One result more than any other will raise the roof at the Dublin Racing Festival this weekend, and that’s if Galopin Des Champs can land the Irish Gold Cup of 2026 completing a four-timer in the meeting’s flagship steeplechase. This hugely popular and public horse has suffered just one career defeat over fences around Leopardstown.
A dual winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and favourite to regain that crown after his run here, Galopin Des Champs loomed up large in the Savills Chase over Christmas before appearing to tire in the home straight. It looks very much like a lack of race fitness as he missed his usual reappearance in the John Durkan due to a minor setback.
With a run under his belt now, however, the bookmakers greatly fear Galopin Des Champs, even at the veteran age of 10, gaining more Irish Gold Cup glory. Willie Mullins has plenty more in his arsenal than just this phenomenal racehorse, however, and saddles seven others in a field of 13. Two of those are for JP McManus in Fact To File and I Am Maximus.
The former is a Ryanair Chase winner from Cheltenham races, but twice beaten over the course and distance last season by Galopin Des Champs. I Am Maximus finishing in front of the Leopardstown measuring stick, however, when runner-up behind Affordale Fury in the Savills Chase. McManus also has last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin in the line-up, but he’s trained by Gavin Cromwell.
More Mullins mounts abound. John Durkan hero Gaelic Warrior prevailed in an epic Punchestown battle with Fact To File in November, then confirmed the form in the King George around Kempton on Boxing Day. Beaten two noses on that occasion, Leopardstown hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for him.
Spindleberry Steps Out of Mares Only Races with Unbeaten Record at Stake
Also representing the Closutton camp in the Irish Gold Cup of 2026 is the mare Spindleberry. She landed the Fairyhouse Gold Cup against the boys last Easter. She now steps up in trip after proving too good for fellow females in two runs at home and in the UK this term. Spinldeberry hasn’t lost a race over fences yet either, but these are very deep waters compared to the mares only contests of late.
Connections are keen to chance their arm at the highest level with the trainer’s nephew Danny Mullins booked for the ride again. And still the Mullins mounts come with next up from the battalion being a couple more 10-year-olds. Champ Kiely was unlucky to stumble and slip up here over Christmas, but a rare misstep saw him quickly turned out on New Year’s Day down around Tramore where he didn’t fire.
He has unfinished business with Leopardstown, that’s for sure. Champ Kiley is a lightly-raced horse for his age, but put in a big display when landing a Grade 1 novice chase during the Punchestown Festival over the Irish Gold Cup distance. Grangeclare West finished runner-up here 12 months ago and continues to hold his form pretty well for Cheveley Park Stud, meanwhile.
He has twice finished behind I Am Maximus in both the Grand National and Savills Chase. Brian Hayes gets on well with Grangeclare West, so he’s again in the saddle here. Last but not least for the mob-handed Mullins is Lecky Watson, one of the many Cheltenham Festival winners in this line-up. He hasn’t replicated his Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase success in open company just yet with two sevenths this term.
Affordale Fury out to Confirm Form of Savills Chase Success
Noel Meade spung something of a surprise on racegoers over Christmas when Affordale Fury upset the mighty Mullins. He’s turned eight since the Savills Chase, but still retains plenty of scope for further progress. Whether all of his rivals were as far forward fitness wise at that stage of the season with the spring festivals still to come is open to question.
Affordale Fury is no mug, however, as he finished second in an Albert Bartlett on Gold Cup day of the Cheltenham schedule in 2023. A winner of races on all different types of going, the softer surface for the Irish Gold Cup of 2026 shouldn’t faze him. After just seven chase starts, Affordale Fury still looks unexposed. Perhaps not so much as Spindleberry, but he should make a bold bid to follow-up.
Gordon Elliott runs a couple with Firefox and Stellar Story very much in the outsiders category. The former has stamina to prove, while the latter runs in first-time blinkers after finishing eighth here at Christmas. Neither seem likely to give the Mullins mounts much anxiety. Henry De Bromhead inmate Monty’s Star, twice fifth over course and distance, completes the baker’s dozen.
Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File have always had his number, so again similar comments apply. The sheer weight of numbers for Mullins here sets a daunting standard for the other trainers to try and match. As Affordale Fury’s festive success shows, though, there’s no such thing as unbeatable. There’s an embarrassment of riches on show in this showpiece race.
Irish Gold Cup 2026 Shortlist & Verdict
All of the leading Cheltenham bookies run scared from GALOPIN DES CHAMPS on his track record at Leopardstown. He has often stepped forward for his first run throughout his career and, on that basis, he’s the right favourite. Gaelic Warrior is next best of the Mullins mounts in the market, but I Am Maximus is a rare link-up for Jack Kennedy with the yard.
He finished in front of Galopin Des Champs over Christmas, but still behind Affordale Fury who has obvious claims on the Savills Chase run. Unbeaten mare Spindleberry has to be on any shortlist with that flawless 5-5 record over fences. She must prove her stamina, but hasn’t been stopping in her races either. Fact To File is on the short side price wise for a horse who has only one win in his last six.
