Fastorslow won a second Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday evening and, in doing so, inflicted a third defeat on his arch-rival Galopin Des Champs.

It was a hugely enjoyable victory for trainer Martin Brassil, jockey J.J. Slevin and owners Sean and Bernadine Mulryan, following Fastorslow's premature exit from the Cheltenham Gold Cup six fences from home.

However, Punchestown has always brought out the best in him and, sent off the 7/2 second favourite, he seemed to enjoy the better ground and was always travelling a little bit better than Paul Townend on Galopin Des Champs, the 1/2 favourite.

As long-time leader Conflated faded, Fastorslow took up the running at the third last fence and it was soon evident that Galopin Des Champs was struggling to keep tabs on the leader. Hewick (12/1) put in a brave bid but Fastorslow had them all covered and won by a length and a quarter from Galopin Des Champs, with Hewick over two lengths back in third.

“That was a monster performance,” said Slevin, posting his second Grade 1 of the festival and also winner of the Irish Grand National a month ago on Intense Raffles.

“Martin is an unbelievable trainer. He doesn’t miss, ever. To get these horses in the shape he does is unbelievable. There’s a great team. Everybody works hard, everyone enjoys their work. The care the horses get, the attention to detail is second to none. He’s just a phenomenal trainer.

“I am very lucky to get on the horses I’m on and riding for Martin. He’s a great fella to ride for, a deep thinker about his races and he has a fair plan of what he wants to do before you go out and that’s what we try and do.

“It means the world. Banbridge yesterday was massive and to win this... It’s crazy really.”

Seán Mulryan was over the moon.

“It’s our local track,” said Mulryan. “There’s nothing better than this, all the local people, our friends, family, it’s very special. Last year was probably a bit of a shock but to win it two times in a row… at the moment we have to enjoy it.

“In a lifetime, you could have a hundred horses and you’d never get a horse like him. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse that myself and Martin are lucky to have. And of course this man (Brassil) is an extraordinary man to care for a horse, to look after a horse. He had him absolutely spot on. He was a bit more confident than I was.”

Brassil is never one for unnecessary exclamations or exultation but the confidence he had in his charge was justified.

“He turned up in just as good a shape – possibly a bit better than last year,” Brassil reckoned. “And he obliged. He delivered what we were hoping.

“JJ said he was running away with him for the first mile. He felt he had it won at every stage. He said he won on the bridle. He’s a nice horse to have. He’s the best horse I’ve had anyway.”

Paul Townend said of Galopin Des Champs: "I actually think he ran well. The ground dried out and this is Fastorslow's track here, isn't it?

"Maybe we just lacked a little bit of zip in the race when we needed it. I missed a few beats at the jumps, compared to how he was winging around Cheltenham. He's run with credit.

Fair play to winning connections and J.J.

"Galopin stayed going to the death. It's just so hard to come back from Cheltenham to here. We'll be looking forward to the rematch next season."