“We fall victim to looking ahead too much in this game,” remarked Paul Townend after steering Galopin Des Champs to victory in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, in front of a crowd of 18,297 at Leopardstown.

While absolute greatness could be just over a month away—when he attempts to join the elite ranks of three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winners—Townend’s words serve as a timely reminder to appreciate the present.

Joining the likes of Jodami and Beef Or Salmon as a three-time winner of this race, and now just one shy of Florida Pearl’s record, is an achievement worthy of celebration. Anyone present at Leopardstown on Saturday afternoon could not have doubted the admiration the Willie Mullins-trained and Audrey Turley-owned champion commands from racing fans.

The crowd erupted as Galopin Des Champs led the pack past the stands with a circuit to go, and their cheers only grew louder when he cleared the second-last still in front. A brief hush fell as the chasers closed in on the flat between the final two fences, but excitement returned as he jumped the last ahead before galloping clear on the run-in to secure an emphatic victory.

Stablemate Fact To File, ridden more patiently this time, loomed large in the straight but could not sustain his effort in the heat of battle, allowing another Mullins-trained contender, Grangeclare West, to snatch second place at the line, four lengths adrift of the winner.

“He’s a very, very special horse, and it was a very special reception he got,” Townend added. “We have to enjoy him because horses like him are very hard to find.”

Mullins, celebrating his 14th victory in the race, was equally effusive in his praise for his nine-year-old star.

“He’s just a real, real champion. Paul has huge faith in him and said he was going to jump out and take the lead. There were four or five horses upsides him at the first, but he had burned them off by the third. He jumped and galloped for three miles and didn’t look like stopping as he reached the winning post.

“Watching the race, I thought, ‘everyone is asking Galopin Des Champs, they’re all taking him on’. Yet, there was no let-up in pace throughout—it was a true test of stamina.”

Fact To File’s trainer had expected him to finish closer, but jockey Mark Walsh was content with his ride. “He settled well and had one go at the winner—that’s what we planned,” Mullins explained.

Asked if Galopin Des Champs might be the finest horse he has trained, Mullins hesitated before replying: “He has to be, yes, but Hurricane Fly is still there. It’s difficult to surpass his record, but this is the best chaser I’ve ever trained, just as Hurricane Fly was the best hurdler.”

Any suggestions that Galopin Des Champs had yet to capture the public’s imagination were put to rest. Mullins believes much of that is down to his popular owner.

“Everyone loves Audrey,” he said. “She wears her heart on her sleeve, and people see how much she enjoys the horse. That connection resonates with the crowd.”

Bookmakers reacted by cutting Galopin Des Champs’ odds to no bigger than 4-6 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Fact To File drifted out to 6-1.

Mullins Dominates with Grade One Victories

Mullins also celebrated further Grade One successes on the day, as Final Demand and Majborough delivered impressive performances.

Final Demand, once regarded as one of the most expensive store horses of his generation, showed his class with a dominant win in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle. Sitting in a perfect position for most of the race, he moved effortlessly into daylight on the turn for home before powering clear.

“A huge performance,” Mullins said. “For him to do that in only his second run over hurdles is remarkable. He was a good horse before, but what he produced from the last fence home sets him apart.”

Majborough, meanwhile, extended his unbeaten record over fences with an authoritative display in the Goffs Irish Arkle Chase. Mark Walsh guided him to victory, despite a few untidy jumps, setting up an eagerly anticipated Cheltenham clash with Sir Gino.

The race began at a furious pace, with Majborough racing prominently alongside Touch Me Not. However, the Triumph Hurdle champion found another gear in the closing stages, pulling clear in devastating style. Touch Me Not held on for second, ahead of stablemate Firefox, while Ile Atlantique, well supported in the market, disappointed.

Watching from the stands, Mullins acknowledged the crowd’s audible gasps each time Majborough hit a fence but remained confident.

“The camera can be deceiving,” he said. “He never looked like falling, and Mark said there was plenty left in the tank at the finish.”

Despite his impressive display, Majborough remains second favourite for next month’s Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, now priced at 2-1 behind the 4-5 favourite Sir Gino.

Historic Grade One Triumph for Cromwell

For Gavin Cromwell, Hello Neighbour’s victory in the Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle marked a significant milestone. It was his first Grade One win in Ireland in over four years—a testament to the fierce competition in National Hunt racing.

Now unbeaten in four outings under both codes, Hello Neighbour was more settled than when he won at Christmas, and despite still having room for improvement, he looks a serious contender for the Triumph Hurdle.

“Thrilled,” exclaimed Cromwell. “It’s so competitive. I haven’t won a Grade One in Ireland in over four years—that’s how tough it is. But this is a proper horse.”

Cromwell quickly doubled his success at the meeting when Perceval Legallois made a winning return to hurdles in the Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle. The Mark Walsh-ridden gelding, who landed the valuable Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Christmas, proved his versatility by delivering another polished performance.

“You wouldn’t think he’d just been running over fences,” Cromwell noted. “He was very nimble over hurdles. I had thought he was a better chaser than hurdler, but he was impressive today.”

With Perceval Legallois entered for the Grand National, Cromwell will now weigh up his options.

Other Notable Winners

Noel Meade produced a fine training performance as Colcannon captured the Grade Two Paddy Power Play Card Bumper under Derek O’Connor. Despite not having run since October, the gelding travelled strongly before powering clear of his rivals.

“The plan was to go hurdling, but he wasn’t schooling well, so we switched back to bumpers,” Meade explained. “We aimed for Christmas, but he had to be withdrawn. He’s not qualified for Cheltenham, but we’ll look towards Punchestown.”

Meanwhile, An Peann Dearg delivered a dominant victory in the listed Ryanair Handicap Chase, giving Sean O’Keeffe a Leopardstown festival double. The eight-year-old, who narrowly won at Christmas, produced an even stronger performance this time.

“It’s fantastic for his owners, Jim and Sonja Buckley,” said trainer Paul Nolan. “They are vital to our yard, and it’s brilliant to get this big win for them. The handicapper will take note, but today, he was outstanding.”

Leopardstown Festival Delivers Yet Again

The latest Leopardstown meeting provided thrilling action and standout performances, with Galopin Des Champs reaffirming his dominance ahead of Cheltenham. While the festival awaits, his latest display left no doubt—he is the horse to beat in the Gold Cup.