Cheltenham Gold Cup: Paul Townend honors Garopin de Champs after festival win

Paul Townend reflected on another successful Cheltenham Festival, riding the Gallopin des Champs to claim his third Gold Cup victory and round out the top riders title.

Townend and trainer Willie Mullins have landed blue ribbons at Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020, and Galopin Des Champs won the Bravemansgame by seven lengths, giving Townend the most successful run in racing history. He needs one more win to match Pat Taaffe as a rider. .

Garopin de Champs dominated the Gold Cup market early on, but his confidence was justified with an impressive last fence fall victory in the 2022 Turners Novice Chase. .

Townend lists the 7-year-old as one of their best rides, but he praised Al Boum Photo after the festival strike, but he said he felt pressured before the main event. admitted.

“All the winners at Cheltenham are special, but the Gold Cup is the Gold Cup and the pressure on the horse is so cleverly portrayed that it adds a special spice to it. .”

“Honestly, I thought the start was a bit of a joke. For the Gold Cup, the horse jumped left and right and hit me, and he (Galopin de Champs) changed a little bit, so we were on the back. All his credit for coming back from the air and into Rhythm and Bar was the third and final circuit where he was pretty good.

“At Leopardstown, I gave him a few flicks and he took off for me. And yesterday he sprinted down the line and I actually had to stop him.

“He’s right next to the best horse I’ve ridden, but Al Boom has won two.”

Townend won the Top Jockey crown for the third time, Mullins won the 10th Trainer of the Year award, the duo took five wins together, and Handler’s sixth with his son Patrick.

The team won Grade 1 gold along with Arkle Runner El Fabiolo, Champion Chase winner Energmene, Barrymore Novice Hurdle Scorer Impere e Passe, and Triumph Hurdle winner Rossy Mouse among others.

Townend added: Exercise like that. ”