GALOPIN Des Champs stamped his class all over the rearranged Grade 1 John Durkan Chase with a trademark display of foot-perfect jumping and powerful galloping.

Admittedly, there is nothing new about the description of the comeback performance, it was more the adaptation in race tactics which sent a message to his wannabe Gold Cup rivals.

Galopin Des Champs (170+) settled perfectly behind Lifetime Ambition, rather than making the running as was the case last season and this tractability removed many concerns that the six-year-old may burn himself out over the Gold Cup distance.

Wherever Willie Mullins decides is next for his stellar chaser, his supporters will hope it produces a victory over three miles to dispel any theory of there being even a chink, in what looks an impregnable armour.

The impact of taking a lead made no difference to his achievement on the clock, as he almost matched his accomplishment at the Dublin Racing Festival last season, but with any amount in hand.

To further enhance the credentials of the display, dual Grade 1 winner Fakir D’Oudairies (157) ran up to his best on the clock at Punchestown while, from a form perspective, he was beaten further than when fourth to Allaho in last year’s renewal.

Impressive

Paul Townend was also aboard Appreciate It (147+) who was equally as impressive visually without proving quite as dazzling on the clock.

A comparison of the two races through the final circuit showed Galopin Des Champs to be 3.5secs quicker as they closed off from the fourth last fence in an equal 62.3secs.

Making his debut over fences, the former Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner measured his obstacles with accuracy, with his adjustment at the final fence as impressive as you will see from a novice chaser on his chasing debut.

The context of the circuit time and closing sectionals is provided by Sir Bob (130) trailing Galopin Des Champs by 7.9secs and Appreciate It by 4.2secs and both contemporaries by 4.3secs from the fourth last fence.

The pick of the races over the smaller obstacles was the listed mares’ contest won by Saylavee (124+), who found an extra gear to prevail in a three-way tussle with Bella Scintilla (122) and Harmonya Maker (122+), who will improve for a step up in distance.

The feature on the clock was the quickest final circuit as Willie Mullins’ mare covered the ground 3.0secs quicker than Old Soul (120), who clocked the only other time figure of note on the afternoon.

LIBERTY Dance (130+) will forever be known for being the final winning ride of the retiring Davy Russell, although it may not be the final headline Gordon Elliott’s mare writes as she produced a performance over hurdles which her bumper form of last season promised.

An inauspicious start to the season in a Grade 3 at Down Royal is now a distant memory as two victories at Thurles inside 18 days suggest she has the credentials for graded company.

Davy Russell sat closest to the front-running Rocco Bay and he exuded confidence on the six-year-old throughout the contest before sweeping to lead as a result of good jump at the second last hurdle.

The feature of the race was the fastest closing sectional of the card, with the winner posting 29.4secs from the second last hurdle, which was 1.1secs quicker than next quickest New Ross who stopped the clock at 32.5secs.

Belle The Lioness (125+) was enjoying just her second start over hurdles and, having shown promise on her debut, enhanced her reputation still further with a strong finishing effort.

Quickened

Rachael Blackmore found herself on the inside when the pace quickened and was also not helped by her mount missing the second last hurdle, although once switched for room the five-year-old finished with enthusiasm into second, posting a closing sectional of 30.2secs.

The Model Kingdom (124) benefitted from exaggerated waiting tactics to win at Punchestown, although when faced with the finishing speed displayed by Liberty Dance, Bryan Cooper was always fighting a losing battle as he attempted to repeat the dose.

Noel Meade’s mare looked to fade late on following a small mistake at the last which cost her momentum, albeit her closing sectional of 30.5secs was also faster than the other winners on the card.

New Ross (112+) saved every inch of ground in the hands of J.J. Slevin as he defied a lengthy absence to win the handicap on the card, in doing so repelling the challenge of Marvel Fan (112).

The overall race time difference of 2.3secs between the handicap hurdle and the mares’ event reduced to 1.8secs over the final circuit, which suggested the first two home have run beyond their rating.

A quick return to the track would be a concern with New Ross although given some time to recover further success looks assured, while Tony Martin’s mare has reserved her best for Fairyhouse in recent times.

The victory of Grand Soir (110) looked unlikely as the field turn for home although, when the prominently ridden Level Neverending (108) began to fade, Simon Torrens found himself in the ideal challenging position.

Pace collapsed

The winner’s closing sectional of 33.4secs illustrates the pace collapsed slightly, although John McConnell’s gelding was well on top at the line and may yet be open to further improvement.

Ramillies (145+) made a successful debut over fences in the opening race on the card, fending off the late challenge of stable mate Tenzing (142+), who matched his stablemate on the level without being his equal at the obstacles.

The pair quickened away from their field to post the quickest final circuit and closing sectional on the card, covering the ground from the third last fence in an identical 58.1secs; illustrating how important the advantage Ramillies gained with his fluent fencing against the less than convincing round of jumping posted by the runner-up.

The final circuit was 3.0secs quicker than Brandy Harbour who stopped the clock for his closing split at 62.1secs which is further indication to the finishing speed of the Closutton pair as the closing variance difference contributed the entire difference over the circuit.

Ballykeel (125) looked to have been readily outpointed in third, however his closing sectional of 61.4secs confirms he can win over fences now handicapped.

Brandy Harbour (143) clocked the best time figure over fences when adjusted for distance, despite being no match for the Willie Mullins’ pair through the closing stages. However, he was still superior to Lizrona (110) by 6.0secs on the circuit and 1.3secs over the final three fences.

Diarmuid Moloney has added an extra dimension to Brandy Harbour and is now 2-2 aboard the eight-year-old.

The common denominator in the performances has been taking a wider route, charting a similar course in future engagements can yield more success.