The brilliant Galopin Des Champs took his record to six from six over fences at Leopardstown with a repeat victory in the Savills Chase as the feature race from day three of the Christmas meeting was shown live on ITV Racing.
Beaten by stablemate Fact To File on his seasonal return in the John Durkan at Punchestown, the two-time Gold Cup hero reversed the form here and looked better the further he went, pulling away from Fact To File in second with Gentlemansgame further behind in third and Heart Wood plugging on for fourth.
Galopin Des Champs is now odds-on to secure a third successive Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph in March, with jockey Paul Townend riding his 21st top-level winner of a glittering 2024.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: “That was some performance. He put in some fantastic jumps and to win the way he did after giving the other horse a lead the whole way was one of the best performances I have ever seen around here.
“It’s frightening to think he could still be improving and hopefully he hasn’t left his whole season behind him, but what a great day and a great atmosphere with people all around the parade ring.
“He’s done it the hard way and jumped out in front today.”
Of the runner-up, he added: “Fact To File ran a little bit keen. We might change riding instructions for him in future. If he settles he can stay further. He stayed well today, but he’s come up against an exceptional horse.”