, and it proved to be worthy of the occasion, a good winner at the end of a race that was a thorough test, run on ground that was “heavy” (though tending towards “soft”) and at a notably strong pace, the runners several lengths ahead of par over the first few, steadying only briefly mid-race, before a stamina-sapping finish, which Galopin des Champs passed with flying colours. His performance was slightly below his win 12 months earlier, and a bit more than that below his thrashing of Gerri Colombe in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas (worth a rating of c179+), but still ahead of an average winner of what has long been the premier race in the chasing calendar. His final 4f of 62.54s (103.3% finishing speed) was about 4.0s slower than 12 months before and nearly 7.0s slower than A Plus Tard managed in 2022, a further reflection of just how testing conditions were.

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (c175 here, 179 previously) has built up a phenomenal record over fences, his only defeats in this sphere readily explained away (including his sole fall, here in 2022 when winning easily), and he now stands high in the pecking order of 21st Century jumpers, this his second successive win in chasing’s blue riband, while his thrashing of Gerri Colombe in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas remains the performance of the season so far. He raced close to the strong pace, a bit wide and travelling/jumping well, was poised to challenge 3 out and rousted into the lead at the next, possibly in part to get ahead of the loose Fastorslow who threatened to interfere with him, putting in a fine jump at the last and staying on well for pressure. He has shown himself to be occasionally vulnerable in a test of speed at 3m or at shorter but has no peers presently when faced by a test like this and the one that unfolded at Leopardstown. At the age of just 8, he should be in his prime for some time yet.

GERRI COLOMBE (c172 here, 164 previously) finally delivered what some had been expecting of him, well suited by the thorough test this ended up being and running to the highest rating on my figures by a Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up since Denman was second to Long Run in 2011. He tracked the pace, mostly in fifth, was off the bridle 4 out but went into third after the next, briefly short of room then awkward at the second-last, staying on well thereafter to ensure the winner had to be kept up to his work. He will surely win more good races, though Galopin des Champs does have his measure at this stage.

CORACH RAMBLER (c165 here, 159 previously) ran the race of his life, one which suggests he has a very feasible chance of a repeat win in the Grand National at Aintree in a few weeks’ time providing he recovers from what was quite a gruelling test. He was held up in last, started to make headway 3 out and stayed on into contention for a place between the last 2, weakening only on the run-in but still surpassing his previous form by a good few lengths.

L’HOMME PRESSE (c163 here and previously) ran well judged on this season’s form, if still a bit below what he was capable of before being sidelined, and he may deserve some extra credit in helping to force a strong pace on testing ground, in second/disputing the lead until going on for sure 4 out, headed at the second-last then weakening.

BRAVEMANSGAME (c160 here, 167 previously) ran respectably but is probably not quite as good as he was (not least than when second in this 12 months before), this thorough test counting against him late on to boot. He raced in mid-field until going more prominent at halfway, in with a chance of a place until weakening between the last 2.

JUNGLE BOOGIE (c159+ here and previously) is seen infrequently but confirmed that he has a whole lot of talent when he is, going better than anything for a long way under a patient ride in this, but just asked when getting 3 out wrong (down on his nose) and unable to do more thereafter, this trip in these conditions probably taxing him. He has now managed 3 runs in as many months, and it is to be hoped that his trainer can continue to get a clear run at things with him for he could yet win a good race at 20f-24f.

FASTORSLOW (c0 here, 170 previously) was travelling well tracking the pace when making a mistake and unseating at the 16th, playing his part in the finish after all in causing some bothers for the principals while riderless.

GENTLEMANSGAME (c0 here, 161 previously) had been off for a further 132 days and was not at his best, in mid-field before weakening 4 out.

MONKFISH (c0 here, 153 previously) was back over fences and did not run much of a race, less than fluent at times and behind by halfway.

THE REAL WHACKER (c0 here, 162 previously) paid for helping to force a strong pace and was not as bad as being pulled up might suggest, headed for sure 4 out and dropping away at the next.

NASSALAM (c0 here, 158 previously) found this all a bit much, making a couple of mistakes and beaten after quite a serious one at the 17th.