Dublin Racing Festival: Willie Mullins bullish over Galopin Des Champs' prospects

Galopin Des Champs is a red-hot favourite to enhance his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims with victory in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was sent off a 100-1 no-hoper over an inadequate trip at the Dublin Racing Festival two years ago.

Since then his only blemish has been in last season's Turners Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham when he was in the process of handing out a wide-margin beating to Bob Olinger only to slip on landing after the last.

He made amends at Fairyhouse in April and began this campaign with an easy win in the John Durkan at Punchestown. However, despite having a Grade One win in his hurdling days over three miles, this will be his first time over the trip when tackling fences.

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"He handled Leopardstown very well last year, which is why I don’t have much trouble going back there. He is a big horse, but when he handled the track there last year I’m happy to go back," said Mullins.

"He does things in his races so easy, except for his little blip in Cheltenham last year where he slipped on landing.

"He’s never been over this trip over fences, but he has over hurdles and I was never really worried about his stamina. He always showed a nice turn of foot and we’ll find out, but I think he shouldn’t have any problem with it."

The champion trainer also runs Franco De Port, Leopardstown regular and 2021 winner of the race Kemboy and Stattler, winner of the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham who will be