‘Ole, ole, ole’ – Crowd hail Galopin Des Champs treble

For the third year in a row, Galopin Des Champs won the Irish Gold Cup in Leopardstown.

The 1-2 favourite, ridden by Paul Townend, comfortably saw off the challenge of eventual third Fact To File, while Grangeclare West grabbed second in a one-two-three for trainer Willie Mullins.

Strains of ‘ Ole, Ole, Ole ‘ broke out in the crowd to salute the treble winner.

“Something that never before happened to me, when we were jumping the last ditch, I could feel and hear the roar from the stands”, said Townend.

He jumped and galloped three miles without it appearing to stop as he approached the winning post, according to Mullins. He’s just a real champion.

” He’s the best chaser I’ve trained and Hurricane Fly the best hurdler. “

Following a third consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph in March, Galopin Des Champs is now 4th overall.

He is one shy of Florida Pearl’s record four victories, both trained by Mullins, and Jodami and Beef Or Salmon, who both won the Irish Gold Cup.

His 11th career victory over fences and seventh at Leopardstown came with a victory for Galopin Des Champs on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival.

Another Grade One winner for Mullins was Majborough, who defeated the Irish Arkle to advance to a meeting with Sir Gino from Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino in Cheltenham last year.