RUTHLESS, relentless and returning with a vengeance. That was the message that Galopin Des Champs hammered home to his rivals in a 22-length Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup rout - the chasing great’s first win in the race at the third attempt and a statement victory after seeing his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown slip 47 days earlier.

In truth, this was probably one of the simplest victories Galopin Des Champs has ever recorded in open Grade 1 company. Neither Spillane’s Tower, Banbridge or Monty’s Star ever really threatened to apply any pace pressure to him, and Paul Townend lapped up the opportunity to build a rhythm in front - a rhythm that was by no means as metronomic in the Cotswolds last time.

Spillane’s Tower, sent off an easy-to-back 4/1 behind the 5/6 favourite, ended up getting well off the pace once the champion jockey began to raise the tempo down the back, and mistakes at the fourth and third last fences came at the worst possible time for Jimmy Mangan’s dual Grade 1 winner.

From long before even the top of the straight, there was an inevitability that Willie Mullins had worked his magic to get the old Galopin Des Champs back on song. He would avoid a fifth straight defeat at Punchestown. The all-conquering nine-year-old was bold at the last, but it was a most comprehensive display from the front that saw him trimmed to 5/1 (from 7/1) to regain his Cheltenham crown next spring.

Audrey Turley’s pride and joy received a monstrous reception from the Punchestown faithful, whose thoughts upon heading for the exits will be of another clash next term with Wednesday’s absentee Inothewayurthinkin.

“He was back to his best and Paul showed him off today. He has to be one of the best chasers we've ever had,” said Mullins, after achieving something he never managed with his previous dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo, who was 0-3 in the Punchestown equivalent.

“His jumping was fantastic, he was at his ease, and Paul was just full of confidence on him. To me, winning that race by 22 lengths is awesome. Paul said he wasn't taking no for an answer at any stage, he was going to put them to the sword and he did.

“I thought he was more at home today. I was a little bit worried about the heat and the weather, I'd imagine the other trainers were too. You could see from the start he was enjoying himself - there was a spark in him from jumping out the gate. I think he even had a look at the road, or the gate or something, heading out on his last circuit. Paul said to me when he was able to do that he felt because he was only playing in front.”

Even after this tremendous display, capping a season that featured sublime wins in the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup for Galopin Des Champs, Inothewayurthinkin remains the 4/1 favourite for next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"Good horses deserve to run in good races, and good races deserve to have the good horses - as do big meetings like Punchestown, there are none bigger at this stage of the season,” Mullins added.

"We’ve got to have the best horses participating. Cheltenham was Cheltenham and we were beaten, but horses get beaten. At least he's come back and proved that he's a real good horse. There is always next year - he's only nine coming ten. He's still young enough to go and have another go, but we're talking about today, not last month.

"We're happy that the horse has come home from Cheltenham and done this. A lot of people don't bring their horses back from Cheltenham - they’re afraid to - but I think 'let’s have a crack.’ It's good racing and good for the sport. Win, lose or draw, you’ve got to turn up. They’ve got a fantastic team here at Punchestown and worked hard to keep watering the ground."

On the pace scenario that saw his star chaser mostly left unpestered for the lead, Mullins added: “I think Paul sets out to go forward. If you want to lie up with him, you can. Paul won’t object. He’s able to do it; he’s got a huge stride and a huge jump. He doesn’t have to make the running, he’s done it different ways before. He’s got stamina, jumping ability and isn’t afraid. He's got a lot of things you want in a racehorse. I’d imagine we’ll try to do the same with him next season in terms of his programme.”

Jimmy Mangan is looking forward to a smoother run through the season next term with Spillane’s Tower, who had been absent since the King George at Christmas and was taken out of his intended Aintree assignment at the 11th hour due to drying ground more recently.

He finished two and a quarter lengths clear of the third-placed Monty's Star, while Banbridge disappointed in trailing the four-runner field.

“The drying ground might have went against him a little bit but I’m not using it as an excuse - the best horse on the day won,” said Mangan.

“Galopin Des Champs is a hell of a horse. I’ve got a young horse and we’ll be back next season. The mistakes came at the wrong time but I wouldn’t say they were the losing of the race.

“A bit more cut in the ground would help and a busier year too. He went to Liverpool and then came back, he lacked a race really. We’re looking forward to him next season.”