Galopin Des Champs strolls to Punchestown Gold

The nine-year-old looked much happier than he did at Cheltenham all the way through this time.

Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend jump the 2nd last to win the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. Pic: Healy Racing

Galopin Des Champs gained a deserved first victory in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup with a superlative performance.

Denied a third Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month, the Willie Mullins-trained star was out to prevent an unwanted hat-trick in this race, having been second to Fastorslow for the past two years.