Paul Townend reunites with Galopin Des Champs in bid to land record-equalling fourth Irish Gold Cup

Willie Mullins’ dual Cheltenham Gold Cup victor Galopin Des Champs is the headline act for Paul Townend at this year’s Dublin Racing Festival.

By Kieran McHugh

Galopin Des Champs is the top billing for this year’s Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown, as he bids to equal Florida Pearl’s record of four Irish Gold Cup victories.

Betway ambassador Paul Townend bids to equal Mark Dwyer as the winning-most jockey of the race and cannot wait to be reunited with his ‘old champion.’

“For any racing fan looking in, this is an unbelievable race,” said Townend.

He continued: “It’s brilliant to be part of it and riding my old champion in it as well. What a race, the depth of it is unbelievable.”

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Kargese heads Saturday’s undercard

Townend also takes the ride on Kargese in the Irish Arkle, facing off against Gordon Elliott’s star novice Romeo Coolio.

In the absence of Kopek Des Bordes, Townend believes that Kargese can still do the job, saying: “Interestingly, we beat Lovely Hurling by an almost identical distance as Kopek Des Bordes did.

“So, I don’t think it’s a complete one-sided affair. I think she’ll give a good account of herself.”

Doctor Steinberg to cure January blues?

The first race of the meeting is the 2m6f Grade One novice hurdle and Townend and Mullins team up with Doctor Steinberg.

The champion jockey believes his mount is only getting better, saying: “Mine is a horse that’s just going the right way and improving with every run and his form seems to be stacking up nicely. 

“So, hopefully he can get the weekend off to the best possible start.”

‘Unknown quantity’ Selma De Vary to shock Narciso Has?

Narciso Has is the main talking horse in this race and has dominated the build-up but Townend believes Closutton could have one to shock the field.

“Mine does have the benefit of some good hurdle experience in France,” said Townend.

He continued: “She was very impressive winning the last day.

“She wears a hood as she has been quite keen, but since we got her, she hasn’t been showing those tendencies as much, she seems to be growing up.”

Lossiemouth headlines super Sunday

The seven-time Irish jump racing champion jockey has a stellar book of rides on the second day of the DRF.

These are headed by Lossiemouth in the Irish Champion Hurdle, which Townend believes is a match-up between December Hurdle adversary Brighterdaysahead.

Commenting on the race, Townend said: “I think it is going to be a different race to Christmas.

“But it looks like it’s between the two mares.

“She [Brighterdaysahead] galloped right to the line, so could you say she needed the run.

He [Jack Kennedy] was niggling away at the back of the second last round into the home straight and she stayed galloping right to the line.”

Townend finished: “So, you know, that would lead me to believe she was pretty race-ready. 

“So, I thought I was a snug winner the last day.”

‘Exciting’ Final Demand to land fourth Grade One?

Top novice chaser Final Demand is the first of Townend’s mounts for day two of the festival and the champion jockey would not have it any other way.

“I love Final Demand and I couldn’t get off him for anything in the race,” said Townend.

People had slight doubts after his victory at Limerick but Townend is not worried, saying: “I think he underperformed on the day, but I’m not sure he or the race ever got competitive enough to perform either. 

“He jumped fine and got valuable experience, jumping wise.”

Can Energumene roll back the years in the Dublin Chase?

Former champion chaser Energumene is the veteran in this field but with potential question marks surrounding his competitors and the going, could he roll back the years?

Townend certainly thinks so, saying: “The heavier the ground the better. 

“It’s a really competitive race but we’re optimistic people. So, we’re going to talk up our own one as best we can anyway.”

Rasko the King?

Rasko King Gray won his sole start over hurdles under Danny Mullins but Townend is excited to take the ride as he steps up to Grade One company.

“I just loved watching Danny on him,” said Townend. “With the benefit of that run under his belt he’ll have what he needs to step forward.”

Murcia key to unlocking tricky handicap?

Townend’s final mount of the day is Murcia in the two-mile handicap hurdle, in which Willie Mullins is well represented.

Townend is confident in his charge, saying: “She ran okay on testing ground in Naas last year and she was beaten into second before she went to Cheltenham for the Fred Winter. 

“I fancied our chances at Aintree after that, and she won well.

“She’ll also have stepped forward plenty for her run at Fairyhouse in November.”

You can read more about Paul Townend’s thoughts on his DRF rides and his thoughts on Kitzbuhel at Sandown in his Betway insider column.

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