'That was something else' - Galopin Des Champs impresses Willie Mullins

Tuesday: Leopardstown

Willie Mullins sent chills down the spine of any rival with a high-calibre staying novice chaser in their care when Galopin Des Champs made a blistering start to his career over fences with a 22-length victory in the 2m5f beginners' chase.

Last season's Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle winner, who signed off that campaign with a Grade 1 victory at the Punchestown festival, looked as though he was born to jump fences with a remarkably assured performance for a chasing debutant.

Champion jockey Paul Townend allowed the 4-7 favourite to stride on in the lead and, after just a couple of fences, he had his rivals well strung out, such was his efficiency in the air.

Galopin Des Champs was never troubled in scoring by a wide margin and quotes of 9-4 for the Festival Novices' Chase at Cheltenham did not look in the least bit skimpy.

Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend return to the winner's enclosureCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"He was very impressive," Mullins said. "I thought he was good but I didn't think he was that good. That was just something else. He was so effortless over his fences. Paul said he was fantastic early on and, at a few that he met short, he just danced in front of his fences and took them at his stride.

"He did everything right and galloped away through the line and beyond it. He looks a very exciting horse, especially going over a trip. He's five turning six, so he's still very young. All options are open for him. I'd imagine he could come back to the Dublin Racing Festival but we'll take it one step at a time."

Mullins, having earlier landed the Christmas Hurdle with Klassical Dream, completed a Leopardstown treble for the third day in a row when Redemption Day took the bumper in smart fashion, earning quotes of 8-1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

Fans of American Mike may not have enjoyed watching the 8-11 shot dismantle a field of highly touted youngsters but, for Mullins, whose Facile Vega shot to the head of the Champion Bumper market on Sunday, Redemption Day strengthened his hand in a race he has won 11 times.

Mullins said: "A lovely, young horse by Blue Bresil. I bought him out of Pat Doyle's nursery and, as soon as we started working him, we knew he could be good bumper material. He looked even better today than I thought he looked at home, so we're very happy with him.

"We could come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival. We'll certainly look at the big bumpers for him. It's been a really nice day."

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