Brilliant Galopin lays down his Cheltenham credentials

3.05 Leopardstown Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup

3m, Grade 1

The contenders

The Willie Mullins-trained Gallopin Des Champs has quickly established himself as the best chaser in Ireland and would be unbeaten over the larger obstacles had he not fallen at Cheltenham last March. He was far too good for the very talented Fakir

D’Oudairies on his comeback at Punchestown in December and this extra four furlongs is unlikely to be an issue.

His stablemate Stattler was another of last season’s leading novices and he only lost out narrowly to Minella Indo when reappearing over an insufficient 2m6f at Tramore on New Year’s Day.

A strong Mullins team could also include Kemboy, who finished ahead of Fury Road and Franco De Port when runner-up in the Savills Chase recently and could easily pick up minor honours.

Gordon Elliott has taken out last year’s winner Conflated and will rely on Fury Road. He flopped on this card last year but won a Grade 1 novice chase over course and distance in December 2021 and a third last time out was arguably a career best.

The Big Dog has been making steady progress recently and was a credible third in the Welsh National last time out but this might not be enough of a test for him.

Any Second Now was runner-up in the Grand National and it looks as though he is being prepared with a return to Aintree in mind.

Race tactics

Kemboy is the likeliest frontrunner. Galopin Des Champs can make the running but is equally effective if ridden slightly more patiently.

Stattler is unlikely to lead but wouldn’t want this to develop into a sprint.

Punting pointers

Galopin Des Champs looks on a different level to his compatriots at the moment and it would be a huge surprise if he lost here. His recent displays suggest backing him to win by more than ten lengths could be the way to go.

The lack of runners makes it hard to recommend an eachway option but it might be worth looking for an exacta. I would go with the favourite to beat Kemboy, especially as a few of these might prefer a stiffer test.