15:30 Leopardstown

Monday 2 February 2026

All13:1513:5014:2514:5515:3016:0516:40

Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1)

5YO plus | Class 1 | 3m 100y | 13 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Donagh Meyler| T: N Meade| OR: 166| CD

Gained a first win since chase debut when scoring in listed race at Thurles in November, before showing improved form when making most in Savills Chase at this C&D last time by 2½ lengths from I Am Maximus. Going the right way but will need to find more again to repeat the same tactics.

Form: 5/2-2211

Champ Kiely³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| BF

50/1

Caused an upset when recording a first Grade 1 success over fences at Punchestown in April, but ran at least as well giving weight away when close second in Poplar Square at Naas in November. Luckless run next time, though shaped as if amiss when well held at Tramore on New Year's Day.

Form: 131-2S5

Fact To File³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 171| C| D

15/2

Dual Grade 1 winner around 2½m last season (also third in this race), including an excellent display in Ryanair at Cheltenham, and just lost out to Gaelic Warrior in latest renewal of the John Durkan. However, below form in the King George and may just be vulnerable facing a test at this trip.

Form: 23142-6

Firefox^t1⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 154| BF

50/1

Smart form as a novice in 2024/25, unable to add to chase debut success but second to Spindleberry in Grade 1 at Fairyhouse in April. Landed the odds at Down Royal on return and similar form when second of 3 in graduation event at Ascot in December. Difficult ask (tongue strap added).

Form: 23621-2

Gaelic Warrior^h,t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 172| BF| C| D

7/2

Making first start at around 3m over fences, back to best when landing the Aintree Bowl in April and also won next 2 starts, including success over Fact to File in the John Durkan on return. Narrowly denied when third in King George at Kempton last time and he can make another bold bid.

Form: 23111-3

Galopin Des Champs³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 175| BF| CD

13/8

Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner with excellent record at this venue, adding 2 more course victories last season including a third Irish Gold Cup. Rare defeat here when 3¼ lengths third of 11 to Affordale Fury in Savills Chase on return, but he's the one to beat with recent run behind him.

Form: 31121-3

Grangeclare West³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| CD

20/1

Took his form up a notch when second in this race last year and matched that level when third in Grand National at Aintree. Stepped up markedly on this season's reappearance when fourth in Savills Chase in December, though has something to find to get back to winning ways.

Form: 2535-84

I Am Maximus³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: W P Mullins| OR: 168

8/1

Big effort under top weight when runner-up in bid for back-to-back wins in Grand National at Aintree last season. Well beaten in John Durkan on return, but left that effort behind when a staying-on second to Affordale Fury in Savills Chase here in December. Promises to be suited by this test.

Form: 1/P82-92

Inothewayurthinkin^t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 175

11/1

Built on his eye-catching fourth in this race last year when proving too strong for Galopin des Champs in Cheltenham Gold Cup. Yet to fire in 2 starts this term, well held in Savills Chase here last time, but no surprise to see him fare better en route to his title defence at Cheltenham.

Form: 7541-59

Lecky Watson³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| D

40/1

Quickly made up into a better chaser than hurdler last season, winning first 3 starts over fences including Broadway Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. Has found it tougher since, though, seventh of 11 in Savills Chase at this C&D 36 days ago. Has plenty to find.

Form: 111F-77

Monty's Star³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| D

33/1

Without a win since second start over fences, but good fifth in this race last year and ran another sound race when fourth in Cheltenham Gold Cup. Stepped forward from reappearance when fifth of 11 in Savills Chase, though others still preferred at this level.

Form: 25430-5

Stellar Story^t1,b1³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| D

33/1

Made a winning chase debut last season and developed into a smart novice, placed 3 times upped in grade including when runner-up in Broadway at Cheltenham. Bit below that level in 2 starts this term, eighth of 11 in Savills Chase last time. Blinkers/tongue strap now reached for.

Form: 42233-8

Spindleberry³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 154| D

8/1

Has thrived since going chasing, bagging a Grade 1 against the males at Fairyhouse in April. Took her unbeaten record in chases to 5 with a ready success in listed mares' race at Doncaster in December, so she's interesting upped in trip for all this is her toughest test to date.

Form: 5/1111-1

Forecasts

Galopin Des Champs (7/4), Gaelic Warrior (4/1), Spindleberry (7/1), Affordale Fury (8/1), I Am Maximus (8/1), Fact To File (8/1), Inothewayurthinkin (12/1), Grangeclare West (20/1), Monty's Star (25/1), Stellar Story (33/1), Lecky Watson (33/1), Champ Kiely (50/1), Firefox (66/1)

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS may have lost his unbeaten record over fences at this course when third in the Savills Chase in December, but he still shaped encouragingly returning from 8 months off and he can go on to land a remarkable fourth consecutive win in this race. A pair of his stablemates could be the main dangers, with Gaelic Warrior feared most ahead of I Am Maximus.