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Townend looking forward to Galopin again

Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend
© Photo Healy Racing

Paul Townend is looking forward to getting the leg up on superstar chaser Galopin Des Champs again at Leopardstown this weekend.

The dual Gold Cup winner is the biggest name on show at the Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday as he bids for a third success in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup.

He puts his unbeaten record over fences at the Dublin course on the line and is currently a 4/6 shot for the featured three-miler.

“He’s a brilliant horse and really good around Leopardstown,” Townend told journalist Dave Keena.

“I suppose Christmas was up and down for us and I got a good thrill out of riding him there this year.

“He’s a proper horse and any time you get to go racing and see your name alongside him it’s a pleasure. It’s definitely not wasted on me.”

Galopin Des Champs was given a terrific reception after his win at Christmas and Townend added:-

“I was humbled by it. He has a good following and he deserves it as he is a champion in what he’s done. Hopefully he can continue being one. It’s nice to be a part of that.

“Faugheen got a huge reception two years, it’s probably the biggest one I remember being part of up there.

“It’s nice to see the public appreciate a horse like him.”

Galopin Des Champs has been a terrific sight over the fences at the Foxrock course, which presents a real test of jumping down the back straight in particular.

“When you are on one like him you could put another fence down there. When you are on an ordinary jumper there are a lot of fences down there!

“It goes to show, ground can be made up on a good jumper down there and what advantage you can have.

“He seems to be the finished article now and long may he be around because we’ll find it very hard to replace him.”

Townend believes the nine-year-old’s style of racing over staying trips is a major asset at the top level.

“He’s just becoming more grown up but it’s different racing too. As a novice if you are jumping as well as he did you are using that advantage whereas when you got into open company they are catching up on you.

“Over those staying trips you’d prefer to be racing like he does, where you are in control of what you are doing to some extent.

“He just seems to have everything now and he loves it around Leopardstown. He’s done it on all grounds as well. The bottom line is that he’s just a very good horse.”