Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File could renew rivalry in barnstorming Savills Chase

Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File remain on course for another clash after both featured among the confirmations for what could be a barnstorming Savills Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

Fact To File returned with a dazzling win in last month's John Durkan at Punchestown, edging out Spillane's Tower and surging past his Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Galopin Des Champs after the last fence.

Dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs will be a warmer prospect back over three miles in a race he won 12 months ago, although the prize is far from guaranteed to end up back at Closutton with the Gordon Elliott-trained Gerri Colombe also among the 13 possible runners. 

Grand National hero I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West and Minella Cocooner add further depth to the possible Mullins team for the Savills, while Spillane's Tower, Corbetts Cross and Envoi Allen – all of whom have been discussed for the King George – feature among the 13 entries too.

Elliott has the option of running 2022 winner Conflated, while Gentlemansgame (Mouse Morris), Heart Wood (Henry de Bromhead) and Inothewayurthinkin (Gavin Cromwell) are the other remaining possible runners.

Home By The Lee: set to run in the Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 28Credit: CAROLINE NORRIS

The December 28 card also features the Savills Hurdle, in which previous winner Home By The Lee could face up to 13 rivals.

Brighterdaysahead has been handed an entry by Elliott, who has claimed this prize five times in nine years. However, she also has the option of the Neville Hotels Hurdle on the final day of the meeting.

Another Grand National hero could be on show in Noble Yeats, while Asterion Forlonge, Bob Olinger, Hewick, Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles and Sir Gerhard are also among a strong potential cast for the Savills Hurdle.

Last season's Champion Hurdle winner State Man could bid to exact revenge on Brighterdaysahead on the final day of four at Leopardstown in the Neville Hotels Hurdle, although Mullins has also kept Lossiemouth in contention – the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton has been touted as an option for the smooth Hatton's Grace Hurdle winner.

Savills Chase (Leopardstown, December 28)
Paddy Power: 6-4 Galopin Des Champs, 7-4 Fact To File, 7 Gerri Colombe, Spillane’s Tower, 12 Corbetts Cross, I Am Maximus, 20 Envoi Allen, 25 Gentlemansgame, 33 Conflated, Grangeclare West, 40 Heart Wood, Inothewayurthinkin, 100 Minella Coccooner

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