Summary

  1. Postpublished at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    All nine runners are paraded in front of the grandstand, then are allowed to canter down to the start.

    You could not ask for much better weather for this race. Balmy and clear.

  2. 'I think this is a very interesting this year'published at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    Tom Scudamore
    Jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I think this is a very interesting this year. The others have nothing to lose. There is no pressure on anyone else in this race right now other than Paul Townend. He's going to have to make a decision during the race. The rest of them aren't expected to win.

  3. Postpublished at 15:58 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    Gold CupImage source, Reuters

    Galopin Des Champs is easily idenifiable, with Paul Townend wearing the gold and brown quartered silks.

    Townend will aim to guide his mount to history in around 10 minutes' time.

  4. Postpublished at 15:57 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    Galopin Des ChampsImage source, BBC Sport

    The jockeys have emerged, the horses have been paraded. The greatest event in jump racing is about to begin.

    Good luck everyone.

  5. 'This could be a really historic race'published at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Trainer Lucinda Russell, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Galopin is amazing because he doesn't look outstanding, he just looks like a proper little racehorse. This could be a really historic race. You have to respect him. At this level, you're just trying to get your horse there in the best possible shape and hope you can take them on.

    "This is sport, we have to enjoy it and it doesn't always have to be about the favourites."

  6. 'We've had some big surprises this week'published at 15:54 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    John Hunt
    Horse racing commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I think this horse from Ireland [Galopin Des Champs] is better than Best Mate, that's my gut feeling. We've had some big surprises this week, not least Constitution Hill on day one.

    He's the best horse in that race and if he's right, surely he'll bring the house down.

  7. Grand National favourite Inothewayurthinkin goes for goldpublished at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    Another strong fancy in the Gold Cup is Gavin Cromwell's Inothewayurthinkin - who is currently favourite to win the Grand National next month at Aintree.

    This race may well be used as a bit of a warm-up for the National in 22 days but you certainly cannot count out this game seven-year-old.

    Inothewayurthinkin jumping over a fenceImage source, Getty Images
  8. 'Banbridge loves good ground'published at 15:52 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    Andrew Thornton
    Former jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Banbridge loves good ground and that's what we've got today. He'll be hoping it stays dry all afternoon.

  9. Banbridge to topple Galopin?published at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    Having won the last two Cheltenham Gold Cups, it's more than understandable that Galopin Des Champs is the odds-on favourite to make it a third on the trot. But, Banbridge may have something to say about that.

    The winner of the King George on Boxing Day will be fancied by many to claim a first Gold Cup but has never travelled the 3m 2f distance.

    The weather could have a big say on the outcome of this race with Banbridge wanting it to stay dry while Galopin would love a bit of rain.

    Banbridge running in the King GeorgeImage source, Getty Images
  10. 'The important thing about a horse is the heart'published at 15:50 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Trainer of Galopin Des Champs, Willie Mullins, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "You never know. The important thing about a horse or any athlete is about the heart they bring to the game and Galopin has a lot of that.

    "A lot of training a horse is to keep them sound and keep them healthy. I listen to how he's breathing so I can see if there's something wrong with his lungs, does he cough? Do you notice anything different in his running? Then stop and look at what muscle is hurting him.

    "I'm used to it now. Every day you come out wondering since Christmas and wonder if Galopin is alright. Horses are very fragile. You've got to be brave and gallop them and hope that it's alright."

  11. 'Big race temperament'published at 15:48 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    Charlie Poste
    Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    [Jockey] Paul Townend first and foremost has incredible big race temperament. He makes very few mistakes and in Galopin Des Champs, he has great affinity with this horse.

    It's whether Paul is going to doubt himself but I don't think he will. He's going out there and he's on the best horse.

    Townend could become the most successful jockey in Gold Cup history with victory today - this would be his fifth win if Galopin triumphs.

  12. 'He'll just turn up and do his thing'published at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    Gina Bryce
    BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra presenter at Cheltenham

    Superstitions and all, you can get caught up in that. Galopin Des Champs doesn't know what price he is or feel the weight of pressure. He'll just turn up and do his thing.

  13. 'This is the Dupont of horse racing today'published at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    John Hunt
    Horse racing commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    We're just thinking about the type of individuals who illuminate other sports. We were thinking about the remarkable Antoine Dupont. This is the Dupont of horse racing today in Galopin Des Champs. He beat Fact To File last time out, the form is there. 21 years since Best Mate, it's about time we have another one.

  14. Galopin chases historypublished at 15:44 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup 3m 2f

    Paul Townend celebrates on Galopin Des Champs at LeopardstownImage source, Getty Images

    Much of the talk around this one has been around Galopin Des Champs and whether he can create history with a third Gold Cup in a row.

    The Willie Mullins trained nine year old has had two comfortable wins in the past two years and looked very impressive in winning at Leopardstown last month.

    Rivals who have been on the Gold Cup stage before and not succeeded but are trying again include Ahoy Senor, The Real Whacker and Royale Pagaille

    But Gavin Cromwell's Inothewayurthinkin and Banbridge for Joseph O'Brien could be the main challengers to the history chaser.

  15. Cheltenham Gold Cup tips - Gina Brycepublished at 15:42 Greenwich Mean Time

    Gina Bryce
    BBC Radio 5 at Cheltenham

    16:00 Cheltenham Gold Cup - Galopin Des Champs 4-7

    Better than ever in Irish Gold Cup. Despite the defeats of favourites in all the other championship races, hoping he can bring his A game, which is head and shoulders above of what rest of field have achieved so far.

  16. Who is favourite to win Cheltenham Gold Cup?published at 15:40 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    Andrew Thornton
    Gold Cup-winning jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Galopin Des Champs stays very well. He has an abundance of stamina. The more rain, the better at Cheltenham for him. If we get a heavy downpour later on this afternoon, that will certainly play to his strengths. To get here on three occasions is tough enough but to win three is remarkable.

    He's odds-on favourite so if you put £2 on, you might only make £1 profit. He is a heavy, heavy favourite. He has got some horses in there who like the drier conditions. Banbridge won a King George at Christmas. He is a speedier type, there are question marks if he'll stay the trip. He's never run over it.

  17. No Magnificent Seven for Mullinspublished at 15:38 Greenwich Mean Time

    Frank Keogh
    BBC Sport at Cheltenham

    In case you wondered, Willie Mullins cannot train all the winners today.

    He gives his rivals a rest in the penultimate race, the Hunters' Chase, as he has no runner in the race.

    It may be he is celebrating a fifth winner by then with Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup.

  18. 'I was a nervous wreck'published at 15:36 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Gold Cup

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Jim CullotyImage source, BBC Sport

    Best Mate's jockey Jim Culloty, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I was a nervous wreck. At that time there were no breathalysers or anything. Some of the lads went out in Cheltenham but I took it very seriously. I was home and in bed by 9pm. I got to the races, walked the track to take my mind off and make sure everything was right.

    "I think he's the best horse in the race and appears to be coming into it in good form."

  19. Postpublished at 15:35 Greenwich Mean Time

    Best Mate was the last horse to win three Gold Cups in a row, doing so in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    His jockey, Jim Culloty, is a man who knows as well as anyone what it takes to make history - as Galopin Des Champs aims to do in 25 minutes or so...

  20. In the footsteps of Arkle?published at 15:34 Greenwich Mean Time

    16:00 Cheltenham Gold Cup

    Frank Keogh
    BBC Sport at Cheltenham

    Arkle statue at CheltenhamImage source, BBC Sport

    Mentioning any horse in the same breath as the legendary Arkle is considered sacrilege by some racing fans.

    A statue of he great Irish steeplechaser overlooks the Cheltenham winners' enclosure.

    Arkle won the Gold Cup here three times in the 1960s before injury curtailed his career.

    Galopin Des Champs can certainly lay claim to be the best Irish chaser since if he seals the treble later on.

    Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate are the only horses to have won the Gold Cup at least three times.

    Could we have a Galopin statue in the future...