Dominant in the Durkan, Champs targets Cheltenham

Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs had his odds further cut for Cheltenham glory today, following an impressive reappearance win in Punchestown's rescheduled Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase.

Initially scheduled for December 11 but postponed until today due to a frozen track, six runners contested the 2m4f race. Included were four-time Grade 1 winner Fakir D'oudairies and Galopin Des Champs, last season's best novice chaser, who started 2/9 favourite. Lifetime Ambition led for much of the race but once Galopin Des Champs, under Paul Townend, took over entering the home straight, Fakir D'oudairies couldn't match the winner's pace.

Galopin Des Champs was pushed along and eased clear after the second-last, winning impressively and on-the-bridle, by 13 lengths from 165-rated Fakir D'oudairies.

Delighted winning trainer Willie Mullins later said “he was more relaxed and settled well. I was delighted when he came past the winning post the first time around there was a loop in the reins. When Paul wanted a big jump he gave it to him and when he went in close he was able to do that. There was a lot of positives to take out of today.

“To go away from a four-time Grade 1 winner (Fakid D'oudairies) over that trip was very good. It looks like he’ll be able to play in the senior ranks and I’m looking forward to his next run. We thought there would be a front-runner and we were happy enough to tuck in behind that front-runner. You always want to be teaching him.

“I’ve no plan at the moment where he will run next but he will have another run before Cheltenham. He is a Gold Cup horse and is going for the Gold Cup bar something goes wrong.”

Townend said: “He’s so slick over his fences, he’s learning and going up. At the start of last year he was rushing and letting fly at his fences, but he did everything professional today.

“On the first circuit there was a loop in the rein and he was doing everything right and it’s brilliant to see him being so professional now.

“I wanted a lead today if I could and then I just wanted to keep it simple on him. He gives you some feel and it’s brilliant they got the meeting on.”

Bookmakers cut Galopin Des Champs' odds in unison for Cheltenham's Gold Cup, making Audrey Turley's six year old a 7/4 chance (from 5/2) for the March showpiece race.

The win was trainer Mullins' ninth success in the top-level race.

Quotes from Alan Magee