Irish Gold Cup tips and runners guide to Leopardstown 3.35

Galopin Des Champs is set to face foe Fastorslow when defending the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup crown at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders represent half of the field for the feature on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival at 15:35 as 2022 winner Conflated and Irish Grand National hero I Am Maximus complete the line up.

Fastorslow is two from two against Galopin Des Champs after beating his rival in last year’s Punchestown Gold Cup and John Durkan, although Willie Mullins’ stable star bounced back to form when blitzing his rivals in the Savills Chase last time out.

The latest Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.

Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup verdict

Timeform: GALOPIN DES CHAMPS looked back to his scintillating best here over Christmas and if in a similar mood again he should turn the tables on Fastorslow, who has inflicted 2 Punchestown defeats on last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup runners and riders

The following horses have been declared for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup 2024.

Conflated

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jack Kennedy Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Won this and the Savills here in 2022. Creditable 1¼ lengths third of 4 to Gerri Colombe in Down Royal Grade 1 in November but he’d been left trailing by Galopin des Champs when unseating at the last in this season’s Savills.

Fastorslow

Trainer: Martin Brassil Jockey: JJ Slevin Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Rounded off last season with a defeat of Galopin des Champs at Punchestown and had too much for that reopposing rival again in the John Durkan back at Punchestown on his reappearance. Unplaced in 3 previous Leopardstown starts but bit premature to suggest this place doesn’t suit him.

Galopin Des Champs

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Started 2023 with win in this race and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Suffered short-priced defeats to Fastorslow at Punchestown on his next 2 starts but he produced a performance of rare quality when demolishing his rivals in the Savills here over Christmas. Very hard to beat if in that form.

I Am Maximus

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Jody McGarvey Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Last season’s Irish Grand National winner. Improved to bag the Grade 1 Drinmore on his Fairyhouse reappearance but he was 31 lengths adrift of reopposing stablemate Galopin des Champs when fourth in the Savills here over Christmas.