Image source, Getty Images

It could be a day for the French with Jet Blue aiming to become the second French-trained winner of this race after Moulin Riche won for Francois Doumen back in 2005.

David Cottin trains the six-year-old, who showed plenty ability when he won over course and distance in December under James Reveley.

After his double on Thursday, Henry de Bromhead will be hoping that the Big Westerner can land him another Festival win.

And last year’s Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux will aim to challenge for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

2024: Galopin Des Champs

2023: Galopin Des Champs

2022: A Plus Tard

2021: Minella Indo

2020: Al Boum Photo

2019: Al Boum Photo

2018: Native River

2017: Sizing John

2016: Don Cossack

2015: Coneygree

Image source, Getty Images

1. Ahoy Senor
2. Banbridge
3. Corbetts Cross
4. Galopin Des Champs
5. Gentlemansgame
6. Inothewayurthinkin
7. Monty's Star
8. Royale Pagaille
9. The Real Whacker

Laura Scott
BBC sports news correspondent

Eight horses will be trying to deny Galopin Des Champs on Friday, as the nine-year-old bids to become the first triple winner since Best Mate in 2004.

December's King George VI Chase winner Banbridge is the closest rival according to the market, while the third favourite is the market leader in the Grand National - Inothewayurthinkin - whose owner JP McManus paid £25,000 to enter him for the Gold Cup.

There are only three British-trained runners - Ahoy Senor, The Real Whacker and Royale Pagaille - and they are all outsiders.

Mullins knows the hat-trick won't be easy, having come up just short when attempting the feat with Al Boum Photo, who won the race in 2019 and 2020 but finished third in 2021 and sixth in 2022.

However, no-one knows how to train a Cheltenham Festival winner better than Mullins, who celebrated a century of them last year and is the leading trainer so far this week.

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.

"Imposing, athletic, chilled".

Galopin Des Champs, in the words of those who know him best.

Image source, Rebecca Higginson

Our roving reporter in Benidorm, Rebecca (aka editor Marc's sister), is watching the racing in the Spanish sunshine today. Below are some others who have swapped the UK for warmer climes this week. Nice outfits, lads!

If you're in Benidorm for the Gold Cup, send us your pics.

Image source, Rebecca Higginson

So, after a 100-1 shock winner in the opening race, the favourites have triumphed in each of the last two events.

Who says the experts don't know anything?

Winning jockey Mark Walsh, who has claimed his third win of the week, tells ITV Racing: "She deserved that for her fourth time at the Festival.

"She was brilliant today. Paul's mare (Allegorie De Vassy) jumped right but even if she hadn't fallen, I think I had her.

"It was a nice gallop and good ground this year which suited her. She is a great little mare."

Trainer Willie Mullins has now matched the nine wins he enjoyed at the Festival last year. A reminder that his personal record at a single Cheltenham is 10 in 2022.

It means Mullins on his own has more victories than all British trainers at Cheltenham this year.

And it's three victories from three races for Mullins so far today. No trainer has ever claimed all seven wins on a single day at Cheltenham before.

Tom Scudamore
Jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

That will give Mark Walsh a lot of pleasure as well. Mark rode her last year and she stayed it really well but didn't quite get to Limerick Lace but they looked at it and got there this year.

Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

Allegorie De Vassy was big and bold with the jumping but this mare Dinoblue is small and terrier-like. She won as a 6-4 favourite and that has not been the story of the week. Another win for Willie Mullins.

1 Dinoblue (M P Walsh) 6-4 Fav

2 Brides Hill (K M Donoghue) 9-2

3 Shecouldbeanything (Danny Gilligan) 12-1

9 ran

Allegorie De Vassy is on her feet and walking away, as is jockey Paul Townend. Good to see.

Another victory for the favourite, another victory for Willie Mullins.

Allegorie De Vassy ran well, but was jumping quite untidily and it caught up to her at the last as Dinoblue took the lead, sheer stamina telling there.

Mullins has now trained nine winners at Cheltenham this year.

Allegorie De Vassy falls at the last.

Dinoblue will win this.

One to go, and Dinoblue moves into the lead.

Seven remain in this race, two have been pulled up. All the favourites are still in with a chance.

Allegorie De Vassy is jumping big and often untidy, but still holds the lead.

Dinoblue remains well placed though.

John Hunt
Horse racing commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

Allegorie De Vassy was untidy there. Get one wrong and it looks very ugly very quickly.

Allegorie De Vassy to Dinoblue, followed by Limerick Lace and Brides Hill.

Allegorie De Vassy with a couple of slightly wonky jumps there, but still holding the lead.