Inothewayurthinkin put Galopin Des Champs’ chances of winning a third consecutive Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup to an end when taking the feature race on day four of the Cheltenham Festival for trainer Gavin Cromwell, owner JP McManus and jockey Mark Walsh.
Supplemented for the race by his owner, the seven-year-old by Walk In The Park who last won when taking the Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree last April, challenged Galopin Des Champs at the final fence and powered up the hill to win.
“It’s brilliant – it’s something you dream of when you’re a kid wanting to be a jockey, so it’s a dream come true,” said Mark. “I had a great trip round. They went a proper good gallop; I had a lovely position.
“Paul Townend was on the outside on Galopin Des Champs and I noticed early on he wasn’t happy – I noticed by his body language that he wasn’t just happy with how Galopin Des Champs was jumping, so I thought that if I had a clear round I could have a little squeak.
“My lad just carried me there. Gavin has done a savage job with him, and Keith Donoghue has done a brilliant job with him at home too – he’s done all the work on him, so I’m just lucky to be able to ride him.”
Inothewayurthinkin went off as third favourite at odds of 13/2 and Gavin admitted that he thought he had “a chance of being a Gold Cup horse”.
“Galopin Des Champs is a dual Gold Cup winner, but we were coming here to try and win the race – we weren’t coming to pick up the pieces and get place money. We thought we’d have a good chance if everything was right.
“To have a runner in the Gold Cup is fantastic, but to win it is unbelievable – I’m so grateful to JP and Noreen [JP’s wife] for sending horses like this to me. I’m just delighted to be able to repay them by winning the Gold Cup.”
Gavin was a farrier for more than 20 years before getting into training racehorses.
“Eventually I had to give up the farrier job when the training got busier. It’s well publicised I was Gordon Elliott’s farrier and I shod Don Cossack [who won the Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup in 2016].”
8/13 favourite Galopin Des Champs finished a gallant second for trainer Willie Mullins, jockey Paul Townend and owner Audrey Turley.
“Everything seemed to be a bit of an effort,” said Paul. “He came half alive the top of the hill the last time and I was hoping it would be game on from there – and it was.
“He’s run a blinder, he’s finished second, he’s gone down on his sword. It’s disappointing to get beaten, but he’s back, he’s fine and gave [people] something to shout about for a long time.”
Asked whether the ground was a bit faster than Galopin Des Champs would like, Paul said: “That’s the first thing I was thinking going round, that this [the ground] is livelier than he appreciates. But no excuses – he wasn’t good enough on the day, but he is still our favourite.”
Mouse Morris, trainer of the third Gentlemansgame – who went off at 40/1 – and was ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe and is owned by Robcour, said: “He ran his heart out and jumped super. He just lacks a gear, but he will stay all day. He is as honest as the day comes.”
In a sad post-script to this race, Corbetts Cross, trained by Emmet Mullins, was fatally injured when falling at the second last.
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