Galopin Des Champs is set to face nine rivals in his bid to land the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup for the third year in a row on Saturday.
Stablemate Fact To File is his principal opponent and the feature on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown represents their third meeting of the campaign.
The emerging rival scored over a shorter trip in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase before Galopin Des Champs delivered a masterclass to make amends in the Savills Chase over C&D.
Willie Mullins’ third string, Embassy Gardens, got the better of Monty’s Star on seasonal reappearance in the New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore and the pair renew rivalries as they switch to a left-handed track.
Grand National hero I Am Maximus, C&D scorer Grangeclare West and bet365 Gold Cup winner Minella Cocooner complete the Closutton battalion.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Conflated makes an unlikely bid to regain the crown he won in 2022.
Hewick, the winner of the 2023 King George VI Chase, has been declared but might not take his chance if the ground is testing, while Gavin Cromwell will be hoping Inothewayurthinkin can fire after a pair of disappointing outings in open company.
The latest Irish Gold Cup odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup 2025 verdict
Timeform: The outstanding GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can confirm his Christmas meeting superiority over stablemate Fact To File and land a third successive win in this race. Monty’s Star is taken to reverse Tramore reappearance form with Embassy Gardens and prove best of the remainder.
*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
Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup 2025.
Conflated
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 11 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Winner of this and the Savills here in 2002 but seemingly not the force of old, beaten 28¾ lengths into seventh behind Galopin Des Champs in the latest running of the Savills.
*
Embassy Gardens
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: M. J. M. O’Sullivan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Very smart chaser. 9/1, career best when winning 7-runner New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore (22.8f, heavy) 31 days ago by 5 lengths from Monty’s Star, going with enthusiasm.
***
Fact To File
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Top-class chaser who had Galopin Des Champs behind him when winning the John Durkan at Punchestown on reappearance but his stablemate proved 7½ lengths too strong for him in the Savills here over Christmas. It might be a similar story again.
****
Galopin Des Champs
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Behind Fact To File on reappearance but this dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner looked back to his best when proving 7½ lengths too strong for his reopposing stable-companion in the Savills here over Christmas. Hard to beat as he bids for a hat-trick of wins in this race.
*****
Grangeclare West
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Very smart C&D winner at best but 23¼ lengths sixth of 9 to Galopin Des Champs in Savills Chase here 35 days ago. Likely booked for another struggle.
*
Hewick
Trainer: Miss Tara Lee Cogan Jockey: Jordan Colin Gainford Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Last season’s King George winner. As good as ever when second in the Champion Chase at Down Royal (3m, good to soft) in November and not disgraced back hurdling at the Christmas meeting here.
***
I Am Maximus
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: J. S. McGarvey Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Added to his 2023 Irish Grand National success when landing the Grand National at Aintree last April but he made an underwhelming return to action when pulled up in the Savills over Christmas. Can only watch after that.
**
Inothewayurthinkin
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: Keith Donoghue Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class chaser. 11/1, creditable 15¼ lengths fifth of 9 to Galopin Des Champs in Savills here (good to soft) over Christmas, barely adequate test. The ground might be more testing this time, which would help.
***
Minella Cocooner
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart chaser but comfortably held by Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File on this season’s form.
*
Monty’s Star
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Had an excellent first campaign over fences, finishing second Fact To File and Spillane’s Tower in Grade 1 novices at Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring. Shaped as if run was just needed when 5 lengths second to Embassy Gardens on Tramore reappearance on New Year’s Day. Should be spot on now.
***
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