Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend win the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Grade 1 Healy Racing © Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Willie Mullins enjoyed a clean sweep of Grade 1 wins on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival when reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup holder Galopin Des Champs made it four from four on the day for the champion trainer by making all to land the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
Despite a hugely impressive performance when winning the Savills Chase at the Foxrock venue over Christmas, the eight-year-old came into this race with a point to prove, having twice been beaten by Fastorslow since his festival heroics.
With the latter horse having missed his December engagement, the stage was set for a battle royal between the two leading chasers and those in attendance weren't left disappointed.
Setting off to make the running, Galopin Des Champs got into a good rhythm out in front, jumping well under jockey Paul Townend. Meanwhile, JJ Slevin was content to stalk his main rival on Fastorslow, waiting in the wings before delivering his challenge early in the straight.
The pair were neck and neck on the run to the last fence but Galopin Des Champs found extra from the back of that obstacle, staying on strongly to avenge his previous defeats, running out a four-and-a-half-length winner. Conflated was staying on in third when coming down at the last fence.
Winning jockey Paul Townend said: "He was very good today. He had to do it the hard way(making running). He popped out, popped along in front and was there when I asked him. In the end, it turned into a bit of a sprint. He is back to himself."
Willie Mullins said: "It was a terrific performance. He did it the hard way, out in front and jumped from fence to fence.
“He didn't wait around for anyone and did everything right. Paul was very happy with him.
“He set his own pace which is hard to do on soft ground. Paul made sure that he was going to go fast enough and try and suck the energy out of the ones behind, which he did.
“We thought Conflated might make the running but from the early stages we knew that wasn't the way. Paul just had to grab the race by the horns, he did and it worked out.
“I thought for a minute from the fifth last to the third last that JJ Slevin's body language was looking very good and he was confident in the horse he was riding.
“When Paul poured a little bit on and got a great jump at the second last you could see the distress signals coming out and Paul was still happy.
“He was able to dictate in front.
“Gold Cups are always important and it's nice to win another one for Greg and Audrey (Turley).
“It's tremendous prize-money and a tremendous day here in Leopardstown.
“Some people think it's a trial for Cheltenham but for me it's a race in it's own right. They need to be respected and raced for. I bring my best horses here to do that.
“I thought I'd never have a horse good enough to run in the race, never mind win it different years but that's the way the thing has grown and we're very lucky.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
Paddy Power went 8-13f(from 10-11) Galopin Des Champs to retain his Gold Cup crown.
