Having claimed the 2023 and 2024 editions of both this race and the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Willie Mullins-trained superstar Galopin Des Champs was the clear headline act in 2025. Following a back-to-form win in the Savills Chase at this track in December, the mount of Paul Townend was the horse they all had to beat.
The main challenger to the favourite came from within his own yard, with the eight-year-old Fact To File the only other horse available to back at a single figure price. Having conquered Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan Memorial Chase, hopes were high that he could be the next name atop the stayer’s division. However, he had no answers to Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase and needed to prove he could compete with the champ over this three-mile trip. Grand National hero I Am Maximus headed the other four Mullins entries but looked up against it in Grade 1 company over this distance.
Moving away from the Closutton operation, Gordon Elliott saddled the 2022 winner Conflated, Henry De Bromhead relied on the promising Monty’s Star, Gavin Cromwell sent National Chase hero Inothewayurthinkin into battle, and the 2023 King George champ, Hewick, represented Miss Tara Lee Cogan due to the suspension of Shark Hanlon.
Result
- 1st – Galopin Des Champs 1/2F, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Wilie Mullins
- 2nd – Grangeclare West 66/1, Jockey: Brian Hayes, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 3rd – Fact To File 100/30, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – €140,000
- 2nd – €47,500
- 3rd – €22,500
- 4th – €10,000
- 5th – €5,000
- 6th – €2,500
- 7th – €1,250
- 8th – €1,250
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – €1.50
- Tote Places – 1st – €1.10, 2nd – €7.90, 3rd – €1.10
- Exacta – €39
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – €56.77
- Trifecta – €81.34
- Tricast – €177.20
Recap
When the flag came down, Paul Townend and Galopin Des Champs quickly moved to the head of affairs, flanked by stablemate Embassy Gardens on the outside and Hewick to the inner. Conflated was also prominent as he moved wide to get a clear sight of his fences, with second favourite Fact To File amongst those held up off the pace.
There was little change in the order over the first three obstacles. At the fourth, Galopin Des Champs claimed the clear lead for the first time, with Paul Townend no doubt keen to make full use of his proven stamina. Embassy Gardens held second, with Monty’s Star moving up to challenge Hewick for third. Most of the field appeared to travel well, bar I Am Maximus, who found the early pace a little too hot to handle.
Turning into the home straight for the first time, Galopin Des Champs was moving ominously well – soaring over his fences in effortless style. Monty’s Star sat just off the leader, but Conflated had lost his prominent early position. Fact To File still appeared comfortable in mid-pack, with I Am Maximus continuing to cling onto the coattails of the main group.
Most of the field had managed to remain in touch with Galopin Des Champs for one circuit. Doing so for a second proved to be a much harder task. Despite barely seeming to be out of first gear, the pace set by the relentless leader began to take its toll on those in behind.
Over the fourth last, Conflated, Minella Cocooner and I Am Maximus were all under pressure. The exertions of keeping tabs on the favourite saw Embassy Gardens and Monty’s Star begin to crack on the home bend. If there was to be a challenge to the long-time leader, it appeared most likely to come from Fact To File, who had begun to move through weakening rivals.
The mount of Mark Walsh threw down the gauntlet when moving to within a length of Galopin Des Champs over the last. However, just as in the Savills Chase, the classiest chaser in the business simply found another gear and kicked clear for a magnificent success by just shy of five lengths. Grangeclare West plodded on dourly to grab second on the line from a tiring Fact To File.
A fantastic 1-2-3 for Willie Mullins, who claimed this race for a record-extending 14th time. It was Irish Gold Cup win number three for Paul Townend, with all three of those victories coming aboard the sensational Galopin Des Champs.
Runners
- 1. Conflated – SP: 150/1, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Sam Ewing
- 2. Embassy Gardens – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Michael O’Sullivan
- 3. Fact To File – SP: 100/30, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Mark Walsh
- 4. Galopin Des Champs – SP: 1/2F, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend
- 5. Grangeclare West – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Brian Hayes
- 6. Hewick – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Miss Tara Lee Cogan, Jockey: Jordan Gainford
- 7. I Am Maximus – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Jody McGarvey
- 8. Inothewayurthinkin – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Jockey: Keith Donoghue
- 9. Minella Cocooner – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Danny Mullins
- 10. Monty’s Star – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Non Runners
All Ran