03 February 2024 , 18:22
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Galopin Des Champs is on the cusp of becoming a Cheltenham Festival legend after he headlined a 713-1 Willie Mullins four-timer at Leopardstown.
Ireland's top trainer and his dominant horse of its staying division Iived up to the Dublin Racing Festival hype – and are on-course to write their names into history in March.
Galopin Des Champs, 4-6 (from evens) to take a second Boodles Gold Cup crown at Gloucestershire's biggest sporting event, completed a clean sweep of Grade One races for Mullins.
"He was the big bullet and he hit the bullseye," said Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup-winning jockey Paul Townend. "When I gave him a squeeze at a fence he took them on well. He's as good as he was last year."
Stalked by old rival Fastorslow, chasing titan Galopin Des Champs shook him off up the run-in by an authoritative four-and-a-half lengths. The triumph propelled him to become one of the shortest-priced horses for next month's flagship National Hunt meeting in ante-post lists.
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Only eight thoroughbreds have scooped Cheltenham's feature contest more than once – Al Boum Photo the most recent recipient of Mullins-inspired greatness in 2019 and 2020.
Townend, his go-to-rider, was out of luck on his other mounts, as the handler's nephew Danny raced to a 535-1 treble.
It was three on the day for jockey Danny Mullins (©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)The Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase was expected to be a penalty kick for Marine Nationale, but Barry Connell's hot favourite had a rare off day and opened the door for Il Etait Temps (6-1).
Danny Mullins earlier exceeded market expectations on 16-1 chance Dancing City in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle, followed swiftly by Kargese's (7-2) McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile success.
Madara, the only British-trained runner on the card, rose to his Listed Ryanair Handicap Chase challenge for Gloucestershire-based Sophie Leech.