Seconds out for the latest chapter in an improbable rivalry between a modern great and his unlikely nemesis
A year after an improbable rivalry was born the latest chapter in a compelling saga between one of staying chasing's modern greats and an unlikely nemesis returns to the scene of its origins.
Galopin Des Champs marched into Punchestown 12 months ago expected to confirm his newfound status as the heavyweight title-holder only to be relieved of his undisputed tag when Fastorslow caught him with a sucker punch. At that point, bar his dramatic capitulation in the 2022 Turners Novices' Chase, Willie Mullins' freshly crowned Gold Cup victor hadn't been beaten in six completed chase starts.
Often during that sequence his performances had been little short of intergalactic and the emphatic manner in which he ultimately dispensed with the challenge of Bravemansgame at Cheltenham last March was suitably definitive. The encore at Punchestown was meant to be a coronation, a lap of honour to celebrate jump racing's flamboyant next big thing. Not so.
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- 3.17 Listowel: 'He's been training well' - Joseph O'Brien runs three in race named in honour of Pat Smullen
- 4.40 Hamilton: 'He's a promising horse' - key quotes and analysis for a competitive staying handicap
- 5.10 Hamilton: 'He's in career-best form and holds the course record' - quotes and analysis for a valuable sprint handicap
- 3.05 Chantilly: 'We believe he has enormous potential' - can another star emerge in the Prix du Jockey Club?
- Watch: Paul Kealy, Johnny Dineen and Nick Luck preview the Derby on The Morning Post
- Champions League final double odds boost: get 100-1 for Dortmund to win OR 40-1 for Real Madrid
- Epsom Derby betting offer: get £40 in free bets with Ladbrokes for the big race at Epsom
- Champions League final odds boost: claim Sky Bet's exclusive 50-1 odds for 1+ shots on target during Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid
- Jude Bellingham betting offer: get enhanced odds of 40-1 for Bellingham to have 1+ shots on target in the Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid Champions League final