Galopin Des Champs© Photo Healy Racing
Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow are among 11 confirmations for Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown.
Ireland’s two best staying chasers are building up a real rivalry, having met six times in all with the score currently tied with each coming out on top three times.
That includes when Fastorslow unseated in the Gold Cup in March and when he finished in front of Galopin Des Champs in this race 12 months ago, although they were split by Appreciate It in second on that occasion.
With J J Slevin injured, top amateur Derek O’Connor will ride Fastorslow for Martin Brassil, while Galopin Des Champs is one of six left in by Willie Mullins.
The others in contention for the Closutton trainer are Blue Lord, Capodanno, who was supplemented for the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Monday, Fact To File, Grangeclare West and Minella Cocooner.
Owner JP McManus holds a strong hand because as well as Fact To File, who was so impressive in winning the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, he also has the Jimmy Mangan-trained Spillane’s Tower, winner of two Grade Ones last term.
The famous McManus silks could also be sported by Gavin Cromwell’s pair of Inothewayurthinkin and Limerick Lace, while Henry de Bromhead has left in Journey With Me in the Robcour colours.
Paddy Power make Fact To File their 6-4 favourite, with Fastorslow 9-4 and Galopin Des Champs 7-2.
