There are few more significant races on the horse racing calendar than the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Grade 1 is the standout race on the National Hunt schedule, with hundreds of thousands of fans flocking to the Cotswolds for the four-day jumps extravaganza at Cheltenham.
However, few races throughout the week garner as much excitement as the Gold Cup, with legends such as Arkle, Best Mate, and Denman among the notable winners of the world’s most illustrious steeplechase. The ante-post market for the 2024 race is already open, but who are some of the contenders worth considering before taking advantage of a welcome offer at The Punters Page?
Galopin Des Champs
It would be challenging to start anywhere else other than the dominant winner of the most recent Cheltenham Gold Cup. Galopin Des Champs has been a superstar throughout his career with legendary trainer Willie Mullins, and he banished ghosts of his dramatic fall in the G1 Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival in 2022 with a seven-length demolition of Bravemansgame in March.
The seven-year-old was unable to win the G1 Punchestown Gold Cup on his final start last season, but all sights will be set on a memorable second win in Cheltenham showpiece in March. However, at the current prices, it could be worth looking elsewhere for an ante-post punt.
Shishkin
The Irish trainers have dominated the Gold Cup in the last five editions, with Native River’s win in 2018 being the only British-trained success since 2015. However, the hopes of the home nation at Cheltenham will likely be on Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin in 2024.
The nine-year-old is one of the most talented horses in training, but piecing together his form at the right time has proved tricky for connections in recent seasons. That was evident once again in the G1 Ryanair at Cheltenham, as he jumped through every fence before storming up the hill to finish just under three lengths behind Envoi Allen.
The team finally decided to step him up in trip to three miles for the first time at Aintree for the G1 Aintree Bowl, and the signs were very positive, as he beat Ahoy Senor by a length and a half. It will be all systems go for the Gold Cup in 2024, which will likely include a showdown with Bravemansgame in the King George on Boxing Day at Kempton.
The Real Whacker
An interesting ante-post angle looks to come in the form of The Real Whacker. The seven-year-old was a revelation for connections last season, winning three times at Cheltenham under the stewardship of trainer Patrick Neville.
The owners were very vocal in the route that they believe the horse should take, and their ambition could see a run in the Gold Cup being on the agenda this year. He was excellent at the Festival in March, beating short-priced favourite Gerri Colombe by a short head in a dramatic fashion of the G1 Brown Advisory.
There is little doubt that he looks well-suited to the Gold Cup trip, and his course form does create a fascinating betting angle. He could be among the runners to consider when the National Hunt stars return to action in October.
