The mood at Willie Mullins’ stable was notably subdued on the morning of December 28, 2024, following a modest start to the Christmas racing program, with only three winners from 47 runners. However, the atmosphere brightened dramatically later in the day after a Grade One double, which included a sensational performance by the stable’s star chaser, Galopin Des Champs.
The eight-year-old, who has dominated the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the past two seasons, lined up for the Savills Chase at Leopardstown as one of the joint-favorites for the upcoming Gold Cup in March. Alongside him in the betting was Fact To File, a stablemate and a rising star among second-season chasers. Galopin Des Champs had suffered a setback earlier in the season, finishing behind Fact To File at Punchestown in November, but his return to Leopardstown for the Savills Chase proved a different story.
Ridden by Paul Townend, Galopin Des Champs quickly took the lead in the 3-mile race, with Fact To File a few lengths behind in the chasing pack. Although Fact To File remained competitive and was still in contention approaching the final two fences, Galopin Des Champs surged ahead when asked by Townend, leaving his rival behind with an electrifying jump at the last. The result was a dominant seven-and-a-half-length victory, with Galopin Des Champs continuing to pull clear all the way to the line.
Mullins was effusive in his praise, calling the performance one of the best he had ever seen at Leopardstown. He also suggested that the horse could still be improving, which bodes well for his bid for a third consecutive Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The victory saw Galopin Des Champs’ odds for the Gold Cup shorten to clear favorite at around 6-4, while Fact To File drifted to 4-1 for the Gold Cup and 8-1 for the Ryanair Chase.
Mullins’ Grade One double was completed by Impaire Et Passe, who won the Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick. Following the victory, jockey Daryl Jacob announced that he would retire after Sunday’s race at Leopardstown. Jacob, 41, said it was the right time to step away from race-riding, especially after his success in the Grade One event with Impaire Et Passe.
Meanwhile, at Newbury, Dan Skelton’s The New Lion emerged as an impressive winner of the Grade One Challow Hurdle. The 9-4 favorite cruised to a nearly five-length victory over Wendigo, with Harry Skelton easing him home under a hand ride. The New Lion is now expected to head straight to the Turners Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham, with his odds for the race shortening to 3-1 from 16-1, as he looks to break a streak of Irish-trained winners in the event since 2017.
