Hero's welcome for Galopin Des Champs

HAIL THE CHAMP: Galopin Des Champs with owner Audrey Turley and trainer Willie Mullins during Tuesday night's homecoming parade through the Carlow village of Leighlinbridge. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Galopin Des Champs was given the reception he so richly deserved as the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero enjoyed a homecoming parade through the Carlow village of Leighlinbridge on Tuesday evening.

For a long time it looked like Willie Mullins — the most successful trainer in Festival history — was destined to never claim the showpiece meeting's most prestigious prize after saddling the runner-up on no less than six occasions.