Savills Chase
Grade 1, Leopardstown 14:30
€175,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
3m, Class 1  
Sunday 28th December 2025

1 Affordale Fury 7/1
2 I Am Maximus 50/1
3 Galopin Des Champs 6/5F
11 ran NR: Croke Park Distances: 2½l, ¾l, 3l
Time: 6m 22.70s (slow by 11.70s)

Affordale Fury showed courage and resolve in abundance to claim Grade One honours, rallying bravely to deny more celebrated rivals in a stirring finish.

The spotlight was firmly on Galopin Des Champs as the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero made his long-awaited seasonal return, sent off the 6-5 favourite and travelling ominously well for much of the extended three-mile contest. For a moment turning for home, it appeared the script might be written for a triumphant comeback.

Affordale Fury, however, had other ideas. Prominent throughout under Sam Ewing, he briefly surrendered the lead as Galopin Des Champs swept past, but he dug deep approaching the final fence. Finding generously when it mattered most, the Noel Meade-trained runner edged back in front at the last and refused to yield.

Ewing still had work to do in the closing stages as I Am Maximus, 2024 Grand National winner, came charging late, but Affordale Fury held him at bay by two and a half lengths, with Galopin Des Champs three-quarters of a length further back in third.

It was a performance rich in determination as much as quality, and one that has not gone unnoticed by the layers. Affordale Fury has been cut to 10-1 from 50-1 with Paddy Power for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, firmly establishing himself as a contender on the biggest stage.

Christmas Steeplechase
€175,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m, Class 1
11 ran
Going: Good to Yielding

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Affordale Fury 7 11-10 Noel Meade Sam Ewing 7/1
2 2½ I Am Maximus 9 11-10 W P Mullins Mr Derek O'Connor 50/1
3 ¾ Galopin Des Champs 9 11-10 W P Mullins Paul Townend 6/5F
4 3 Grangeclare West 9 11-10 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 33/1
5 2½ Monty's Star 8 11-10 Henry De Bromhead Darragh O'Keeffe 28/1
6 ½ Fastorslow 9 11-10 Martin Brassil J J Slevin 9/2
7 4½ Lecky Watson 7 11-10 W P Mullins Sean O'Keeffe 20/1
8 7½ Stellar Story 8 11-10 Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan 33/1
9 20 Inothewayurthinkin 7 11-10 Gavin Cromwell Mark Walsh 13/2
PU Gerri Colombe 9 11-10 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 12/1
SU Champ Kiely 9 11-10 W P Mullins Harry Cobden 11/1
NR Croke Park 7 11-10 Gordon Elliott NON RUNNER

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