Fastorslow repeats feat to claim another golden moment at Punchestown
THE FAST SLOW: Fastorslow en route to victory in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. Picture: Niall Carson/PA
Punchestown is Fastorslow’s domain. Martin Brassil’s stable star posted what was arguably the best performance of his career in confirming last year’s form with Galopin Des Champs in Wednesday’s Grade One Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup.
It was a fascinating race to watch, with Conflated setting off in front and the eventual winner, given a fine ride by JJ Slevin, racing a little keenly through the early stages and, consequently, going by Galopin Des Champs into second place.
At every stage, Slevin appeared to have the one in front covered and so all eyes were glancing back to the dual Cheltenham hero, Galopin Des Champs. Each time Paul Townend needed the favourite to put in a fast jump, it wasn’t there, and all the while Slevin and Fastorslow were within their comfort zone, jumping and travelling in style.
The field tightened up significantly as they turned for the final time, but Slevin’s mount possesses plenty of pace and he quickened up to go clear into and across the second-last fence. Galopin Des Champs, to his credit, ran on resolutely all the way to the line, with King George winner Hewick running a brilliant race in third, but Fastorslow was in command from a long way out and won with greater authority than the length-and-a-quarter winning distance might suggest.
“He turned up here in just as good a shape, possibly, or a bit better, I’d say, than last year and he obliged,” said Brassil. “He delivered what we were hoping. JJ said he was running away with him through the first mile, and he felt he had won at every stage. He said he won on the bridle. He’s a nice horse to have - the best horse I’ve had, anyway.”
Following his unseat from the horse in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Slevin’s first thought was that he had let so many people down, but he knows these are the things that happen in National Hunt racing, and there was as much to admire about this redemptive display.
"I’ve been very lucky this season and today lessens the Cheltenham incident,” said Slevin. “Being honest with you, he jumped the fence, his head disappeared and the next thing I was getting off the ground. That was it. I try not to think about it too much. We’ll enjoy today, it’s great.
“He’s an absolute monster. I haven’t ridden a horse like him at all. When he’s good, he’s exceptional - and he hasn’t put too many steps astray this season.
“There wasn’t ever really a moment’s concern. He travelled and jumped brilliantly. He was keen for the first mile. I was trying to conserve petrol and cursing myself going along that he was a bit keen. Then he dropped it and was comfortable. It was a monster of a performance. He’s so good, it’s unbelievable."
For winning owner Seán Mulryan, victory meant the world: “It’s Punchestown, it’s our local place, local people and our family, and there’s nothing better than this. It’s very special. To win it last year was a shock but to win it two times in a row is something that probably we can never repeat. We have to enjoy every second because it doesn’t happen very often.
“In a lifetime you could have a hundred horses and never get a horse like him. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse that Martin and I are lucky enough to have, and this man is an extraordinary man to care for a horse. He had him absolutely spot-on today, and he was a bit more confident than I was.”
After the defeat for Galopin Des Champs, which was also a blow to his jockeys’ title defence, Townend was magnanimous, and already looking ahead.
“I actually think he ran well,” said Townend. “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, but fair play to winning connections and to JJ.
“Galopin stayed going to the death. It's just so hard to come back from Cheltenham to here, but we’ll be looking forward to the rematch next season.”
