Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 6m 28.1s

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Selected odds by:

Conflated³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 164| CD

20/1

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.

Form: 13P-53U

Fastorslow^t⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: M Brassil| OR: 168| D

7/2

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.

Form: 2/5521-1

Galopin Des Champs³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 180| CD

1/3

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.

Form: 1112-31

I Am Maximus³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J S McGarvey| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158

14/1

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.

Form: 2441-14

Forecasts

Galopin Des Champs (1/3), Fastorslow (7/2), I Am Maximus (14/1), Conflated (20/1)

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.