'There's every chance the Irish Gold Cup is next' - Galopin set for Leopardstown

Willie Mullins has given the strongest indication yet that the red-hot Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs will take in the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown next month after expressing himself very happy with steeplechasing's rising star following his emphatic success in the John Durkan Memorial Chase on his first start in open company.

But for a dramatic late exit in the Turners Novices' Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival when a dozen lengths clear of Bob Olinger, Galopin Des Champs would still be unbeaten over fences and he is now a best-priced 7-4 with Coral and Ladbrokes to hand his trainer a third win in jump racing's ultimate prize.

The exciting seven-year-old enhanced his soaring reputation with a flawless comeback in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown before Christmas when beating Fakir D'Oudairies by 13 lengths, and Mullins thinks the time is right to step him up to three miles for the first time over fences in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 4.