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.
Earlier at Leopardstown, Home By The Lee regained his Savills Hurdle title in good style 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.
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.
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O’Brien said: “He’s been a good horse for a few years now and it was a really good reappearance in Navan the last day.
“His best runs have been with the blinkers before. He’s always less enthusiastic on his second run and we were worried that he may do a bit too much with the blinkers back on.
“J J got him settled and into a lovely rhythm and I’m delighted for Sean and Rose (O’Driscoll, owners) and all their friends. This horse has a big following and is a special horse.
“I’d say that was close to a career-best from him. He’s been around for a number of years now and will go back to Cheltenham with an each-way chance.”
Of his recent run of form, O’Brien added: “It’s been a really good week.
“Solness has been a good consistent horse, but J J found a good strip of ground all the way and Banbridge was going to be in the mix if he stayed and Paul (Townend) gave him a fantastic ride.
“Rarely things fall into place the way like you dream they could, but this week it has for us.”
Impaire et Passe, file photo. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
At Limerick this afternoon, Impaire Et Passe took a significant step in his early career over fences with a fine win in the Guinness 0.0 Faugheen Novice Chase.
Ridden by Daryl Jacob for trainer Willie Mullins and owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the six-year-old – three times a top-level winner over hurdles – was the 8-13 favourite for the Grade One contest, having won his chasing debut by 12 lengths at Fairyhouse in November.
Among a field of seven he was ridden patiently and always looked settled, making good progress throughout before laying down a challenge in the closing stages and sealing the victory with a good jump at the last.
The winning margin was four lengths on the line, with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Jordans the runner-up.
Shortly after the success, Jacob announced his plans to retire.
The success followed a testing time for Jacob, who has had a lengthy injury-enforced absence to overcome, and after adding the title to a CV that includes the Grand National with Neptune Collonges, he said his sole ride on the final day of Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting would be his last.
He told Sportinglife.com: “It’s the right decision at the right time. I’ve worked very hard to get back from injury this season and I knew I had some good opportunities this Christmas, including in the Grade One.
“To ride Impaire Et Passe there to win the Grade One, it will be very difficult to beat that now and finishing at Leopardstown, where I won my first Grade One, feels right.
“I’ve always wanted to retire on my terms, riding good horses, and Impaire Et Passe has been one of our best horses. He’s very special to me.”
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Galopin Des Champs and Home By The Lee triumph at Leopardstown
LAST UPDATE | 11 hrs ago
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.
Earlier at Leopardstown, Home By The Lee regained his Savills Hurdle title in good style 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.
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.
O’Brien said: “He’s been a good horse for a few years now and it was a really good reappearance in Navan the last day.
“His best runs have been with the blinkers before. He’s always less enthusiastic on his second run and we were worried that he may do a bit too much with the blinkers back on.
“J J got him settled and into a lovely rhythm and I’m delighted for Sean and Rose (O’Driscoll, owners) and all their friends. This horse has a big following and is a special horse.
“I’d say that was close to a career-best from him. He’s been around for a number of years now and will go back to Cheltenham with an each-way chance.”
Of his recent run of form, O’Brien added: “It’s been a really good week.
“Solness has been a good consistent horse, but J J found a good strip of ground all the way and Banbridge was going to be in the mix if he stayed and Paul (Townend) gave him a fantastic ride.
“Rarely things fall into place the way like you dream they could, but this week it has for us.”
At Limerick this afternoon, Impaire Et Passe took a significant step in his early career over fences with a fine win in the Guinness 0.0 Faugheen Novice Chase.
Ridden by Daryl Jacob for trainer Willie Mullins and owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the six-year-old – three times a top-level winner over hurdles – was the 8-13 favourite for the Grade One contest, having won his chasing debut by 12 lengths at Fairyhouse in November.
Among a field of seven he was ridden patiently and always looked settled, making good progress throughout before laying down a challenge in the closing stages and sealing the victory with a good jump at the last.
The winning margin was four lengths on the line, with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Jordans the runner-up.
Shortly after the success, Jacob announced his plans to retire.
The success followed a testing time for Jacob, who has had a lengthy injury-enforced absence to overcome, and after adding the title to a CV that includes the Grand National with Neptune Collonges, he said his sole ride on the final day of Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting would be his last.
He told Sportinglife.com: “It’s the right decision at the right time. I’ve worked very hard to get back from injury this season and I knew I had some good opportunities this Christmas, including in the Grade One.
“To ride Impaire Et Passe there to win the Grade One, it will be very difficult to beat that now and finishing at Leopardstown, where I won my first Grade One, feels right.
“I’ve always wanted to retire on my terms, riding good horses, and Impaire Et Passe has been one of our best horses. He’s very special to me.”
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Horse Racing Leopardstown Limerick racing season