CALUM McCLURKIN: Christmas crackers will set the tone for the major spring festivals... and the spotlight is firmly on the classy Gold Cup division
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One of the brilliant aspects about the festive period is how much top-quality sport is on offer. Racing is no different and the potential clashes that could materialise on both sides of the Irish Sea will significantly shake up Cheltenham Festival markets.
![[Galopin Des Champs romps home to win his second Gold Cup earlier this year]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/19/93388511-14217335-Galopin_Des_Champs_romps_home_to_win_his_second_Gold_Cup_earlier-m-7_1734811018566.jpg)
The Gold Cup division leads the way. Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File are on course to conceivably meet three times before Cheltenham in March, proof that there is life in the National Hunt game beyond Cheltenham. Two-time Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs was readily outpointed by his younger stablemate in the John Durkan Memorial Chase. Round two promises to be a more competitive affair, with Galopin Des Champs back over a longer trip of three miles and at his happiest hunting ground of Leopardstown.
![[Fact To File also won at the Cheltenham Festival, claiming the Brown Advisory Novices Chase]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/19/93388507-14217335-Fact_To_File_also_won_at_the_Cheltenham_Festival_claiming_the_Br-m-6_1734811008357.jpg)
Fact To File won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at last year’s Festival in good style and three miles won’t be an issue for him. He’s already quickly proved himself in open company when winning on reappearance at Punchestown. The market can’t split them at 7-4 the Willie Mullins-trained pair for the Savills Chase on December 28 - but the younger legs and lack of rain forecast may swing things once again in the favour of Fact To File.
![[Fact To File leads Galopin Des Champs but Spillane's Tower (far right) made late gains]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/19/93388513-14217335-image-a-4_1734810744605.jpg)
After round two, they could both clash at Leopardstown again in February in the Irish Gold Cup before heading to the big one at Cheltenham in March. It’s a potential rivalry to savour for the rest of the season and beyond, which is the precise thing racing needs at the highest level.
