Record low Gold Cup entries as Galopin Des Champs scares off Cheltenham Festival rivals

A RECORD low number of Gold Cup entries suggests Galopin Des Champs has his Cheltenham Festival rivals running scared.

Willie Mullins' supreme stayer had huge questions to answer in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

But he put in arguably the best performance of his career following two sub-par runs after his Gold Cup heroics last March.

Gerri Colombe was being billed as one of Galopin Des Champs' big challengers.

But even he couldn't get within 23 lengths of the beast - and now it seems others have really taken notice.

There were just 20 entries for jump racing's most prestigious contest earlier this week.

That total is seven down from the previous record low set last year.

Fastorslow, who has twice beaten Galopin Des Champs but didn't run in the Savills on account of the ground, is his next best challenger, it seems.

Galopin Des Champs is evens with Ladbroke to defend his crown while Martin Brassil's charge is 4-1.

There were also 19 entries for the Champion Chase with Mullins' El Fabiolo leading the market.

And some 32 horses were entered in the Ryanair, where King George third Allaho is the early 5-2 fav.

Cheltenhan Gold Cup odds (Ladbrokes)

Evens Galopin Des Champs
4-1 Fastorslow
8-1 Shishkin
10-1 Gerri Colombe
14-1 Hewick
16-1 bar

Champion Chase odds

8-11 El Fabiolo
9-4 Jonbon
11-1 Dinoblue
20-1 bar

Arkle odds

4-5 Marine Nationale
5-1 Gaelic Warrior
8-1 Facile Vega
10-1 bar

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