THERE are some sublime head-to-heads in store over the coming days and the very best of them might be saved for day three of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Round one between Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File in last month’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase turned into an epic encounter - the pair split by big King George VI Chase contender Spillane’s Tower - and the sequel promises to be something special in Saturday’s Savills Chase (2.35).

Two and three-quarters of a length was the margin that separated the Willie Mullins-trained galacticos at Punchestown nearly five weeks ago, and cases can be made for both runners improving from that showdown.

Fact To File had never raced outside of novice company over fences before and was turned over by American Mike in a beginners’ chase on his comeback run a season earlier. Despite a 256-day layoff, he was able to rise to the occasion without a recent run and win a John Durkan for the ages.

On the other hand, Galopin Des Champs is the reigning standard setter in the staying chase division and is officially still rated 8lb superior to his year-younger stablemate. His best form, as a dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, is something Fact To File needs to raise his game a fair deal to match, for all he remains completely unexposed in senior company.

Audrey Turley’s star eight-year-old also ran riot in the 2023 Savills, posting a 23-length hammering of Gerri Colombe, having been beaten a length and three-quarters on his John Durkan comeback behind Fastorslow. Could another big spike of improvement be on the cards?

Course form

That extended-two-mile-and-three-furlong trip at Punchestown looks on the sharp side for the recent HRI Horse of the Year Award winner, while he has also been beaten on his last four visits to Punchestown. In comparison, his last five appearances at Leopardstown have each yielded wins, scoring by 22 lengths, nine lengths, eight lengths, 23 lengths and four and a half lengths. In short, this is one of his favourite tracks.

Willie Mullins’ reflections on Galopin Des Champs’ return effort also made for interesting reading: “I thought for his first run, it was a hell of a run. We were beaten by two good novices, but it’s easier to challenge after cruising around behind than when you’ve been up there like he was.

“He’d had a thorn in a joint in the lead up to Punchestown; it was in an awkward place and we couldn’t get it out, so he had a little hold up. He had a few weeks off after we got it out, and missing that time was crucial, I thought. I wanted to get a run into him before Christmas and took a chance.”

Five-time Grade 1 winner Gerri Colombe remains in the mix for the €175,000 contest, though he needs to bounce back from a disappointing return in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase, while Grand National hero I Am Maximus is expected to start his road back to Aintree here.

Earlier on the same card, in the Grade 1 Savills Hurdle (2.00), officially registered as the Christmas Hurdle, Home By The Lee has the chance to regain his crown, having won the race back in 2022.

He failed to fire here 12 months ago, when unable to take advantage of what could have been an easy lead, but he showed just how effective he can be on his winning comeback in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan last month.

Bob’s revenge?

While we are dealing with entries at this stage rather than final fields, it’s possible there could be a Navan rematch with Boyne runner-up Bob Olinger, who will be 5lb better off with Home By The Lee after being beaten three and a half lengths last time.

He disappointed in this race two years ago - his only hurdling try at close to three miles - so his stamina remains a bit of an unknown.

Hewick, who is now in the care of Tara Lee Cogan while Shark Hanlon serves a suspension, has skipped defending his King George title at Kempton and instead holds an entry back over flights here.

Asterion Forlonge, who turns 11 next week, finished second to Teahupoo over three miles at the Punchestown Festival when last seen and could make his seasonal debut here. This is Noble Yeats’ only entry over the four-day Christmas Festival. This card is not only about the Grade 1 highlights. History tells us that the Ballymaloe Relish Rising Stars Beginners Chase (1.20) over an extended two miles and five furlongs is a race well worth paying attention to, given its last three winners were Galopin Des Champs, Gentlemansgame and Fact To File.

The opening two-and-a-half-mile Savills Maiden Hurdle (12.20) has also been won by the likes of subsequent Grade 1 winners Gaillard Du Mesnil and Jade De Grugy in recent years.