Fact To File rediscovered his mojo in time to head towards glory ahead of fellow Irishman Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup.

Galopin Des Champs, a double Cheltenham Gold Cup winner who has won the Dublin Racing Festival in each of the past three seasons, equals the feat of another Willie Mullins-trained Florida Pearl superstar from 1999 to 2004 with a record of 15-8. The contract was renewed four times during the year.

The 10-year-old suffered his first defeat in eight starts at Leopardstown when he finished third in the race for the third Savills Chase in late December, but as that was his belated return to the season, he was expected to improve under Paul Townend.

After tracking Savills Chase winner Averdale Fury for much of the way, Gallopin Dechan jumped from home to the first four fences to cheers from the crowd, but was soon joined by Monty’s star and fact files, who were trying to put on a disappointing performance at King George’s at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Another Mullins player for the Gaelic Warriors threw his hat into the ring from home but the 9-2 field goal record was bested by Mark Walsh and continued galloping to score from five yards out.

Gaelic Warrior took a clear second place finish, with Galopin Des Champs narrowly beating out Firefox for third place, with the champion trainer finishing a one-two-three. Cheltenham’s reigning hero Inosvayushkin was exhausted at the end but was still able to walk away.

The full report follows…