Galopin Des Champs proved himself to be as good as ever with a tremendous success in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.
Willie Mullins’ eight-year-old – winner of the past two renewals of the Cheltenham Gold Cup – also took this Grade One last season and lined up unbeaten over fences at the Dublin track.
He was the 5-6 favourite under Paul Townend, but had stablemate Fact To File to contend with after being beaten by him when finishing third in the John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown.
Galopin Des Champs made all of the running and set out his stall early, and although Fact To File did give chase in the latter stages he could do little to prevent the winner from crossing the line a power-packed seven and a half lengths ahead.
Mullins said: “That was some performance. He put in some fantastic jumps and to win the way he did after giving the other horse a lead the whole way was one of the best performances I have ever seen around here.
“It’s frightening to think he could still be improving and hopefully he hasn’t left his whole season behind him, but what a great day and a great atmosphere with people all around the parade ring.
“He’s done it the hard way and jumped out in front today.”
Of the runner-up, he added: “Fact To File ran a little bit keen. We might change riding instructions for him in future. If he settles he can stay further. He stayed well today, but he’s come up against an exceptional horse.”
Making his return to action was another Mullins-trained runner in the shape of Randox Grand National hero I Am Maximus. Having made a mistake at the seventh fence, he was pulled up by Jody McGarvey before the fifth-last.
Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, reported: “I Am Maximus is fine, he just made a little mistake and got a little bit tired so Jody pulled him up, but he was fine, no problems.
“He just made the mistake and got a little outpaced and left on his own and Jody just pulled him up.”
