He's back: Galopin Des Champs begins Gold Cup journey at Punchestown

Monday: 2.10 Punchestown
John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | RTE/RTV

Willie Mullins has nothing but positive things to say about Galopin Des Champs ahead of his belated reappearance, eight days later than planned.

The champion trainer could have waited for the Savills Chase at either Leopardstown or Tramore for the Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite but has stuck to his original plan instead.

Mullins said: "We eventually get to run the John Durkan and we're happy for Galopin to go for it. He's been doing everything right at home ahead of his first run of the season. I think he's very well. Fakir D'Oudairies is his main rival and he'll be a tough nut to crack. He's a specialist two-and-a-half-miler and it'll be a tough race.

"A clear round and coming home safe and sound are my two priorities with a view to his next run, but it would be good to win if we could."

Paul Townend cannot wait to get back on board Galopin Des Champs and described his first season over fences as "exceptional".

The Audrey Turley-owned six-year-old will bid to become the first horse since Kicking King in 2004-05 to win this Grade 1 event on route to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory in the same season. Townend believes it is an ideal starting point for a potentially massive campaign.

Townend said: "We all know he's a really exciting horse. Last season he was exceptional bar the one blip at Cheltenham. Hopefully he can make a Gold Cup horse this season and this is the ideal place to start back over two and a half miles."

Mullins is going for a fifth consecutive John Durkan win and a ninth in total.

Fakir goes for fifth victory at top level

Joseph O'Brien has made no secret of the fact that Fakir D'Oudairies has taken a little longer to return to race fitness this season but the weather delay means connections have been afforded eight extra days to prepare for his eagerly awaited battle with Galopin Des Champs.

The Ascot Chase he won in February may not have been a stellar edition but the form of his dominant Melling Chase strike looks far more solid now with runner-up Hitman a leading fancy for the King George after making quite an impression at Haydock last time.

Fakir D'Oudairies comes home clear of Hitman at Aintree in AprilCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

O'Brien feels the John Durkan is the perfect place for the four-time Grade 1 winner to return to action.

The trainer said: "We're looking forward to starting off his season here. It looks a good race but we're hoping for a nice run from him."

What they say

Martin Brassil, trainer of Fastorslow
I think it's deplorable that I have to run him here. Look at the calendar and tell me where else I could have run him? There's been nothing since October. Horses like him are continually ignored by the calendar in Ireland. I was going to run him in the Hilly Way at Cork but the ground wasn't great, so I chose not to, and the ground wasn't right in the Fortria Chase at Navan, but again, they're both Grade 2s. There aren't enough options for a horse like him.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Haut En Couleurs
I want to bring him up in trip and maybe go up to 3m eventually, but we'll start here and see how he goes.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Vanillier
His jumping was better on his first start of the season at Down Royal. That trip, and the same here, is probably still a bit short of his optimum and this is a competitive race. We'd be happy if he could produce a nice round of jumping and maybe run into a place.

Read this next:

'I'm convinced she's very talented' - David Jennings with two Punchestown tips (£)

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Members' Club Ultimate subscriber? Click here to join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content