Grade 1 win for Top 40 entry The New Lion

Following a couple of subdued days over the Festive period, Willie Mullins inevitably bounced back with 4 winners (from 17 runners) on Saturday, including two at the highest level. Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs won the Savills Chase for a second consecutive year with another imperious display as he emphatically turned the tables on stablemate and young pretender Fact To File following their meeting in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown last month. Positively ridden and returning to his optimum trip, Paul Townend's mount made all the running jumping well throughout before quickening away after the last. A seven and a half lengths winner, the eight year old looked every bit as good as he did last season securing his tenth Grade 1 win in the process. 

Newbury also staged Grade 1 action and Top 40 entry The New Lion maintained his unbeaten record with a most impressive four and three quarters of a length win in the Challow Novices' Hurdle. Given a confident ride, the Kayf Tara gelding was quick and fluent over his obstacles and toyed with his six opponents. Harry Skelton even had time to switch his mount towards the near side approaching the last before hitting the front soon afterwards. It is possible to argue his opponents either weren't good enough or didn't run their race - favourite Regent's Stroll was much too keen early on, while Grade 2 Bill Joyce would prefer slower ground - but either way, the Skelton trainer winner was in a different league and now heads the ante-post market for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. The five year old just needs to end the Challow Hurdle hoodoo now. He is a terrific prospect though.

Declan Phelan was once again very much on the money on Saturday. He highlighted winning pointer Kovanis (Evens) in the Christmas Special and the former Gerald Quinn trained youngster won on his Rules debut for Gordon Elliott in the concluding bumper at Leopardstown. A grey gelding by Tunis who was acquired for £330,000 at the Cheltenham November Sale, he looked a strong stayer edging out the Henry De Bromhead trained Global Submission by three parts of a length. Given the fact the four year old won his point on the 12th October and went through the sales ring on the 15th November, it was a fair effort to win here. He has achieved plenty in a short space of time.

A few days after Potters Charm's Grade 1 win in the Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day, Declan's Irish Pointers section was at it again unearthing another potential star. Final Demand looked just that as he galloped his rivals into submission in the two miles five maiden hurdle at Limerick. The Walk In The Park gelding was an expensive store (€230,000) and was an easy winner of his sole point before being bought privately. Trained by Willie Mullins, he took charge soon after the fourth last before dominating thereafter. A fifteen lengths scorer, the five year old has Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle written all over him. Expect him to head to Leopardstown for the Grade 1 novice hurdle over 2m 6f at the DRF.