Affordale Fury wins Savills Chase at Leopardstown

County Down owner Philip Polly won the first Grade One stakes in a thrilling Savills Chase on Sunday at Leopardstown thanks to Affordale Fury.

The seven-year-old, who was Noel Meade’s trainer, started and successfully completed the three-mile race.

A rematch of the Cheltenham Gold Cup match, which Inothewayurthinkin denied to Galopin Des Champs for a third consecutive victory, was the focus of the pre-race narrative.

Instead, those in red and black gathered to cheer as Sam Ewing led Affordale Fury (7-1) to a decisive victory.

What a week it’s been, Polly exclaimed to RTE Sport, “I can’t believe it.”

“We won the Bumper on Boxing Day, and now we’ve rocked and won the Savills.”

As Affordale Fury stepped out in front of a crowded field, Champ Kiely was an early faller on the flat.

When favorite Galopin Des Champs made a move, the field remained open until the final two hurdles.

The Willie Mullins-trained favorite was forced to settle for third, where Affordale Fury won with a 50-point lead over 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus.

Ewing’s stellar two days came to an end thanks to Favori De Champdou and Solness’ efforts to win in the Grade One on Saturday.

Going into the first and seeing where we landed, Ewing said, “I wanted to be positive and good.”

Second favorite Teahupo (5-2), who won the Christmas Hurdle, defeated Bob Olinger (11-1) at their March meeting in Cheltenham.

Gordon Elliott, who won two big victories at Leopardstown on Saturday, came away with yet another Grade One triumph.

Rocky’s Diamond opened a gap on Ballyburn’s chasing pack before the second hurdle, when Teahupo, ridden by Jack Kennedy, jumped into the lead.

Bob Olinger, a challenge from Henry de Bromhead, was in charge, with race favorite Ballyburn (13-8) coming in third.

He performed fairly well when we jumped at the front at the last second and I put him on the straight, according to Kennedy.