Mullins aims for Galopin De Champs to emulate Gold Cup greats Arkle and Best Mate

Corkman Paul Townend has matched the Gold Cup record of Arkle's legendary rider Pat Taaffe.

Galopin Des Champs, with Paul Townend up, cross the line to win the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

An attempt to emulate three-time winners Arkle and Best Mate is uppermost in Willie Mullins' mind for Galopin Des Champs having watched his stable star smoothly add a second Boodles Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

While last year's race had its moments of concern before he eventually stamped his class on the contest, this time around it was much more straightforward.