Cheltenham: Bob Olinger and Galopin Des Champs all set for mouth-watering showdown

Unbeaten novices Bob Olinger and Galopin Des Champs face a mouthwatering clash in the Turners Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

Only four – all trained in Ireland – have stood their ground for day three opener, with the market dominated by the aforementioned horses and the top-calibre form they bring to the table.

Henry de Bromhead’s Bob Olinger is a Festival winner already, having run out a hugely impressive winner of last season’s Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

His jumping has not been entirely convincing in two starts over fences to date, but he showed his class when pulling clear in a Grade Three at Punchestown on his latest appearance and his trainer is confident he is heading in the right direction.

“I think he’s been really good and he jumped fine at Gowran. I thought he then improved a lot at Punchestown and he’s schooled since at Navan and jumped really well,” said De Bromhead.

“Rachael (Blackmore) was really happy with him and we’re really happy. He seems in great form and we’re looking forward to it. He worked really well at Navan the other day.

“People have questioned his jumping, and maybe he’s not lightning fast, but that’s why we said from the start he was never really an Arkle horse – he doesn’t jump lightning quick, he’s more a staying type.

“I don’t think the small field will be an issue. He’s a very good horse this fellow, so we’ll see.”

The Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs was also a winner at last season’s Festival when taking the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, after which he successfully graduated to Grade One level at Punchestown.

He looks set to scale even greater heights over fences judged on his two starts at Leopardstown this season – most recently dominating the Grade One