Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup tips and runner-by-runner guide to Leopardstown 3.05 on Saturday

Can Galopin gallop his rivals into submission?

Galopin Des Champs jumps a fence

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Galopin Des Champs is set to face six rivals in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Willie Mullins’ rising star bids to make it two from two over fences in open company and strengthen his position as the favourite for the Gold Cup at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

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Cloustton stablemate Stattler, the winner of last season’s National Hunt Chase, looks to be his principal rival in Saturday’s 3.05pm while 2021 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup scorer Kemboy is also declared.

Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.

Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup runners

Any Second Now

Trainer: T. M. Walsh Jockey: Mark Walsh Age: 11 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Top-class chaser (placed in last 2 Grand Nationals). 16/1, good second of 10 in minor event hurdle at Punchestown (19.6f, heavy) on return 35 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Back up in trip.

**

Franco De Port

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Very smart chaser. Course winner. 6¾ lengths fourth of 7 to Conflated in Savills Chase at this course (24f, soft, 16/1) 38 days ago, needing stronger gallop.

**

Fury Road

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Davy Russell Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Very smart chaser. C&D winner. Seven wins from 21 NH runs. 1 win from 3 runs this season. Good 6¼ lengths third of 7 to Conflated in Savills Chase at this course (24f, soft, 7/1) 38 days ago.

**

Galopin Des Champs

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Grade 1 winning hurdler who has developed into a top-class chaser, winning his third Grade 1 in this sphere in John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on return. Stayed this far over hurdles and will prove very hard to beat.

*****

Kemboy

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 11 Weight: 11st 10lbs

High-class chaser. C&D winner (won this 2 years ago, fifth last year). Nine wins from 32 NH runs. Creditable 5 lengths second of 7 to Conflated in Savills Chase (18/5) at this course (24f, soft) 38 days ago.

**

Stattler

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Mr P. W. Mullins Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

High-class chaser who won 6-runner National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Very good neck second of 5 to Minella Indo in New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore (22.2f, heavy, 4/5) on return 34 days ago, travelling best. Remains with potential.

****

The Big Dog

Trainer: Peter Fahey Jockey: Keith Donoghue Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Big improver this autumn, winning Munster National at Limerick and the Troytown at Navan (both 3m). Decent third in Welsh National latest but plenty to find here.

**

Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup tips

Timeform: GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is potentially the best chaser in training so shouldn’t have much trouble recording a fifth Grade 1 success and cementing his place at the top of the Cheltenham Gold Cup market. His progressive stablemate Stattler is the only realistic threat.

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