THE most eagerly anticipated Boodles Gold Cup run in years saw a stellar field assemble at Prestbury Park as Galopin Des Champs, making his bid for chasing stardom, faced stern opposition from Bravemansgame, Conflated and Protektorat, all of whom boasted Grade 1 success earlier in the season.

The contest proved to be a true test at championship level, run at a searching gallop from the outset which, when combined with a stunning final circuit, produced the strongest time figure I have recorded for the Blue Riband of chasing since Native River in 2018.

Ahoy Senor established the scorching early pace which is best illustrated through a comparison with the Mrs Paddy Power Chase field as they embarked on their final circuit.

The initial injection of speed saw Lucinda Russell’s gelding cover the ground from the first fence in the Gold Cup to the water jump 4.7secs quicker than Pink Legend, who led her field in the corresponding event.

As the mares were undoubtedly gathering speed heading towards the conclusion of their contest, it was no surprise to see the gap diminish, however, as their leader left the ground at their fourth last fence, she did so still 3.2secs adrift of Ahoy Senor.

In fact, it was only at their second last fence, which completed a circuit of comparison, where they took off simultaneously.

So, having already matched a Grade 2 field building towards a race crescendo, the Gold Cup field set out on their final circuit of the home of jump racing with Galopin Des Champs (181+) plumb last and offering his field a head start.

Not fluent

Paul Townend admitted post-race ‘It was not all plain sailing, that’s for sure’ as his partner was less than fluent at some of his obstacles. However, with the pace unrelenting the seven-year-old could be excused the odd blemish at the fences.

Switching attention to Galopin Des Champs versus Impervious over the final circuit of their respective races, the Gold Cup winner held sway every step of the way, covering the final circuit 3.0secs quicker than Colm Murphy’s winning mare.

To add further credit to the favourite’s victory, he was also required to make most of his ground when the pace was lifting again as, from an advantage of 1.1secs when crossing the water jump, his lead over Impervious grew to 3.9secs upon reaching the second last, inclusive of ruffling the birch at the third last.

The mistake only momentarily halted his forward progress as, contrary to the view of Ireland’s champion jockey, the final three furlongs of the contest could not have gone any smoother as he drew alongside Bravemansgame (174) at the second last.

Strode clear

At this point both produced fantastic jumps, before Galopin Des Champs strode clear to victory, covering the ground from the fourth last fence in 77.8secs, which although 0.6secs slower than Impervious, saw him home by seven lengths.

Bravemansgame only gave best in the final 200 yards, which is reflected in his closing sectional of 80.8secs. However, in each of the last two renewals his performance would have seen him adding a Cheltenham Gold Cup to his triumph in the King George VI Chase.

Conflated (170) was resolute in third under jockey change Sam Ewing, holding the late challenge of Noble Yeats (170) who passed Protektorat (168) late to take fourth, running a tidy National trial in the process.

The perspective of the latter’s finishing sectional of 80.0secs adds further credence to the finishing effort of the runner-up as he found his reserves of stamina having remained in contention throughout the contest.

Punchestown is reported to be firmly on the agenda for Willie Mullins’ gelding where the runner-up may renew rivalry as Paul Nicholls described the Punchestown Gold Cup as his preferred option over the Betfair Bowl at Aintree.

A Plus Tard who was brought to a standstill in the aftermath of Ahoy Senor falling, looks to be heading to Aintree for the Betfair Bowl which given he has failed to shine on two previous visits to the Co Kildare track makes perfect sense.

On Friday’s impressive performance it is not hard to imagine Galopin Des Champs emulating his former stablemate Al Boum Photo and returning to triumph again next year, before attempting to equal Best Mate the following year.

In conclusion, there can be no higher praise than to say the son of Buck’s Boum is the equivalent of Constitution Hill in his division and on the clock.

Mares’ Chase

While not achieving quite the same on the clock, Impervious (153+) still produced the best time figure for the Grade 2 contest for mares in its short history.

J.P. McManus’ mare rallied in determined style to wrestle back the lead from Allegorie De Vassy (151+) after the Mullins mare looked to have taken her measure at the final fence.

Pink Legend (145) provides further positive context to the performance as she was beaten eight lengths into third, having been beaten just half-a-length in last year’s renewal by Elimay.