Savills Chase (Grade 1)

GALOPIN Des Champs proved himself to be as good as ever with a tremendous success in the Savills Chase.

Willie Mullins’ winner of the past two renewals of the Cheltenham Gold Cup also took this Grade 1 last season and lined up unbeaten over fences at the Dublin track. He was the 5/6 favourite under Paul Townend but had stablemate Fact To File to contend with.

Galopin Des Champs made all of the running and although Fact To File gave chase on the run to the last, the winner stayed on strongly to cross the line a power-packed seven and a half lengths ahead.

Mullins said of Audrey Turley’s star: “He put in some fantastic jumps and to win the way he did, after giving the other horse a lead the whole way, was one of the best performances I have ever seen around here.

“It’s frightening to think he could still be improving and hopefully he hasn’t left his whole season behind him, but what a great day and a great atmosphere with people all around the parade ring.”

Change of tactics

Of the runner-up, he added: “Fact To File ran a little bit keen. We might change riding instructions for him in future. If he settles he can stay further.”

Mullins had struck earlier with market drifter Kaid D’authie who bounced back from a fall at Navan on his Irish debut to confirm his tall reputation in the Savills Maiden Hurdle.

The J.P. McManus-owned French import was sent off 7/2 and made all under Mark Walsh to beat Koktail Divin by half a length.

“He’s a lovely big, long-striding horse who has very little respect for his hurdles and looks like he could be more of a chaser,” said Mullins

“He’s a big chasing type and is a similar type to Majborough. They both cover a huge amount of ground when they gallop.

“I’d say he’ll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival and take on the top two-milers and we’ll see where he is then.”

Savills Hurdle (Grade 1)

HOME By The Lee (15/8 favourite) regained his Savills Hurdle title in good style as Joseph O’Brien’s Christmas hot streak continued apace.

O’Brien’s charge took the race in 2022 and J.J. Slevin produced him to head Bob Olinger at the last after which he went away to account for his old rival by six lengths.

O’Brien, saddling a Grade 1 winner for the third day in a row, said: “We were worried that he may do a bit too much with the blinkers back on but J.J. got him settled and into a lovely rhythm. I’m delighted for Sean and Rose O’Driscoll and all their friends.

“This horse has a big following and is a special horse. I’d say that was close to a career-best from him and he’ll go back to Cheltenham with an each-way chance.”

Capo is the rising star

The Gordon Elliott-trained Dee Capo (15/2) recorded his fourth career victory when coming out on top in an exciting finish to the Ballymaloe Relish Rising Stars Beginners Chase.

Chapeau De Soleil made most of the running but was strongly pressed by both odds-on favourite Quai De Bourbon and Dee Capo approaching the final fence.

Danny Gilligan’s mount just proved the stronger in the closing stages beating Chapeau De Soleil by a neck, with the market leader half a length back in third.

Elliott said of David L’Estrange’s Maxios gelding: “He’s a nice horse and was running a good race in Navan when he fell two out. He can go out in trip and he showed a good attitude galloping out to the line.”

Elliott doubled up when point-to-point recruit Kovanis justified even-money favouritism under Harry Swan in the Midland Legal Solicitors Flat Race.

An easy winner for Ger Quinn in October before being bought for £330,000 at Cheltenham the following month, the grey son of Tunis forged ahead of Global Submission in the closing stages for a three-parts-of-a-length victory.

Stable representative Lisa O’Neill said: “It took him a bit of time going through the gears but you’d have to like what he’s done there. He’s only a four-year-old and still has a bit of filling out to do. He’s a nice prospect for Gigginstown going forward.”

WIN Some Lose Some (7/2 favourite) is winning more often than he’s losing this season and landed the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) under Mark Walsh.

Making it four victories from seven starts this term, the Champs Elysees gelding came from off the pace to lead after the last and stayed on well to hold Whatsavailable by three parts of a length.

Padraig Roche trains the winner for J.P. McManus and said: “He jumped well and the step up in trip helped him. He’s a better horse on better ground. The option is open to run in the Final now. We’ll talk to J.P. and Frank Berry and see what they want to do.”

Giant Haystacks (15/2) relished going an extra half mile to land the Mercedes Benz South Dublin Handicap Hurdle under Tom Harney.

Never that far off the pace, the son of Elusive Pimpernel led before the omitted final flight (low-lying sun) and was driven out to beat Cave Court by a length and a half.

Trainer Ross O’Sullivan said: “He’s a nice horse and came recommended from Aubrey McMahon and Aidan Fitzgerald.

“The Keep It Simple Syndicate are from Clane and are a great bunch of lads - they will have great craic in Clane tonight!”