Galopin Des Champs poised for Durkan return
Gold Cup favourite heads Punchestown field.
Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs is the star name among eight horses confirmed for the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday. The Grade One-winning hurdler was brilliant in winning three times over fences last season and would have been four from four had he not crashed out at the final fence in the Turners’ Novices’ Chase at the Festival in March. He is a best priced 11-4 to provide trainer Willie Mullins with a third Gold Cup success following the back-to-back wins of Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020 and will be a short price to enhance those claims in a race the champion trainer has won eight times, including in each of the past four years. Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “This has been a lucky race for us in the past.Galopin Des Champs is imperious in the BoyleSports Gold Cup Novice Chase!
He comfortably runs out the winner against some smart rivals for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins 🐎@WillieMullinsNH @PTownend @BoyleSports pic.twitter.com/2HPXofsRkC — FairyhouseRacecourse (@Fairyhouse) April 17, 2022
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