Ex-Jockey Daryl Jacob Tips Galopin Des Champs for Historic Cheltenham Treble

Former Irish National Hunt jockey Daryl Jacob has backed Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs to make history at this week’s Cheltenham Festival by winning a third straight Gold Cup, a feat previously achieved by Best Mate and Arkle.

Speaking to SportsBoom.com, Jacob, who finished third in the 2019 Gold Cup aboard Bristol De Mai, said he expects Galopin Des Champs to complete the treble barring injury or error, describing the horse as the best chaser currently racing in Britain or Ireland. Mullins has previously called the horse the best chaser he has trained.

A statue of Best Mate, who won the Gold Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2004, already stands at Cheltenham racecourse, and Galopin Des Champs could be given similar recognition should he complete the same run of victories.

Champion Hurdle Shapes Up as Open Contest

Jacob, who rode three Festival winners during his career, also gave his view on the Champion Hurdle. Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill, the 2023 winner, returns as favourite after missing last year’s race through illness. He faces a challenge from Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead, who is unbeaten over hurdles and has beaten last year’s champion State Man in Grade 1 contests at Punchestown and Leopardstown.

Jacob said the presence of Brighterdaysahead has opened up what he expects to be a strong renewal of the Champion Hurdle, and he also tipped the Ryanair Chase as a highly competitive race this year.

Cheltenham’s Unique Atmosphere

Reflecting on his own Festival experience, which includes a Grand National win in 2012, Jacob described Cheltenham as racing’s equivalent of the Olympics and the most significant meeting of the calendar. He said there is no comparable feeling to crossing the line as a winner and being greeted by the crowd in the winners’ enclosure.

The comments were issued by SportsBoom, part of Zealium Media.