JJ Slevin is hopeful that Fastorslow can lower the colours of old rival Galopin Des Champs again in the Boodles Gold Cup at Cheltenham next week.

Martin Brassil's charge has notched two victories over the Willie Mullins-trained star, in the Punchestown Gold Cup last April and in the John Durkan Chase earlier this season.

He was no match for the brilliant Timos gelding in the Irish Gold Cup last month but Slevin remains optimistic that his mount can give the hotpot a race around Prestbury Park next Friday.

“We have a chance for sure, we've already beaten him twice and we know how to do it,” said Slevin, who was talking to Dave Keena in his role as William Hill racing ambassador.

“If we can get a scenario like we did at the Punchestown festival last year I don't see any reason why we can't put it right up to him again. I think that will happen at Cheltenham and I'm looking forward to it again."

Galopin Des Champs recorded a stunning success in the Irish Gold Cup last month and Slevin added:-

“That's the Galopin Des Champs we saw as a novice and there aren't many horses around that would have been able to do that, in recent years anyway.

“Obviously if Galopin Des Champs is on his A-game it will take a massive horse to beat him but we're one of the few that I think can give him a race and worry him anyway. You never know what might happen with a different scenario."

Slevin feels that Fastorslow is coming into the festival in top order:-

“I think he's starting to peak now and I think the race in Leopardstown will leave him spot on for the Gold Cup hopefully.

“We need a bit of luck and we'll see what way the cards fall on the day. We're looking forward to it, it's a different race and a different scenario in front of us.”