Explaining Galopin Des Champ’s run Townend said: “Everything seemed to be a bit of an effort but he came half alive the top of the hill the last time and I was hoping it would be game on from ...

Paul [Townend on Galopin Des Champs] was on my outside and early on, he missed a few fences and I just thought he wasn't happy. This boy [Inothewayurthinkin] has had to grow up over the last year.

Inothewayurthinkin, a 15/2 shot trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Mark Walsh, won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday and denied odds-on favourite Galopin Des Champs a third successive victory.

Galopin Des Champs stormed to a seven-length victory in 2023, and defended his crown last year despite having to contend with the unwelcome presence of a loose horse.

Galopin Des Champs only pulled clear of Gentlemansgame just before the second-to-last fence and couldn’t hold off Inothewayurthinkin (15-2) ahead of the last. Gentlemansgame wound up in third place.

As Galopin Des Champs’ quest for glory ended, his is just beginning. An outing at Aintree for the Grand National is to come next month and he will surely be among the favourites.

Each-Way Pick for Cheltenham Gold Cup 2025 As discussed Banbridge is the most likely danger to Galopin Des Champs, but could pay to look beyond the obvious for the best each-way Gold Cup pick.

Galopin des Champs bids to join the legends of jump racing Arkle, Best Mate, Cottage Rake and Golden Miller as a three-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.