Big two catch the eye but lots of gold in the showpiece

Galopin Des Champs went through his novice hurdle season looking a good horse - big, backward, more to come. Willie has plenty of those. It wasn't until the concluding effort of that campaign at Punchestown, where a 12-length gap to Gentlemansgame planted a seed that this one might be a little different.

If that season left any question of his talent, his chasing debut answered definitively. He put in a performance that left spectators with jaws on the floor, having to pick them back up before asking 'what have we just seen'.

That March in the Turners he swings for home, sticking his head forward and low with a tilt to the side, grabbing the bit hard, a powerhouse, a giant, now knowing what the game is all about, he's seen this hill before, he's eaten it and is about to chow down once more.

Draws well clear of Bob Olinger with just the last to clear, meeting it on a long but nice stride, he lifts in front and powers from behind.

"And he's over safely... oh no, he's not, he knuckles on landing and he is down", he hasn't touched the fence but topples over, like the commentator, the crowd think their banker has won.

A deep chorused, punched gut groan comes from the stands, jaws back on the floor. The only knuckle on an otherwise perfect year.

Last season starts with easy wins in the John Durkan and makes light work of the Irish Gold Cup on first attempt at three miles. On to this day last year for a career-defining moment. This is a step up in trip once more and stamina is not a given.

Paul Townend drops towards the rear of the field but it's not plain sailing, he rubs a few along the way, not jumping with his normal fluency. Approaching three out, five have drawn clear, Townend tags on to the back of these, all still with a