14:30 Leopardstown (IRE) 28 Dec 2025
Savills Chase
Grade 1 | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner €105,000 - 11 ran
tracked leader, led 3rd, jumped right at times, increased lead before 11th, not fluent 12th, reduced advantage before 2 out, headed after 2 out, rallied to lead before last where jumped right, stayed on well run-in
rear, 8th before 10th, headway before 3 out, stayed on in 3rd last where slightly hampered, kept on in 2nd closing stages, never nearer
prominent, in touch before 8th, 4th before 10th, improved to 2nd 2 out, led after 2 out, headed before last, kept on run-in, dropped to 3rd closing stages, kept on same pace close home
towards rear, slightly hampered after 4th, rear of mid-division 6th, 7th before 10th, headway after 2 out, 4th last, kept on without threatening run-in
mid-division, rear of mid-division 6th, 6th before 10th, dropped to 8th and no impression entering straight, kept on run-in to 5th close home
prominent, took closer order after 7th, 3rd before 10th, improved to 2nd after 4 out, 3rd 2 out, lost place before last where not fluent, no extra run-in
mid-division, not fluent 9th, 5th before 10th, not fluent 11th, 5th last, weakened closing stages
soon led narrowly, headed 3rd and tracked leader, slight mistake 5th, 2nd before 10th, 3rd after 4 out, dropped to 4th 2 out, lost place last where not fluent, weakened closing stages
towards rear, not fluent 8th, 9th before 10th where not fluent, weakened before last
in touch, mid-division after 4th where clipped heels and slipped up
towards rear, dropped to rear after 6th, not fluent 7th, detached after 8th, pulled up after 9th
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €297.92 (1, 8) |
| Tricast | €707.94 (1, 8, 5) |
| Win | €8.40 (1) |
| Place | €2.20 (1), €5.00 (8), €1.20 (5) |
| Exacta | €383.90 (1, 8) |
| Trifecta | €1,632.70 (1, 8, 5) |
Expert Analysis
This field contained three staying chasers rated 170 or higher, but it was one of the lower-rated (but progressive) ones that came out on top, Affordale Fury effectively making all around the outer in a race that produced a bunched finish with just over nine lengths covering the first six home.
AFFORDALE FURY had run just thrice in his first two seasons over fences, but is making up for lost time now, this his fourth start of the season, improving with each one. There is a temptation to put this win down to fitness and track position, but he looks like a horse that would be best suited to a lead as he quickly came back for more when Galopin Des Champs headed him after two out. Young horses that run well in this race and the Irish Gold Cup in February often do well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where the stiffer test would suit. He would also prefer slower ground.
I AM MAXIMUS has never run well at this track, so it was encouraging to see him post such a good effort on his second start of the season. All roads lead to Aintree, though he could pick up a good race beforehand.
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS has been the staying chase supremo over the past three seasons and put in an encouraging return after missing the John Durkan with a setback. He should step forward from this, the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival likely his next start, though could be vulnerable to younger legs at Cheltenham in March.
GRANGECLARE WEST stepped up on his run in the John Durkan and his main aim is likely the Grand National where he finished third last season.
MONTY’S STAR has tended to struggle in this grade and ran as well as could be expected. He is another that likely has the Grand National as a target.
FASTORSLOW was solid in the market and came forward from his John Durkan run though never looked like winning. Perhaps he needs another run given he missed most of last season but is rising 10 and may be on the downgrade.
LECKY WATSON was one of the best staying novice chasers of last season, but they look a weak crop, and he has yet to hit form this term.
STELLAR STORY is another of last season's novices and he shaped a bit better than the result, perhaps unsuited by racing down the inner for much of the race, his jockey easing off when his chance was gone in the straight. He is suited by testing ground which he hasn’t had in a while.
INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN failed to come forward from his John Durkan run, neither jumping nor travelling with any fluency. He was still in touch leaving the back straight but was soon beaten and has a bit to prove now though a revival at Cheltenham would not surprise. His poor run was preceded by a market drift.
GERRI COLOMBE was having his first run in 421 days and was pulled up around halfway.
CHAMP KIELY slipped up early in the race.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 14:30 Leopardstown 28th Dec 2025
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Good - Yielding | 9 | Galopin Des Champs | 8 | 11 10 | - | 3111-23 | 34 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 5/ 6 | 6:17.20 | |
| 2023 | Soft | 8 | Galopin Des Champs | 7 | 11 10 | - | 11112-3 | 32 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 6/ 4 | 6:34.50 | |
| 2022 | Soft | 7 | Conflated | 8 | 11 10 | - | 211F2-3 | 53 days | G Elliott (70 miles) | Jack Kennedy | 2/ 1 | 6:24.01 | |
| 2021 | Yielding | 8 | Galvin | 7 | 11 12 | - | 1111-12 | 59 days | G Elliott (70 miles) | Davy Russell | 7/ 1 | 6:23.60 | |
| 2020 | Yielding | 14 | A Plus Tard | 6 | 11 12 | - | 13213-2 | 50 days | H De Bromhead (105 miles) | Darragh O'Keeffe | 15/ 2 | 6:25.70 | |
| 2019 | Soft | 8 | Delta Work | 6 | 11 10 | - | 1113-14 | 56 days | G Elliott (70 miles) | Jack Kennedy | 11/ 2 | 6:18.40 | |
| 2018 | Good | 11 | Kemboy | 6 | 11 10 | - | 14F11-1 | 43 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | D J Mullins | 8/ 1 | 6:06.50 | |
| 2017 | Yielding | 12 | Road To Respect | 6 | 11 10 | - | 2211-12 | 54 days | N Meade (70 miles) | Sean Flanagan | 8/ 1 | 6:08.40 | |
| 2016 | Yielding | 13 | Outlander | 8 | 11 10 | - | F2-22F2 | 17 days | G Elliott (70 miles) | Jack Kennedy | 11/ 1 | 6:02.40 | |
| 2015 | Heavy | 6 | Don Poli | 6 | 11 10 | - | 2111-51 | 23 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Bryan Cooper | 4/ 6 | 6:35.90 | |
| 2014 | Soft - Heavy | 9 | Road To Riches | 7 | 11 10 | - | 41-2121 | 57 days | N Meade (70 miles) | Bryan Cooper | 4/ 1 | 6:33.90 | |
| 2013 | Yielding - Soft | 9 | Bobs Worth | 8 | 11 10 | - | 32111-6 | 35 days | N J Henderson | B J Geraghty | 11/ 4 | 6:17.10 | |
| 2012 | Soft | 9 | Tidal Bay | 11 | 11 10 | - | 2541-12 | 27 days | P F Nicholls | Ruby Walsh | 9/ 2 | 6:27.60 | |
| 2011 | Good | 9 | Synchronised | 8 | 11 10 | - | 613-P73 | 39 days | J & A O'Neill | A P McCoy | 8/ 1 | 6:19.50 | |
| 2010 | Soft - Heavy | 12 | Pandorama | 7 | 11 10 | - | 21111-P | 31 days | N Meade (70 miles) | Paul Carberry | 7/ 2 | 6:30.00 | |
| 2009 | Yielding | 11 | What A Friend | 6 | 11 10 | - | P1161-2 | 31 days | P F Nicholls | Sam Thomas | 11/ 2 | 6:33.70 | |
| 2008 | Soft | 9 | Exotic Dancer | 8 | 11 10 | - | 2353-23 | 36 days | J & A O'Neill | A P McCoy | 4/ 1 | 6:25.20 | |
| 2007 | Good | 6 | Denman | 7 | 11 10 | - | 11111-1 | 27 days | P F Nicholls | Ruby Walsh | 4/ 9 | 6:30.50 | |
| 2006 | Heavy | 6 | The Listener | 7 | 11 10 | - | 111FF-2 | 27 days | R Alner | Daryl Jacob | 7/ 1 | 6:43.00 | |
| 2005 | Good to Soft | 5 | Beef Or Salmon | 9 | 11 12 | - | 312P-92 | 39 days | M Hourigan (129 miles) | Paul Carberry | 9/ 10 | 6:23.10 |
