Galopin Des Champs proved himself to be as good as ever with a tremendous success in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.
Willie Mullins’ eight-year-old – winner of the past two renewals of the Cheltenham Gold Cup – also took this Grade One last season and lined up unbeaten over fences at the Dublin track.
He was the 5-6 favourite under Paul Townend, but had stablemate Fact To File to contend with after being beaten by him when finishing third in the John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown.
Galopin Des Champs made all of the running and set out his stall early, and although Fact To File did give chase in the latter stages he could do little to prevent the winner from crossing the line a power-packed seven and a half lengths ahead.
Home By The Lee continues dream run for Joseph O’Brien
Home By Lee regained his Savills Hurdle title in good style at Leopardstown, as Joseph O’Brien’s Christmas hot streak continued apace.
O’Brien’s charge took the race in 2022, but was fifth of six last year, although he returned in good form this season to take the Lismullen Hurdle in mid-November.
Home By The Lee (red) heads for home in the Savills Hurdle
The J J Slevin-trained 15-8 favourite was produced for his challenge to perfection to prevail by six lengths from Bob Olinger.
In doing so he was giving O’Brien a third Grade One of the Christmas period, after Banbridge in the King George at Kempton Park on Thursday and Solness in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown on Friday.
Kaid d’Authie puts Mullins back on the winning path
Willie Mullins’ Christmas fortunes took a turn for the better as Kaid d’Authie impressed to win the Savills Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The four-year-old had made only one prior start for his powerhouse stable, having been fifth behind now-stablemate Majborough at Auteuil in April last year for previous connections.
His first run for Mullins and new owner JP McManus was luckless as he fell at Navan in early December, but still he was a 7-2 chance on his third attempt over hurdles.
Under Paul Townend he looked comfortable throughout the two-mile, four-furlong affair, happily staying on to a straightforward half-length victory from Henry de Bromhead’s Koktail Divin.
“He’s a lovely big, long-striding horse who has very little respect for his hurdles and looks like he could be more of a chaser,” said Mullins, who had endured a thin spell by his standards over the first two days of the festive racing period.
“He’s a big chasing type and is similar to Majborough. They both cover a huge amount of ground when they gallop.
“I’d say he’ll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival and take on the top two-milers and we’ll see where he is then.”