Savills Chase: Galopin Des Champs wins battle of Willie Mullins stars at Leopardstown
Galopin Des Champs scored his tenth grade one after beating his stablemate Fact To File to win the Savills Chase on Christmas Day 3 at Leopardstown victory.
Fact To File wins battle of stars trained by Willie Mullins Five weeks ago John Durkan Chase in Punchestown Last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner finished third.
But crucially, John Durkan had just over two and a half miles to go, compared to three miles on Saturday, while Galopin Des Champs went 5-6 The advantage won the important game of the Leopardstown competition.
Two days later Paul Townend was aboard Banbridge, winning the King George at Kempton for the Galopin Des Champs )’s latest victory.
Townend’s mount led all the way at Leopardstown, winning by seven and a half lengths in the sprint after his 13’8 stable moved within striking distance of him at the end.
“It was some performance,” trainer Mullins told RTE Sport after Galloping’s victory.
“It was one of the best performances I’ve seen here anyway. It’s scary to think that he’s improving at nine (years old). Hopefully he doesn’t put a whole season behind him.”
The Mouse Morris-trained Gentleman is 28-1 with Mullins’ Aintree Grand National winner I Am Maximus )” finished in the top three together, while “I Am Maximus” was never in contention in Saturday’s big event.
