News - 04/04/24
Cheltenham Gold Cup: Distance, going play to Galopin Des Champs' strengths
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Cheltenham Gold Cup: Distance, going play to Galopin Des Champs' strengths
Category : News
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Thu 14/03/2024 - 12:47 EDT
Horseplayers around the world look forward to £625,000 Cheltenham Gold Cup (G1) every year, and the 2024 edition happens Friday, March 15! The race is the signature event of the Cheltenham Festival, and the most prestigious prize in steeplechasing. 12 horses are entered to jump the 22 fences spread over a testing three miles, two and a half furlongs. For anyone who enjoys betting horse races, this is a lucrative event not to be missed!
The field this year includes the top two finishers from 2023. Galopin Des Champs, last year’s winner, will attempt to become the first back-to-back winner since Al Boum Photo. Second-place Bravemansgame will try to do one better. Other major contenders include the top-class Fastorslow, Grand National winner Corach Rambler, and L’Homme Presse, on the comeback trail.
Can Galopin Des Champs win again, or will someone spoil his party? Keep reading to find out, and to see the best places to bet the Cheltenham Gold Cup online in California!
[USA Odds Table]
Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting Online
As exciting as it would be to take a trip to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, we cannot all see one of the best betting events of the season live. Fortunately, you can be a part of the action from California anywhere with an internet connection by betting online from your phone, tablet, or computer!
There are many choices and they may seem daunting, but our online betting experts are here to help. All of our recommended online racebooks have the basics: trusted payouts, a great user experience, and market-leading odds. Our reviews will also help you to pick the best racebook bonuses for your betting style, which can help you build your bankroll by hundreds or even thousands of dollars!
These are the top online racebooks for players in California:
Cheltenham Gold Cup Field
This is the official field for the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup including betting numbers, trainers, and jockeys:
- Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden)
- Corach Rambler (Lucinda Russell/Derek Fox)
- Fastorslow (Martin Brassil/J. J. Slevin)
- Galopin Des Champs (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend)
- Gentlemansgame (Mouse Morris/Darragh O’Keeffe)
- Gerri Colombe (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy)
- Hewick (John Joseph Hanlon/Jordan Gainford)
- Jungle Boogie (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore)
- L’Homme Presse (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch)
- Monkfish (Willie Mullins/Patrick Mullins)
- Nassalam (Gary Moore/Niall Houlihan)
- The Real Whacker (Patrick Neville/Sam Twiston-Davies)
There is no better time than now to start betting online. Not only is betting online more convenient than going to a track or OTB, but online racebooks also offer fixed-odds betting on many major races. This means that, instead of having to wait until post time to know your price, you can lock in an overlay at the moment you bet!
These are the odds at the top of the market in the Cheltenham Gold Cup:
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galopin des Champs | +110 | +110 | +110 |
| Fastorslow | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Gerri Colombe | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| L'Homme Presse | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Bravemansgame | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
Cheltenham Gold Cup Handicapping
With your California online betting account at the ready, it is time to start handicapping the race! These are the top contenders in the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Favorites
Galopin des Champs won as the favorite last year, and he comes into the 2024 edition just as sharp, off another convincing score in the Irish Gold Cup (G1). He has maintained good form against quality company since that time. The soft going plays to his strengths, and he handled the Gold Cup distance well last year.
He will have a rematch against Fastorslow, who beat him two times last fall, though the distance looks like the key. Over shorter distances Fastorslow was able to land his blows, but over the longer Irish Gold Cup distance Galopin des Champs was able to turn the tables on Fastorslow. He has quality, but over the even longer trip of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Fastorslow looks an underlay.
The most interesting upset candidate is L’Homme Presse. He showed up strong to the Cheltenham Festival two years ago with a victory in the Novices’ Chase (G1), but did not race at all for over a year after unseating his rider in the 2022 King George VI (G1). He returned a winner at Lingfield in January of this year, and finished second in the Ascot Chase (G1) next out. Third off the lay over a longer distance, he has a good chance to find his best yet.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Exotics Horses
Bravemansgame comes into the Gold Cup for his first start of the year, just like he did last year. And, though he was winless in 2023, he hit the board in all five starts including a second-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which was also his seasonal bow. It would be a surprise if he suddenly remembers how to win, especially against Galopin des Champs, but his consistency can earn him a share.
The Real Whacker, one of the longest shots in the field, can outrun his price. He looks like a Cheltenham horse for the course, including a win in the Novices’ Chase last year. His local prep was a respectable enough second in the Cotswold Chase (G2) in January, and he stayed on well enough to have gotten something out of the race and to be interesting over this slightly longer distance, especially at a massive number.
2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup Free Picks
You have set up your online betting account and gotten to know the horses. Now, it’s time to place your wagers! Here are the best bets for Friday’s 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup:
- $20 to win - #4 Galopin des Champs
- $10 each-way - #9 L’Homme Presse
- $1 exacta key - #4 Galopin des Champs with #3 Fastorslow, #9 L’Homme Presse
- $0.50 trifecta key - #4 Galopin des Champs with #1 Bravemansgame, #3 Fastorslow, #9 L’Homme Presse, #12 The Real Whacker
- $0.20 superfecta key - #4 Galopin des Champs with #1 Bravemansgame, #3 Fastorslow, #9 L’Homme Presse, #12 The Real Whacker
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