December 28 / 14.35 Leopardstown

14.35

Good To Yielding

Savills Chase (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £89782.61
  • 3m 0f 100y
  • 9 runners
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Savills Chase (Grade 1)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

11/10 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.02

Form: 1112-3 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 177

Form & Verdict
Brilliant winner of the last two Cheltenham Gold Cups; winner of five of his six races at this venue, including this race last season, and the Irish Gold Cup twice; has proved vulnerable at Punchestown where his record is 2-6; led from seventh fence until the last before fading into third behind Fact To File on seasonal debut in the John Durkan.
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

11/8

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2111-1 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 169

Form & Verdict
Point and bumper winner; three from four in last season's novice chase campaign, culminating with a fine performance in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham; made a spectacular entry to the senior ranks when beating Spillane's Tower in the John Durkan, with Galopin Des Champs relegated to third.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

18:05 Punchestown

Fact To File

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

2024 Brown Advisory winner, 2025 Ryanair winner; won the 2024 John Durkan at this venue, had a hard race when narrowly beaten by Gaelic Warrior in this season's repeat bid; failed to do himself justice in the King George; back to best when readily beating Gaelic Warrior and Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup; fascinating rematch now after bypassing Ryanair.

5/4

1st

3

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

Fact To File

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

Four Grade 1 wins, including the 2024 Brown Advisory, and last season's Ryanair; narrowly denied by Gaelic Warrior in the John Durkan Memorial Chase; raced keenly and never looked like imposing his presence in the King George; three-time course winner, just lost second to Grangeclare West here 12 months ago; capable of matching that effort if on back on song.

8/1

12/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: 21P54- C

Last run: 241 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Beat I Am Maximus on his chasing debut here two years ago, and beat Bravemansgame (gave 6lb) by roughly 2l when winning the Grade 2 Charlie Hall at Wetherby last season on just his third chase start; found wanting in three subsequent Grade 1 attempts, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Gentlemansgame

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: M F Morris

Has some good efforts at about 3m1f in his record but he was pulled up in last year's Gold Cup (25-1) and, after finishing a respectable third to Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown after Christmas, he wasn't at his best in a Grade 2 here last time out; his form needs an upgrade and others look better equipped for the stamina test; has been tongue tied or worn cheekpieces in recent starts, no aids today.

66/1

3rd

1

25th Jan 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Gentlemansgame

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: M F Morris

raced in third, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 15th, not fluent 5 out, weakened 2 out

3/1

3rd

1

25th Jan 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Gentlemansgame

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: M F Morris

raced in third, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 15th, not fluent 5 out, weakened 2 out

3/1

Form: 213-12 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Left clear at last to win valuable 2m5f Leopardstown Chase here in February; ended season with third behind Inothewayurthinkin at Aintree in April; beat Corbetts Cross readily over 2m7f at Wexford on reappearance; lost out narrowly in the Drinmore.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Heart Wood

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

8yo who made his Grade 1 breakthrough in the Ryanair at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month; that 10l victory was a career-best performance and he will be tough to beat if reproducing the same scintillating form today; ran well in the Mildmay at this meeting in 2024 on sole run here.

11/8

1st

4

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Heart Wood

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has yet to win at above Grade 3 level although he only just failed against Croke Park in a less competitive Grade 1 than this at Fairyhouse (2m4f, yielding) in December 2024; he enjoyed his front-running role when winning at Tramore (2m7f, soft) in January when never seriously challenged and it's likely he will be ridden more prominently today than when no match for Fact To File in this race (good to soft) last March; he will still do well to fend off that winner but another place is perfectly achievable.

10/1

4

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 39y

16:05 Punchestown

Heart Wood

11st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Beat Corbetts Cross readily in a three-runner event at Wexford (2m7f, soft) on reappearance last October; just denied by Croke Park in the Drinmore; faded into fourth in Savills Chase at Leopardstown; enhanced his reputation with a fine second to Fact To File in the Ryanair; pulled a shoe when flopping at Fairyhouse at Easter; can go well when fresh; big chance at these weights.

11/8

Form: 3911-7 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Progressive staying novice last season; bolted up in the Kim Muir and coped admirably with the rise in class when beating Iroko in the Mildmay at Aintree; never in the hunt over a trip short of his best on reappearance in the John Durkan.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

18:05 Punchestown

Inothewayurthinkin

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner last year; no sign of best form on his first three runs this term; repeated previous Cheltenham trend of leaving winter form behind to finish third in the Gold Cup, despite not jumping particularly well; 0-4 at this venue and was trounced by Gaelic Warrior here as a novice; will need to catch the big two on an off-day.

8/1

3rd

7

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Inothewayurthinkin

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Disappointing on his three runs this term and a major turnaround is required; however, he's left his winter form behind to win at the Cheltenham Festival in each of the last two seasons (soft/good to soft), including this race last year by 6l, and he attracted market support last week; cheekpieces go on and he'll be tough to beat if rediscovering his brilliant best.

7/1

9

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

Inothewayurthinkin

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner; had failed to test Galopin Des Champs in two C&D clashes before justifying his supplementary entry by denying the Mullins-trained star a Gold Cup hat-trick; found the trip inadequate in the John Durkan; stable's relatively poor form at the time offers a partial excuse for a lifeless run in the Savills; plenty to prove all the same.

10/1

Form: 1/11-P CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Won 3m Grade 1 novice chase here last Christmas after defeating Heart Wood at Naas; did not appear again until pulled up in the John Durkan on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

18:05 Punchestown

Grangeclare West

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Excellent third in last season's Grand National; set tough tasks in Grade 1s this season before dropped in class to beat Gerri Colombe in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse; unseated at the first when 9-1 for the Grand National; stable's third string now.

14/1

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Grangeclare West

11st 10lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Excellent 3l third in last year's renewal, somehow renewing his effort after diving at the final fence cost him plenty of momentum; creditable fifth at Sandown just three weeks later and surging clear from Gerri Colombe at Fairyhouse this February, after another last-fence dive, showed that he's at least as good as ever; 3lb higher than 12 months ago but lots to like.

9/1

1st

7

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 2f 0y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Grangeclare West

11st 0lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Excellent third in the Grand National last season, rallying well after a mistake at the last; poor seasonal return in the John Durkan but his 6.25l fourth behind Affordale Fury in the Savills was much better; tailed off in the Irish Gold Cup last time; it's interesting that Townend chooses him and he's well suited by the weightings; however, his best form is on better ground.

3/1

Form: 26-U58 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 163

Form & Verdict
Top-class chaser at his peak; two 3m Grade 1 wins to his name, including defeat of Kemboy in this event two seasons ago; had jumping issues last season (unseated twice at this venue, including in this race; managed a fair second to Jonbon at Aintree in April; little apparent chance on recent form; poor over Cheltenham cross-country course on latest.
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

Form: 3631-5 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Solid novice last season; proved highly effective over extreme distances, third in the Irish Grand National before winning the 3m5f bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown; returns to a more suitable trip after contesting the John Durkan on his seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Minella Cocooner

11st 1lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Delivered late to win this race on good ground last year by a neck, 26 days after his third in a heavy-ground Irish National; he shaped as if back to his best in the Grand National three weeks ago, travelling well to dispute the lead two out but ending up seventh as the 4m2f took its toll; this trip is presumably the ideal fit and, although 4lb higher than last year, a big run should be forthcoming if Aintree has not taken it out of him.

7/1

9th

2

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Minella Cocooner

11st 1lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Delivered late to win this race on good ground last year by a neck, 26 days after his third in a heavy-ground Irish National; he shaped as if back to his best in the Grand National three weeks ago, travelling well to dispute the lead two out but ending up seventh as the 4m2f took its toll; this trip is presumably the ideal fit and, although 4lb higher than last year, a big run should be forthcoming if Aintree has not taken it out of him.

7/1

7th

8

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Minella Cocooner

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: W P Mullins

Third to Intense Raffles in the Irish National (3m5f, heavy) and delivered late to win the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (extended 3m4f, good; 6lb higher today) later last April; Grade 1 rivals proved far too hot for him this season and he failed to trouble Nick Rockett and Intense Raffles at Fairyhouse on latest outing, but he looks a far more interesting prospect for today's assignment and this could be when he wins again.

12/1

Form: 14311- D

Last run: 259 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 169

Form & Verdict
2023 Irish Grand National winner; began last season with Grade 1 in the Drinmore; remote fourth behind Galopin Des Champs in this race, and well beaten in third behind same rival in Irish Gold Cup; won the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse in fine style as a prelude to Grand National triumph.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €2.40
Straight Forecast €2.61
Tricast €17.31
Trifecta €17.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Galopin Des Champs

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Galopin Des Champs

TOPSPEED:

Galopin Des Champs

POSTDATA:

Galopin Des Champs

The Irish Sun:

Galopin Des Champs