Galopin Des Champs (7-5 favourite) flew up the Cheltenham hill for a thrilling victory in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase on the final day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
The seven-year-old proved both his stamina and his strength as he got the better of a battle with Paul Nicholls' King George VI Chase winner Bravemansgame (6-1) over the last fence before going to score by a super seven lengths to give Irish champion trainer Mullins a third victory in the blue riband after Al Boum Photo's double in 2019 and 2020.
Under Paul Townend, he was always travelling well in rear off the pace set by Ahoy Senor. And while he had been unproven over this extra distance, his stamina was never in doubt as he outstayed Bravemansgame up the Cheltenham hill superbly. Gordon Elliott's Conflated (22-1) was a further six-and-a-half-lengths back in third with last year's Randox Grand National hero Noble Yeats (10-1), running a fine trial for his return to Aintree Racecourse on April 15 when coming home another length-and-a-quarter back in fourth, staying on well after being outpaced. Dan Skelton's Protektorat was fourth with Royale Pagaille and Eldorado Allen the only other finishers.
