15:30 Leopardstown

Saturday 1 February 2025

All13:1513:5014:2514:5515:3016:0516:35

Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 6m 20.30s

Conflated³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| CD

150/1

Winner of this and the Savills here in 2002 but seemingly not the force of old, beaten 28¾ lengths into seventh behind Galopin Des Champs in the latest running of the Savills.

Form: 26-U587

Embassy Gardens³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| C| D

16/1

Very smart chaser. 9/1, career best when winning 7-runner New Year's Day Chase at Tramore (22.8f, heavy) 31 days ago by 5 lengths from Monty's Star, going with enthusiasm.

Form: 6/112P-1

Fact To File³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 168| C| D

10/3

Top-class chaser who had Galopin Des Champs behind him when winning the John Durkan at Punchestown on reappearance but his stablemate proved 7½ lengths too strong for him in the Savills here over Christmas. It might be a similar story again.

Form: 2111-12

Galopin Des Champs³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 177| CD

1/2

Behind Fact To File on reappearance but this dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner looked back to his best when proving 7½ lengths too strong for his reopposing stable-companion in the Savills here over Christmas. Hard to beat as he bids for a hat-trick of wins in this race.

Form: 1112-31

Grangeclare West³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| CD

66/1

Very smart C&D winner at best but 23¼ lengths sixth of 9 to Galopin Des Champs in Savills Chase here 35 days ago. Likely booked for another struggle.

Form: 61/11-P6

Hewick^b³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Jordan Gainford| T: Miss T L Cogan| OR: 163| D

33/1

Last season's King George winner. As good as ever when second in the Champion Chase at Down Royal (3m, good to soft) in November and not disgraced back hurdling at the Christmas meeting here.

Form: 63-2325

I Am Maximus³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: J S McGarvey| T: W P Mullins| OR: 169

28/1

Added to his 2023 Irish Grand National success when landing the Grand National at Aintree last April but he made an underwhelming return to action when pulled up in the Savills over Christmas. Can only watch after that.

Form: 14311-P

Inothewayurthinkin^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 159

16/1

High-class chaser. 11/1, creditable 15¼ lengths fifth of 9 to Galopin Des Champs in Savills here (good to soft) over Christmas, barely adequate test. The ground might be more testing this time, which would help.

Form: 3911-75

Minella Cocooner³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156| C| D

100/1

Smart chaser but comfortably held by Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File on this season's form.

Form: 3631-58

Monty's Star³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 153| BF| D

12/1

Had an excellent first campaign over fences, finishing second Fact To File and Spillane's Tower in Grade 1 novices at Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring. Shaped as if run was just needed when 5 lengths second to Embassy Gardens on Tramore reappearance on New Year's Day. Should be spot on now.

Form: P/3122-2

Forecasts

Galopin Des Champs (1/2), Fact To File (10/3), Monty's Star (12/1), Inothewayurthinkin (16/1), Embassy Gardens (16/1), I Am Maximus (28/1), Hewick (33/1), Grangeclare West (66/1), Minella Cocooner (100/1), Conflated (150/1)

The outstanding GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can confirm his Christmas meeting superiority over stablemate Fact To File and land a third successive win in this race. Monty's Star is taken to reverse Tramore reappearance form with Embassy Gardens and prove best of the remainder.