December 28 / 14.25 Leopardstown

14.25

Yielding

Savills Chase (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £91371.68
  • 3m 0f 100y
  • 8 runners
RTE2
View Course
Savills Chase (Grade 1)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1112-3 CD BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 178

Form & Verdict
Had won all six completed starts over fences, including Cheltenham Gold Cup, before being mastered by Fastorslow over 3m at Punchestown in April; jumping was untidy at times when suffering another Punchestown reverse behind Fastorslow in last month's John Durkan; longer trip should be a big help, but the same remark applies equally to Martin Brassil's runner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

Galopin Des Champs

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Deprived of a third Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph by Inothewayurthinkin following a thoroughly satisfactory preparation in the shape of two C&D wins, following the same pattern as the previous seasons, taking in the Savills and this race, which he won for the third time last year; got tired on his reappearance in the Savills this time; should be spot-on now.

13/8

1st

2

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

17:30 Punchestown

Galopin Des Champs

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

made all, clear 3 out, went further clear after 2 out, kept on well, impressive

5/4

9/4

  • Place: £1.02

Form: 1121-1 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 167

Form & Verdict
Won his first three novice chases last season (including two Grade 1s) before getting going a bit too late in the Brown Advisory Chase at Cheltenham; bounced back with an easy win in an Aintree Grade 1 next time; made a perfect start in open company when mastering Envoi Allen and Conflated at Down Royal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Gerri Colombe

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Five Grade 1 wins and runner-up in the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup; reappearance at Christmas came after 421 days off and this season's form is well short of his best, but second to Grangeclare West at Fairyhouse was a big step back in the right direction and he comfortably obliged at odds-on for latest outing; cheekpieces last three starts; well handicapped on his old form and could be on his way back.

25/1

1st

3

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

3m 2f 50y

15:38 Down Royal

Gerri Colombe

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Five Grade 1 wins; runner-up to Galopin Des Champs in the 2024 Gold Cup; defeated at odds-on here in November 2024; absent until pulled up early in the Savills at Christmas; respectable third at Gowran in the Galmoy Hurdle (heavy) in first-time cheekpieces; good effort behind Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo; gets 7lb from Nick Rockett, race-fitness in his favour

11/10

2nd

6

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 2f 0y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Gerri Colombe

11st 0lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time Grade 1 winner was a runner-up behind Galopin Des Champs in the 2024 Gold Cup; defeated at odds-on at Down Royal in November 2024 and didn't reappear for 421 days when pulled up early in the Savills over Christmas; more promise in his third at Gowran in the Galmoy Hurdle (heavy) in first-time cheekpieces, although 18l behind; back over fences now and this is a key test to see if the ability is still there.

14/1

40/1

  • Place: £17.70

Form: 1/3P-6 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Won Grade 1 staying novice chase at the 2022 Punchestown festival; ran only twice last season; no match for stablemates Janidil and Haut En Couleurs in the Red Mills at Gowran; dropped away from two out in the Grand National; poor round of jumping on seasonal debut at Thurles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Capodanno

12st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Neil Mulholland

Capable of smart form for Willie Mullins and landed the Cotswold Chase two years ago; however, badly lacks recent match practice having been absent since finishing third in the Bobbyjo last February; remains with same owner; market may offer further guidance.

14/1

3rd

2

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 1f 165y

15:25 Fairyhouse

Capodanno

11st 8lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, mistake 4 out, pressed leaders 2 out, no extra before last

10/1

Form: 2441-1

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Fourth in two Grade 1 events last season, notably behind The Real Whacker in the Brown Advisory; overcame tendencies to race lazily at times and to jump to the left when landing the 3m5f Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse; put his experience to good use when winning the Drinmore at Fairyhouse on his final novice outing; up against it now in open company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

I Am Maximus

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

His only three long-distance events resulted in an Irish National win in 2023, a storming success in this race in 2024 (soft) and a valiant second, from further off the pace, in repeat bid here in 2025 (good to soft); what a record that is, and 50-1 second in a 3m Grade 1 at Leopardstown on penultimate start gives every encouragement that all his ability remains; the return of cheekpieces (tried once in 2022) is interesting but, off 1lb higher than last year, he should be set for another prominent finish.

7/1

5th

8

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

I Am Maximus

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: W P Mullins

Won the 2023 Irish National and a brilliant winner of the 2024 Grand National; gave a terrific display to split his stablemates Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West at Aintree last season; tailed off in the John Durkan on reappearance; spirited display when keeping on for second in the Savills after being hampered at the last; adds substance to the stable's challenge.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3432-2 C

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Top-class novice hurdler in 2020/21 season; career interrupted before resuming last season with two chase wins against modest opposition; failed to score in four Grade 1 attempts; emerged with reputation enhanced with front-running effort to split Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 66y

15:20 Thurles

Appreciate It

11st 8lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Former top-class novice hurdler still going strong at the veteran stage; beat two shorter-priced stablemates in this race last season; brought down at the 21st in the Grand National; smart form when chasing home stablemate Gaelic Warrior in the Oaksey Chase at Sandown; resumed with second to Affordale Fury here in November; form franked in the Savills.

10/11

2nd

1

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Appreciate It

11st 8lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

11yo who ended a long losing run when beating stablemate Classic Getaway by 6l in Grade 2 at Thurles in January (2m5f, good); brought down ten fences out in the Grand National three weeks ago; it's possible he might run into a place but a few of the others have stronger claims.

16/1

Form: 1/PP3- CD

Last run: 259 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 172

Form & Verdict
Beaten a short head by Galvin in this race two seasons ago as a prelude to 15l victory from stablemate Minella Indo in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup; ran only three times last season, pulled up in the Betfair Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup; found nothing at Aintree on final start; begins new campaign with questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

28th Dec 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 100y

14:25 Leopardstown

A Plus Tard

11st 10lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Beaten a short head by Galvin in this race two seasons ago as a prelude to 15l victory from stablemate Minella Indo in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup; ran only three times last season, pulled up in the Betfair Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup; found nothing at Aintree on final start; begins new campaign with questions to answer.

14/1

3rd

2

13th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

A Plus Tard

11st 10lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has a question to answer having been pulled up in both outings this term, although had no luck (badly hampered after six out, unable to recover) in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on latest; highly impressive in that race and the Betfair Chase last season, both on good to soft; would have the best chance if surging back to that form.

5/2

2

17th Mar 2023

Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

A Plus Tard

11st 10lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Two brilliant wins at this meeting, notably surpassing a second in this race in 2021 when tearing up the hill last March (good to soft; acts well on soft) for one of the best Gold Cup performances in recent times; seen only once since, when returning a sick horse from his first-ever off day at Haydock in November, and although recent reports are encouraging it would be pretty special if he can produce the same performance as 12 months ago after such a poor preparation.

9/2

Form: 2221-U D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Won 3m Grade 2 Ten Up Novice at Navan in February, a suitable reward after a sequence of seconds; unseated rider at second on seasonal debut at Punchestown; lowest-rated of 11 runners here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 50y

14:30 Navan

Churchstonewarrior

11st 12lb

J: Mr Derek O’Connor

T: Cian Collins

1-9 over fences; that win came in C&D Grade 2 novice in February 2023; failed to complete the course in three chase attempts last season; got a confidence-boosting run on stable debut at Tramore in August; long-priced fourth in the Kerry National; big burden now.

14/1

1

17th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 50y

14:30 Navan

Churchstonewarrior

11st 12lb

J: Mr Derek O’Connor

T: Cian Collins

1-9 over fences; that win came in C&D Grade 2 novice in February 2023; failed to complete the course in three chase attempts last season; got a confidence-boosting run on stable debut at Tramore in August; long-priced fourth in the Kerry National; big burden now.

14/1

6

25th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

16:20 Listowel

Churchstonewarrior

11st 1lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Cian Collins

Is 1-8 over fences; that win came in a 3m Grade 2 Novice at Navan in February 2023; failed to complete the course in three chase attempts last season; got a confidence-boosting run on stable debut at Tramore last month; now 8lb better off with runner-up Zanahiyr; first-time cheekpieces.

16/1

Form: 13P-53 CD

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 164

Form & Verdict
Beat Minella Indo in the 2022 Irish Gold Cup and won this event 12 months ago; third in Cheltenham Gold Cup before ending the season on a low note at Aintree; tame effort on return at Punchestown and needs to reverse Down Royal form with stablemate Gerri Colombe and Envoi Allen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

16

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Conflated

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

Finished third in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup; showed some spark around Punchestown's banks course this February but this 12yo is nothing like the force of old and was well beaten in the cross-country race at Cheltenham last month; without a win since December 2022 and looks up against it.

66/1

9th

5

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Conflated

10st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Top class over regulation fences in his prime (dual 3m Grade 1 winner) but has regressed and become inconsistent; gave a pretty good account when placed behind Vanillier on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy; refitted cheekpieces/first-time tongue-tie) last month but was well beaten on his only C&D start (in 2024); younger rivals appeal much more.

25/1

3rd

6

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 193y

12:28 Punchestown

Conflated

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

High-class in his day, winning a brace of Grade 1 Leopardstown contests at 3m; not at that level nowadays, including fourth in C&D cross-country chase at last year's festival; runner-up on latest two runs in point-to-points, most recently at Tyrella 11 days ago; new headgear combination; Jack Kennedy prefers The Goffer.

7/2

Non-runners

Envoi Allen, Fastorslow, Janidil

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €4.30
Straight Forecast €4.87
Tricast €128.96
Trifecta €88.40

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Galopin Des Champs

SPOTLIGHT:

Gerri Colombe

TOPSPEED:

Galopin Des Champs

POSTDATA:

Galopin Des Champs

The Irish Sun:

Galopin Des Champs