The world of horse racing has been treated to some fantastic races at Leopardstown Racecourse. Some horses had fantastic season openers at the famed track, while others received a reality check before their remaining 2024 campaign. Recently at Leopardstown, Fastorslow competed against Galopin Des Champs in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase. The G1 race was a sight to see, but only one horse can be named the winner.

Both horses gave it their all. But in a dramatic duel, Galopin Des Champs prevailed over Fastorslow to win the race. Trainer Martin Brassil was surprised by his top horse’s performance in the season opener. However, Brassil confessed openly in an interview that he had great expectations for his future after seeing his horse give the Cheltenham champion a run for his money on the course.

His road to Cheltenham

Martin Brassil is eagerly anticipating the next Cheltenham Festival, much like a number of other horse racing trainers. Last year, Galopin Des Champs won the Grade 1 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase. However, it was entertaining to see the same horse that dominated Cheltenham have a little trouble against Fastorslow. Since the horse hadn’t competed since November 26, 2023, Brassil expressed his satisfaction with the horse in an interview with Irish Racing, saying, “We were very happy with the run.”

Also, as Martin Brassil points out, Galopin Des Champs had the unbeatable speed of the competition. At the moment, Brassil is eager to concentrate on getting the horse to Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, where they will aim for the Gold Cup. Fastorslow is a 4-1 second favorite; however, Brassil adds, saying, “I’m sure there will be a lot more competition when we get to the race.” He continues by saying that every time he enters Cheltenham, his horse always has a “positive” outcome. Fastorslow has consistently delivered, according to Brassil, and they will be concentrating on the Cheltenham Festival after his second-place stint at Leopardstown.

The noticeable pace of Fastorslow

Spectators flocked to Leopardstown Racecourse for the highly anticipated Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1). All horses must be five years old or older to compete in the race, which had a course length of 3m½f and 17 obstacles. All eyes were on the significant clash between Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow as four horses prepared to race for the G1 event.

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After the final fence, things seemed to heat up significantly, making the sprint to the finish a nail-biter. As Conflated lost its rider at the last fence, I Am Maximus, which had been well behind the rest of the field, caught up and passed it. As Galopin Des Champs attempted to clear the last fence, Fastorslow got an opportunity due to a late mistake by the horse to race it side-by-side. The Cheltenham champion won the race in spectacular fashion, demonstrating his mastery of the closing stretch’s emphasis on speed. This second-place finish by Fastorslow, nevertheless, only served to highlight the high expectations for Brassil’s horse at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.

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