Sport

Galopin Des Champs lead Mullins charge as trainer looks to repeat 2022 success at Dublin Festival of Racing at Leopardstown

Galopin Des Champs is the star name among the seven runners declared for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday
Galopin Des Champs is the star name among the seven runners declared for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday

WILLIE Mullins saddled a four-timer on the first day of the Dublin Racing festival 12 months ago and it would be no surprise if he could repeat the dose this year.

The champion trainer has unbelievable depth in his Closutton string and is mob-handed in three of the Grade One contests on the card.

Galopin Des Champs looks hard to oppose in the featured Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup and will go to post a skinny price in the €250,000 event.

The seven-year-old is a real emerging star in national hunt racing and can solidify his position at the head of the betting for the Gold Cup next month.

His only defeat over fences came at Cheltenham last year when he was clear in the 'Turners' only to slip at the back of the last and crash out.

He has been faultless bar that one mishap and was a cosy winner on his return at Punchestown last month in the John Durkan.

This is his first attempt at three miles over fences but that doesn't look an issue as he has already won at the trip at the highest level over timber.

The Timos gelding is a real joy to watch over fences and hopefully he can put on a big display to light up the first day of the meeting.

Mullins saddles four of the seven runners in the race and stablemate Stattler looks the one most likely to chase him home.

The champion trainer is responsible for all but two of the runners in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle and Lossiemouth looks set to be another short priced favourite.

She has been brilliant on her two starts since coming from France and was a cosy winner in Grade 2 company here over Christmas.

Stablemate Gala Marceau chased her home then and could be the one to fill the runner-up spot again.

Mullins has half the field in the Irish Arkle and the classy Appreciate It can prove best of his quartet.

The Jeremy gelding has had a couple of schooling sessions on his two starts over fences to date and it will be interesting to see him challenged a bit more now.

Last season's wide margin Supreme Novice winner is a very talented animal and could be a cut above his rivals, which are a decent enough bunch.

Paul Townend will obviously be keen to keep tabs on stablemate Dysart Dynamo who will more than likely cut out the running.

Townend deserts Grangeclare West in the opening Nathaniel Lacy Novice Hurdle but it may pay to give him another chance.

He clearly wasn't right at Naas last month when cutting out quickly in the Lawlors Novice Hurdle.

The son of Presenting had shown a serious engine in his previous runs and was very good when winning on his hurdling debut at Navan.

As a former point-to-pointer he should have no problem stepping up to two-miles-six now and it would be nice to see him bounce back and confirm that early promise.

The winners' bumper at Leopardstown over Christmas looked one of the strongest of those races held this season and the fact that Fascile Mode was able to win it on his debut was pretty impressive.

Tom Mullins still has the Walk In The Park gelding, despite plenty of buzz about him being sold afterwards, and it would be great for him if he could step up now and land a Grade 2 prize.

He looked like he would improve from his initial effort when he was doing his best work at the finish.

1.20 Grangeclare West - Good Land

1.55 Lossiemouth - Gala Marceau

2.30 Appreciate It (nap) - Dysart Dynamo

3.05 Galopin Des Champs - Stattler

3.40 Maxxum - Lucky Max

4.10 Get My Drift - Rebel Gold

4.40 Fascile Mode (dbl) - Chosen Witness