Galopin Des Champs powers his way to Irish Gold Cup hat-trick

Leopardstown and Galopin Des Champs are simply a match made in heaven and that was proven as Willie Mullins' star chaser won the Grade 1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup for the third year in a row.

The nine-year-old Timos gelding is now seven from seven over fences and his victory was greeted by lengthy "Ole's" from the enthralled crowd.

He led throughout this extended three miles contest with Embassy Gardens and Monty's Star the closest pursuers over four out.

Stablemate, Fact To File who lowered Galopin Des Champs' colours in the John Durkan at Punchestown in November, took closer order after three out and he held every chance in second at the last.

Galopin Des Champs wasn't for stopping, though, and broke the heart of his rivals in the closing stages as he powered home by four and three-quarter lengths under Paul Townend to justify 1/2 favouritism. Grangeclare West (66/1) got up for second by a short head over Fact To File (10/3) to bring up a Closutton one-two-three.

Willie Mullins said: “Paul has huge faith in him and said he was just going to jump out and go with him.

“I thought we might make it with Embassy Gardens. There were four or five upsides him jumping the first but he had burned them off by the time he got to the third.

“He just jumped and galloped for three miles and it didn’t look like he was stopping coming up to the winning post.

“He’s just a real champion.

“They were all taking him on, they were plenty of horses up there and there was no diminishing the pace at all during the whole race. It was an out-and-out stayers race.

“I was focused on the race and getting over the last and everything in front of me in the stands stood up so I couldn’t see so I was trying to watch the television.

“I was trying to watch and see if there was something coming out of the clouds, but sure enough when I got to see him again he was clear.

“I thought Fact To File would be a bit closer, but Mark (Walsh) was happy that he had settled well and was going to leave him settled and have one go at him, and that’s what he did.

“He only finished third in the end.”

When asked if he was the best he’d ever trained he added: “He has to be, you’d have to say that.

“Hurricane Fly is there and it’s going to be hard to beat his record. This is the best chaser I’ve trained and Hurricane Fly the best hurdler.

“Everyone loves Audrey (Turley) who owns him. She wears her heart on her sleeve and she’s wonderful. People see how much she enjoys the horse and I think that reflects the way they feel for her as well.

“He goes out and takes it from the front and grabs races by the scruff of the neck and he battles off everyone.”

Townend added: "Never before has it happened me - I jumped the last ditch and I could just feel and hear a roar from the stands that far away.

"Imagine if they got to feel what I was feeling?!

"I said he could have jumped better (at Christmas) that day and he was brilliant. He had something keeping him honest today. He spots it (fence) from a long way away and I just say 'right, don't interfere'.

"What a champion!

"He's turning into it (his star), definitely. I'm very, very lucky to have come upon him in my lifetime and so are the owners. the brilliant thing about it is that they don't take it for granted either. They really love the horse.

"The public are behind him now and it is brilliant."

This sealed a treble for Mullins after victories by Final Demand and Majborough and a double for Townend who was also on Final Demand.

Gold Cup favourite, and reigning champion, Galopin Des Champs hardened with Paddy Power from 8/11 to 8/13. Fact To File was eased out to 9/2 from 3/1 while Monty's Star trades at 12s from 11s. Grangeclare West shortened from 50/1 to 20/1 for the chasing blue riband.

Meanwhile, Paddy Power make Fact To File 6/4f from 5/4 f for the Ryanair.

All quotes are non runner no bet.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson