The abundance of excellent sports available during the holiday season is one of its wonderful features. The markets for the Cheltenham Festival will be greatly impacted by the possible conflicts that could arise on both sides of the Irish Sea, and racing is no exception.
The Gold Cup category leads the way. There is still life in the National Hunt game outside of Cheltenham, as Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File are on track to potentially meet three times before Cheltenham in March. In the John Durkan Memorial Chase, Galopin Des Champs, a two-time Gold Cup hero, was easily defeated by his younger stablemate.
The second round is expected to be more competitive because Galopin Des Champs will be returning over a three-mile course and at Leopardstown, his favorite hunting location.
Three miles won’t be a problem for Fact To File, who won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Festival last year in fine fashion. He has already demonstrated his abilities in public company by winning at Punchestown on his comeback. For the Savills Chase on December 28, the market cannot split the Willie Mullins-trained duo at 7-4, but the younger legs and the absence of rain are likely to tip the scales back in favor of Fact To File.
Following round two, they might play each other again in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February before going to the major event at Cheltenham in March. It’s a rivalry that might last throughout the season and beyond, which is exactly what top-tier racing needs.
Gerri Colombe, the runner-up from the previous year, must be frustrated by the prediction of quickish ground at Leopardstown after his disappointing comeback at Down Royal. Gordon Elliott, the trainer, pointed up a few problems, but he has also performed poorly at Leopardstown. Regardless of what transpires between now and March, don’t be shocked if he comes alive in the spring and performs admirably at Cheltenham once more.
