CHAMPAGNE West put up a scintillating performance to win the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on Thursday.

It was a big help that David Mullins was able to kick him out of the gate and get him settled in front by the time they reached the first turn. The Thyestes is a race in which, generally, you don’t want to be too far back, unless they go bananas up front. That said, such was the magnitude of Henry de Bromhead’s horse’s superiority on the day, he probably would have won regardless of where he had settled in the field.

He travelled supremely well in front throughout and, with the exception of the heart-in-mouth fourth last fence, his jumping was brilliant. One, two, up. Metronomic.

He coasted to an easy win, with the field strung out behind him, and the winning time was very good.

It was ample compensation for his owner, trainer and rider (Roger Brookhouse, Henry de Bromhead, David Mullins) after Stellar Notion’s agonising defeat in the Leopardstown Chase on Sunday.

Gold Cup talk for Champagne West is not outlandish. The Westerner gelding won the Thyestes Chase easily off a mark of 154.

On His Own won the Thyestes (his second) off a mark of 142, then won the Bobbyjo Chase and was beaten a short-head in the Gold Cup. Djakadam won the Thyestes off a mark of 145, then finished second in the Gold Cup.

There is precedent.

Thought for the week

IF the Leopardstown races were moved forward by 10 minutes tomorrow, they would clash with Fontwell, and that would not be good.