PUNCHESTOWN 17:25

All 9 ran.

Time: 6m 26.5s Closing Sectional: (3.45f): 49.1s (108.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 100.5%

Nearly twice as many runners as in the 2023 Punchestown Gold Cup but the outcome and factors that played into it were almost identical as an off-colour Galopin des Champs had to settle for second behind a rival who has been a thorn in his side like no other amidst the favourite's stay at the head of the staying chase division, a bunched finish featuring rivals the runner-up - and winner for that matter - have put firmly in their place more than once between them in prior meetings painting an accurate picture of a piece of classic muddling end-of-season form.

FASTORSLOW (FR) put his Cheltenham mishap straight behind him as he lowered the colours of the division standard-setter in this for the second Punchestown in succession, the emphasis on speed that unfolded in a falsely-run affair on drying ground enabling his speed to shine through, not that his old rival Galopin des Champs - now 3-2 down in their clashes when both complete - was at his best in any case; he made it clear right away he was full of zest and had tanked his way into a narrow lead when Conflated went badly left 3 out, still pressed by that rival until the next before he opened up, establishing an advantage the rallying second couldn't claw back.

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (FR) remains the best staying chaser around for all another trip to Punchestown - following an extra run this season to boot - on the heels of a complete display in the Cheltenham Gold Cup proved beyond him, conquered by Fastorslow in this for the second year in a row and third time in total, his sole verdict over that rival when the pair have completed and run close to form a 4½-length verdict in the Irish Gold Cup that probably paints the most accurate picture from their clashes of their true standing against each other and on the staying scene as a whole as well; what's more, the strong impression he gives nowadays is of a chaser at his very best on testing ground, not jumping so assuredly (whether linked to conditions or not) as he failed to hold his early lead and rallying all too steadily having found himself flat-footed as the pace began to lift on the home turn; he'll still be a mere 9-y-o at next season's spring festivals but rarely in recent times has the division had such a strong look courtesy of the wealth of high-calibre novices set to transition into open company in 2024/25.

HEWICK (IRE) predictably made a better fist of things back chasing, not obviously any worse or better for blinkers but looking right back in the form that had carried him to a last-gasp King George success either way, typically rallying well to claim a place from the last having hit 2 out when making his effort in the straight, the test barely enough in truth.

GENTLEMANSGAME has stood his racing well this spring considering how little of it he's had overall for his age, running better each time in taking in all 3 of the major festivals, Blackmore back on for the first time during that spell at this one; settled in touch on inner, ridden when mistake 2 out, stayed on.

APPRECIATE IT (IRE) confirmed he's still got a high-class effort in him on his day, the greater accent on speed back under less testing conditions given another try at this trip getting him closer than might reasonably have been expected on the balance of this season's form, all despite having jumped left a couple of times early on and then hit 2 out when first mustering his effort brought wide into the straight; it's doubtful he'll back this up, however.

CONFLATED (IRE) shaped as if still in good form for all he missed out on a placing in a Grade 1 for the first time this spring, the cumulative toll of jumping left (often markedly so) throughout as he made the running - as well as a blunder 2 out when back pressing the winner - seeing him wilt out of the frame at the last.

JOURNEY WITH ME (IRE) failed to make the required step forward; patiently ridden, hit third, effort when pushed along straight, awkward last, no further impression.

CAPODANNO (FR) possibly found the race coming too soon out again just 18 days on from Aintree, none to the other handful or so to have run out of the 'National' having shown their form since, either; raced off the pace, typically made mistakes, lost ground 4 out, no response.

CORACH RAMBLER (IRE) ended his season on an even lower note, a nasty experience bidding to defend his Grand National crown perhaps leaving a mark turned out again quickly, more sluggish than he's ever looked and jumping worse as well, his strong finish nowhere to be seen (tailed off when pulled up straight).