3.05 3m. 44yds. 7 Declared. Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) of €250,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €142,500.00 2nd - €50,000.00 3rd - €25,000.00 4th - €12,500.00 5th - €7,500.00 6th - €5,000.00 7th - €3,750.00
FormscanBy Donal Murphy - Already a short-priced favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, anything other than a win for GALOPIN DES CHAMPS will come as a surprise. By far the highest rated runner in the line-up, he easily beat Fakir D'oudairies into second in the John Durkan at Punchestown, with that one since giving the form a boost by scoring on his next start at Thurles. The selection was an easy winner on his only previous try over three miles and it's difficult to find any chinks in his armour. The only slight concern is the recent record of favourites in this Grade 1 contest, with Quel Espirit the last market leader to triumph back in 2012. Stattler rates as the biggest danger to Galopin Des Champs. He had a flawless campaign last season and went down narrowly on his return to action at Tramore on New Year's Day. Likely to come on plenty for that effort, he should give a good account of himself. Kemboy, Fury Road and Franco De Port finished second, third and fourth in the Savills over the course and distance in December, but they all have an even tougher challenge now. Twice placed in the Aintree National, it'll be interesting to see how Any Second Now fares, while Munster National and Troytown Chase winner The Big Dog completes the seven strong field.
A steeplechase for five years old and upwardsWeights - 5-y-o 11st 4lbs 6-y-o and up 11st 10lbs Mares allowed 7lbs