Galopin Des Champs: Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite wins on return at Punchestown
Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs won decisively on his seasonal return at Punchestown.
2-9 favourite, ridden by Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins, never looked in trouble as he took the John Durkan Chase.
x-year-old drew 13 lengths clear of the runner-up, Fakir D'oudairies, a four-time Grade One winner.
Galopin Des Champs was cut to around 7-4 favourite from 5-2 by bookmakers for the Gold Cup in March.
"This horse has grown up and learned so much. He was doing everything right," said Mullins, who was winning the race for a ninth time.