Galopin Des Champs proved to be as good as ever with a huge success in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.
Eight-year-old Willie Mullins – winner of the last two renewals of the Cheltenham Gold Cup – claimed a Grade 1 finish last season and lined up unbeaten over fences at Dublin Racecourse.
He was made the 5-6 favorite under Paul Townend, but had stablemate Fact To File to deal with after being beaten by him when finishing third in the John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown.
Galopin Des Champs made all the running and got going early, and although Fact To File gave chase in the closing stages, he could do little to prevent the winner from crossing the line with a force of seven and a half lengths.
Home By The Lee continues Joseph O'Brien's dream journey
Home By Lee regained his Savills Hurdle title in fine style at Leopardstown, as Joseph O'Brien's Christmas hot streak continued apace.
O'Brien took over the race in 2022, but finished fifth out of six last year, although he has returned in good form this season to take the Lismolen Hurdle in mid-November.
Home By The Lee (red) heads home in the Savills Hurdle
The JJ Slevin-trained 15-8 favorite challenged Perfection to win by six lengths from Bob Olinger.
It was thus giving O'Brien a third Grade 1 finish over the Christmas period, after Banbridge in the King George at Kempton Park on Thursday and Solness in the Paddy Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown on Friday.
Kaid d'Authie gets Mullins back on winning ways
Willie Mullins' Christmas fortunes took a turn for the better as Kaid d'Authie impressed by winning the Savills Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The four-year-old has made just one start for his strong stable, having finished fifth behind his now stablemate Magboro at Auteuil in April last year for his previous connections.
His first outing for Mullins and new owner JP McManus was unlucky as he fell at Navan in early December, but he still had a 7-2 chance on his third attempt over hurdles.
Ridden by Paul Townend, he looked comfortable throughout the two-mile and four-furlong race, happily holding on to win outright by half a length from Henry de Bromhead's Divine Cocktail.
“He's a lovely, big, long-striding horse who has little respect for the hurdles he runs and looks like he could be more of a chaser,” said Mullins, who has had a tough period by his standards during the first two days of the festival. Race period.
“He's a big chaser and similar to Magboro. They both cover a lot of ground when they run.
“I'd say he'll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival and take on the best drivers and we'll see where he is from there.”
