Galopin Des Champs is the headline act on day two of the Punchestown Festival as he bids to end his campaign on a high in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup.
The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner suffered a shock defeat in the same race 12 months ago but can hopefully right that wrong this year.
After a below-par return to action this season he has been imperious in three starts since and cemented his position as the best staying chaser in training in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month.
He never looked in trouble as he posted a convincing three-and-a-half-length success over Gerri Colombe.
That didn’t look like a race that would leave much of a mark on the eight-year-old and he’s hard to oppose despite his blip last year.
Fastorslow famously lowered his colours then and also beat him here in the John Durkan in November.
He proved no match for a peak Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup though and didn’t get a chance to test him last time when unseating at Cheltenham.
If Galopin Des Champs doesn’t run up to his best, Fastorslow is the horse to take advantage though.
Everywhere you look today, Willie Mullins has a strong presence and it could be another bumper day for the champion trainer.
Jasmin De Vaux is another Cheltenham winner trying to confirm form from Prestbury Park when he lines up in the Champion Bumper.
The Tirwanako gelding was a convincing winner from Romeo Coolio last month and it’s hard to see that rival turning the tables.
A bigger danger could be the Barry Connell-trained William Munny, who is two from two and was very impressive at Naas in February.
In the other Grade One contest, the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle, Dancing City looks the pick of the four Mullins runners over just shy of three miles.
The chestnut had to settle for third behind Stellar Story in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham but turned around the form with runner-up The Jukebox Man in good style at Aintree subsequently.
Deep ground probably wasn’t ideal at Cheltenham and he’s fancied to turn the tables with Stellar Story.
Mullins also saddles four in the concluding Grade Three Mares’ Bumper but the preference here is for bargain buy Familiar Dreams.
Anthony McCann has had some year with the Postponed mare, who he bought for just £4,000 at the sales a couple of years ago.
She had some solid placed form last year but has really taken it to another level in 2024 with three bumper wins, the latest coming in a Listed contest at Fairyhouse over Easter.
Her front-running style will test her less experienced rivals here.
SELECTIONS
2.30 Maroto
3.05 Blizzard Of Oz
3.40 No Flies On Him
4.15 Dancing City (Nap)
4.50 Jasmin De Vaux
5.25 Galopin Des Champs
6.00 Lets Go Champ
6.35 Familiar Dreams (Dbl)
