Galopin Des Champs aims to equal Florida Pearl’s record with a fourth successive Irish Gold Cup victory at the Dublin Racing Festival
Galopin Des Champs could create scenes of pure elation at Leopardstown if he secures a fourth consecutive Irish Gold Cup victory on this rescheduled race day.
The ten-year-old gelding, who has claimed the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, ranks among the most beloved horses currently racing and heads back to his preferred course hoping to match Florida Pearl’s remarkable achievement of four wins in this prestigious event, with Paul Townend in the saddle for trainer Willie Mullins.
However, he confronts a formidable test from within his own yard, as the Closutton master fields seven challengers against him – Gaelic Warrior, Fact To File, Spindleberry, I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West, Champ Kiely and Lecky Watson.
Adding to the competition is Noel Meade’s Affordale Fury, who claimed the Savills Chase at the same venue over the festive period, defeating both I Am Maximus and Galopin Des Champs, plus last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Inothewayurthinkin for Gavin Cromwell.
Gordon Elliott fields a pair in Stellar Story and Firefox, whilst Henry de Bromhead sends out Monty’s Star, reports the Irish Mirror.
The Irish Gold Cup represents just one of seven fixtures on the programme. Below is the complete race card, along with a selection for each contest:
1.15pm: 2m6f (2m6f53y) Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5yo+)
1 Doctor Steinberg (IRE) Paul Townend 13-8
2 Frankie John (IRE) Denis Hogan 33-1
3 Jalon D’oudairies (FR) Jordan Gainford 10-1
4 Kazansky (IRE) Jack Kennedy 6-1
5 Love Me Tender (FR) Mark Walsh 10-3
6 Riskaway (FR) Danny Gilligan 16-1
7 Santo Sospir (FR) Sean Bowen 5-1
8 Tackletommywoowoo (IRE) Sean O’Keeffe 20-1
9 Yeshil (IRE) J J Slevin 33-1
Tip: Doctor Steinberg
1.50pm: 2m Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo)
1 Barbizon (IRE) Danny Gilligan 22-1
2 Bertutea (FR) Sean O’Keeffe 12-1
3 Immediate Effect Sean Bowen 16-1
4 Narciso Has (FR) Mark Walsh 4-5
5 North Shore (FR) Sean Flanagan 28-1
6 Mange Tout (FR) Jack Kennedy 11-4
7 Selma De Vary (FR) Paul Townend 8-1
Tip: Narciso Has
2.25pm: 3m (3m19y) Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+ 0-150)
1 Staffordshire Knot (IRE) Carl Millar (5) 16-1
2 D Art D Art (FR) D King 18-1
3 Daily Present (IRE) Eoin Staples (5) 50-1
4 Yeats Star (IRE) Jordan Gainford 50-1
5 Grann’s Boy (IRE) Darragh O’Keeffe 25-1
6 Minella Sixo (IRE) Kevin Sexton 40-1
7 Son Of Anarchy (IRE) Jack Kennedy 15-2
8 Wendrock (FR) J H Williamson (5) 12-1
9 Champagne Kid (IRE) Eoghan Finegan (7) 8-1
10 Timmy Tuesday (IRE) Paddy Cleary (7) 50-1
11 County Final (IRE) Mark Walsh 4-1
12 Duke Silver (IRE) Hugh Horgan (5) 11-1
13 I Love My Baie (FR) J J Slevin 28-1
14 Sysko (FR) Danny Mullins 28-1
15 Eclipse Chaser (IRE) Sean O’Keeffe 28-1
16 He Can’t Dance (IRE) Danny Gilligan 12-1
17 Road To Home (IRE) Brian Hayes 12-1
18 Barra Rua (IRE) Sean Bowen 25-1
19 Littlefoot (IRE) Patrick M O’Brien (5) 40-1
20 Dippedinmoonlight (IRE) Michael Kenneally (7) 15-2
21 Hartur D’arc (FR) Simon Torrens 40-1
22 Saint Le Fort (FR) Niall Moore (5) 11-1
23 Savante (IRE) Calum Hogan (7) 20-1
24 Small Town Hero (IRE) Conor Stone-Walsh 20-1
Tip: Son Of Anarchy
2.55pm: 2m1f Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)
1 Downmexicoway (IRE) Darragh O’Keeffe 22-1
2 Romeo Coolio Jack Kennedy 8-15
3 Kargese (FR) Paul Townend 15-8
Tip: Romeo Coolio
3.30pm: 3m½f (3m100y) Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)
1 Affordale Fury (IRE) Donagh Meyler 8-1
2 Champ Kiely (IRE) J J Slevin 40-1
3 Fact To File (FR) Mark Walsh 15-2
4 Firefox (IRE) Sean Bowen 66-1
5 Gaelic Warrior (GER) Mr Patrick Mullins 5-1
6 Galopin Des Champs (FR) Paul Townend 13-8
7 Grangeclare West (IRE) Brian Hayes 25-1
8 I Am Maximus (FR) Jack Kennedy 11-1
9 Inothewayurthinkin (IRE) Keith Donoghue 9-1
10 Lecky Watson (IRE) Sean O’Keeffe 50-1
11 Monty’s Star (IRE) Darragh O’Keeffe 40-1
12 Stellar Story (IRE) Danny Gilligan 28-1
13 Spindleberry (IRE) Danny Mullins 8-1
Tip: Galopin Des Champs
4.05pm: 2m1f Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (5yo+ 0-150)
1 Inthepocket Mark Walsh 14-1
2 Jacob’s Ladder (IRE) Jack Kennedy 9-2
3 Addragoole (IRE) Eoin Staples (5) 7-1
4 Ballysax Hank (IRE) Keith Donoghue 7-1
5 Western Diego (IRE) Brian Hayes 11-2
6 Drumgill (IRE) Michael Kenneally (7) 22-1
7 Jasko Des Dames (FR) Darragh O’Keeffe 6-1
8 Golden Joy (FR) Danny Gilligan 18-1
9 More Coko (FR) S Cleary-Farrell (7) 15-2
10 An Peann Dearg (IRE) Sean O’Keeffe 18-1
11 Battle Of Ridgeway (IRE) Liam McKenna (5) 9-1
12 Dont Go Yet (IRE) Philip Donovan (3) 28-1
13 Milan Forth (IRE) Jordan Gainford 16-1
14 Grange Walk (IRE) D King 50-1
Tip: Western Diego
4.40pm: 2m Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) (4-6yo)
1 Broadway Ted (IRE) Mr B O’Neill 11-1
2 Charismatic Kid (IRE) Mr H C Swan 7-4
3 Generous Risk (FR) Mr Patrick Mullins 14-1
4 It’s Only A Game (FR) Mr J L Gleeson 13-8
5 Mossy Way (IRE) Mr F Buckley 25-1
6 Rojuco Mac (IRE) Mr Derek O’Connor 6-1
7 With Nolimit (FR) Mr D G Lavery 20-1
Tip: It’s Only A Game