3.35 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m 70yds

Conflated: Dual Grade 1 winner at this track possibly paid the price for trying to keep tabs with Galopin Des Champs here in the Savills when giving a tired jump at the last and unseating. He also deserves credit for racing on the inside part of the track. That all said, he has a huge amount to find with the winner, who needs to underperform if he is to have a chance.

Fastorslow: Unlucky to bump into subsequent Grand National winner in the Ultima at Cheltenham but more than did his bit for the form since when upsetting the Gold Cup one-two in Punchestown Gold Cup and beating Galopin Des Champs again in the John Durkan, despite being easy to back in the betting on his seasonal debut. Late non runner in the Savills but will belatedly take on Galopin Des Champs again, but while he has lots of scope to improve further coming back to this trip, he hasn’t met this version of Galopin Des Champs on their last two meetings.

Galopin Des Champs: Quashed all talk that last season’s Gold Cup had taken the edge off him with sublime performance to win the Savills Chase here at Christmas - 23 lengths too good for Gerri Colombe with the third, stablemate Capodanno, even boosting the form since with Cheltenham win last week. Four from four over fences at Leopardstown and while a Gold Cup defence is likely his main aim, it’s also likely his trainer felt he couldn’t leave this one behind.

I Am Maximus: Irish Grand National winner took advantage of early season novice status to win Drinmore at Fairyhouse, seeing out that two-and-a-half-mile trip strongly in the soft ground conditions. Step back in trip would have suited him in the Savills but was outclassed there and so has plenty to prove at open Grade 1 level now.

Conclusion:

Fastorslow has a likeable profile and will have his supporters to make it three on the bounce against Galopin Des Champs, but if the Gold Cup winner is anything like he was here in the Savills Chase, he will win easily.