Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File set for Punchestown blockbuster as Willie Mullins finally flexes his muscles

The John Durkan Chase is shaping up to be a race for the ages as Willie Mullins is set to unleash superstar stablemates Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File in a blockbuster showdown at Punchestown on Sunday (2.25). 

The pair are 7-2 joint-favourites with BoyleSports for the Gold Cup next March but are on course to test their credentials in an early-season humdinger, but it is no two-horse race as last year's winner Fastorslow is primed to bid for for back-to-back successes in the Grade 1 showpiece. 

Fastorslow will be ridden by leading amateur Derek O'Connor in the absence of the injured JJ Slevin, as he attempts to register a fourth victory over Galopin Des Champs, while JP McManus has five of the 11 entries following Tuesday's confirmations stage including the Gavin Cromwell-trained pair Inothewayurthinkin and Limerick Lace and Jimmy Mangan's Spillane's Tower, as well as Fact To File.