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Willie Mullins claims Irish Gold Cup 1-2-3 but favourite Galopin Des Champs is well beaten
Daily mirror | February 3, 2026 2:39 AM CST

Willie Mullins claimed another Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup one-two-three on Monday but favourite Galopin Des Champs was well beaten. Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs was bidding for an unprecedented four-timer in the feature chase of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.

A year ago he defeated stablemates Grangeclare West and Fact To File, with subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin finishing fourth.

This time he was in the van from the start but ultimately was no match for a rejuvenated Fact To File who stretched right away to win by five lengths from Gaelic Warrior in second with Galopin Des Champs, another eight and half lengths back, just holding on from Firefox for third.

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Inothewayurthinkin produced another hugely disappointing effort and well beaten when taking a heavy fall at the last fence.

Winning jockey Mark Walsh, who is set to lose his job as JP McManus's first choice jockey in Ireland at the end of the season to Harry Cobden, was riding his fourth Grade 1 victory in two days following successes on Kaid d'Authie, Majborough and Narciso Has.

Fact To File is not entered in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but can be supplemented, and is 4-5 favourite for the Ryanair Chase.

Mullins said: "That was a hell of a performance both from Mark and the horse. He jumped from fence to fence. It was something to watch.

"He was withdrawn from the Gold Cup but he can always go in as a supplementary entry. Last year's winner was. Mark said there was more in the tank."

He added: "Gaelic Warrior ran too free. I thought he had every chance of winning down to the fifth last but his exertions early on in the race told. He can go either Ryanair but he definitely stays a trip as well.

"Galopin Des Champs ran a terrific race. Maybe the exertions at Christmas just told against. He'll have a much longer break now for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. He will go there in good order I hope too."

In a rejigged Gold Cup betting market Fact To File is 5-2 favourite with Ladbrokes with Jango Baie 4-1, The Jukebox Man 6-1 and Gaelic Warrior 7-1.


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