Fastorslow grabs more Punchestown Gold Cup glory

Fastorslow retained his Grade 1 Punchestown Gold Cup crown with a superb round of jumping and, in so doing, squared it up at 3-3 with his old rival, and reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Galopin Des Champs

Galopin Des Champs went off 1/2 favourite, but came off the bridle after three out as Fastorslow moved ahead of left-jumping-leader Conflated

Fastorslow entered the straight on good terms with himself and popped the last two fences well. Galopin Des Champs emerged as the biggest danger between the final two fences, but wasn't great over the last.

Fastorslow (7/2) kept up his gallop for home and although Galopin Des Champs stayed on, he was still a length and a-quarter behind at the winning post. Hewick put in a stout performance in third at 12/1, beaten three and a-half lengths by the winner.

Jockey JJ Slevin said: "He's an absolute monster!

"He's some horse and he is by far the best horse I've ever ridden.

"He was actually keen for the first mile and I was very worried about that. He had a bit of a go at the first down the back and came out of my hands, but he's an absolute machine.

"It was a long way home (from Cheltenham) but, at the end of the day, it is a horse race and you have to move on. There's a lot of people in worse situations."

Owner Sean Mulryan added: “It’s Punchestown, our local track, there is nothing better than this! All our friends and family are here, it’s very special.

“To win it last year was a bit of a shock, but to win it two years in a row is something that can probably never be repeated again. We have to enjoy every second.

“In a lifetime you could have a hundred horses and never have a horse like him.

“Martin is an extraordinary man to care for a horse and had him spot on today.”

Martin Brassil said: “He’s turned up in just as good a shape (as last year) and possibly even better.

“JJ said he was running away with him for the first mile.

“He’s the best horse that I’ve ever had.”

Willie Mullins said of runner-up Galopin Des Champs: “Fastorslow is always good around this time of year and around this track. JJ gave him a very brave ride. He didn’t wait around for our fellow. He went out and took the race by the scruff of the neck and it worked for him.

“Our fellow ran a great race and was staying on at the end.

“Paul set out to make the running and the race sort of overtook him. There is no point in forcing a horse to make the running and I don’t think he jumped well enough to make the running either.

“The better horse on the day won the race.”

Paddy Power made Fastorslow 7/1 from 20s for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Fact To File is their 7/2 favourite with Galopin Des Champs now 4/1 from 3/1f.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee