Galopin Des Champs proved himself to be as good as ever with a tremendous success in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.
Willie Mullins’ eight-year-old – winner of the past two renewals of the Cheltenham Gold Cup – also took this Grade One last season and lined up unbeaten over fences at the Dublin track.
He was the 5-6 favourite under Paul Townend, but had stablemate Fact To File to contend with after being beaten by him when finishing third in the John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown.
Galopin Des Champs made all of the running and set out his stall early, and although Fact To File did give chase in the latter stages he could do little to prevent the winner from crossing the line a power-packed seven and a half lengths ahead.