IT looks very possible that Galopin Des Champs could face a single figure field in opposition when he bids for his third successive Gold Cup at Cheltenham this March. There were 20 entries for the Festival feature last year and that has dropped to 19 this season, with five trained in Britain against 13 Irish-trained, as the entries for the three big Grade 1 championship races were released this week.

The sole French-trained entry is the King George runner-up Il Est Francais, but he is entered in all three of the Grade 1s, as is the King George winner Banbridge and Henry de Bromhead’s Jungle Boogie. Now 12, Jungle Boogie finished sixth in the Gold Cup last season, after travelling very well for a long way. Back in 2004, Best Mate only had nine rivals when he won his third Gold Cup.

What looked like a big threat to the dual winner from last season’s novices has dissipated somewhat.

Spillane’s Tower, second ahead of Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan Chase, is a surprise absentee, after failing to inspire in the King George. The Ryanair is his sole Festival entry.

It may be the best option for the gelding as, at seven, he is a year younger than Fact To File, Grey Dawning and Monty’s Star. Those three were all beaten over the Christmas period and have a bit to prove now. It should be noted that, in the past, Imperial Commander and Don Cossack ran in the Ryanair the year before they won the Gold Cup.

Grey Dawning and L’Homme Presse were beaten in the King George, but the Gold Cup is a vastly different test. Numerous horses have run much better at Cheltenham and it would be no surprise to still see Grey Dawning have a shot.

Best odds: evens Galopin Des Champs, 7/2 Fact To File, 12 Gerri Colombe, 16 Banbridge, Monty’s Star, 20 Grey Dawning, 25 Il Est Francais, Corbetts Cross, L’Homme Presse, 33 Embassy Gardens, Hewick, Gentlemansgame

Champion Chase

Last year’s winner Captain Guinness heads 26 entries for the Champion Chase, with Jonbon heading the bookmaker lists ahead of three Willie Mullins runners - previous dual winner Energumene, and the last two Arkle Trophy winners Gaelic Warrior and last year’s beaten Champion Chase favourite El Fabiolo, still to appear this season.

Next Saturday’s Clarence House Chase is expected to see the clash of the big two here in Jonbon and Energumene.

Gaelic Warrior was briefly favourite for the Stayers Hurdle last season, before he won the Arkle in the spring and is expected to improve on his Leopardstown Christmas second to Solness. New kid on the two-mile block, Solness is also entered by Joseph O’Brien.

Captain Guinness, who won at 17/2 in the absence of Jonbon last year, can be backed at 50s this time.

Gordon Elliott is represented by Found A Fifty, while Marine Nationale will bid to emulate Altior, being the last Supreme Novice winner six years ago, to add a Champion Chase to his record.

Elliott’s American Mike, fifth to Fact To File in the three-mile Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase last season, is a surprise entry, dropping back a full mile after going off favourite for the Troytown Handicap Chase earlier this season.

There are 26 entries compared to 19 last season, with 15 of them Irish-trained. Il Est Francais is the sole French-trained.

Best odds: 9/4 Jonbon, 7/2 Gaelic Warrior, 5 Energumene, 10 El Fabiolo, Il Est Francais, 16 Marine Nationale, 25 Solness, Banbridge, Djelo, 33 Found A Fifty, 40 Quilixios, 50 Captain Guinness, Jungle Boogie, Kalif Du Berlais, Edwardstone, Blood Destiny

Ryanair Chase

The Ryanair Chase could turn out to be a rematch of the King George, with Banbridge and Il Est Francais, and it is the only Festival entry for Spillane’s Tower. It’s likely the race will come for criticism again, but with Galopin Des Champs so dominant at Christmas, it’s no surprise many keep this option open. A total of 34 entries is up two from last year, with 18 Irish-trained.

The surprise omission in the entries is L’Homme Presse, who finished fourth in the Gold Cup and has his only entry there again.

This would look the best option for Il Est Francais who varies from a 4/1 with Hills to a general 10 in the ante-post lists. El Fabiolo ranges from 5s to 8s.

Last year’s winner Protektorat is entered again, as is the 2023 winner Envoi Allen, while Paul Nicholls has Ginny’s Destiny and 2023 Turners winner, Stage Star, also involved.

Best odds: 7/2 Fact To File, 5 Banbridge, 7 Gaelic Warrior, El Fabiolo, Spillane’s Tower, 10 Il Est Francais, 12 Energumene, Grey Dawning, 16 Djelo, 20 Jungle Boogie, 25 Protektorat, Envoi Allen, Heart Wood