The 2024 Savills Chase: runner-by-runner guide and big-race verdict

Seconds out, round two. The first clash between Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File last month was a humdinger and the rematch between the steeplechasing heavyweights in the Savills Chase on Saturday is something to savour.

Sequels can often be a letdown (I’ve yet to encounter anyone who has a good word to say about Highlander II) but this one may even be better than the original, with no issues over race fitness on this occasion plus an extra half-mile to be tackled.

Standby, too, for parts III (Irish Gold Cup) and IV (Cheltenham Gold Cup) and maybe even Part V in the Punchestown Gold Cup. Make sure you’ve got plenty of supplies of popcorn in your cupboards.

Willie Mullins trains the pair - plus three others in the field - but the Christmas programme isn't going quite the way he would have planned. On Friday, he had only one winner from 32 runners (11 of them 5/1 or shorter), having had two winners from 15 runners on Boxing Day (seven beaten at 4/1 or shorter).

Those stats will give the others hope that the big two are not invincible.

The highlight of the four-day meeting at Leopardstown over Christmas will also feature several of the sport’s other leading lights. Here’s a guide to the final field of nine. 

Official Rating: 163. Grade One wins: 2.  Odds: 50-1 

The 2022 Savills winner has not got his head in front since and was booked for a supporting role when blundering away his jockey at the final fence last year. 

It will be a shock if he regains his crown, especially given his tame exploits this season. His connections dipped their toes into cross-country waters with him last time, but Conflated didn’t seem to fancy it. He’s not going to be an easy horse to place over the coming months. 

RaceiQ clue: Often gives away a lot of lengths with his jumping, although even by his standards his cross-country run last time (lost 21.51 lengths) was extreme. His Jump Index score was 4.8. 

the stars aligned.

Official Rating: 169. Grade One wins: 3.  Odds: 7-4 

Watch a full replay of the John Durkan

There was plenty of speculation he would be supplemented for the King George but instead of running away from Galopin Des Champs, owner JP McManus is clearly intent on running towards him. 

Fact To File has quickly established himself as being among the best around, landing a vintage running of the John Durkan at Punchestown last month on what was only his fifth run over Jumps. He had Galopin Des Champs back in third that day after jumping the final fence upsides him. 

We know he’s also effective over 3m – he won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase with something to spare at Cheltenham in March – and that his jumping is assured when it matters most. 

He's 2/2 over fences at Leopardstown, leaving clock watchers drooling with his exhibition at the Dublin Racing Festival in early February. There are no obvious chinks in his armour. 

RaceiQ clue: Gained a crucial 6.48 lengths with his jumping in the John Durkan, being best of the field at each of the final three fences. Attacked the second last at 32.19mph. 

Official Rating: 177. Grade One wins: 8.  Odds: 2-1 

Possession is nine-tenths of the law, so they say, and Galopin Des Champs is the Savills Chase title-holder after his jaw-dropping 23-length triumph in last year’s renewal. 

He headed into the race with some wondering whether he was losing his grip as the No 1 staying chaser around after a comeback defeat in the John Durkan. Flash forward 12 months and the same is being muttered about the two-time Gold Cup hero. 

Those who adhere to the adage of horses for courses will probably see it differently. Galopin Des Champs has lost his past four races at right-handed Punchestown, whereas he’s chalked up five successive victories at left-handed Leopardstown (by an aggregate of more than 66 lengths, with four of them in Grade One company). 

Moreover, this strong stayer’s defeat behind Fact To File came over 2m 4f and his preparation had been hindered by a small setback in the build-up. Moving back up to 3m seems sure to suit him, and you would imagine he has derived more benefit from the run than his conqueror. 

The scales seem tilted in his favour, although the RaceiQ data tells us he can lose lengths in the air. And we don’t know where Fact To File’s ceiling might be. 

RaceiQ clue: He may be a relentless galloper but has still yet to register a Jump Index score of more than 7.9. That personal best came in this race last year. 

Official Rating: 160. Grade One wins: 0.  Odds: 50-1 

It was at this meeting two years ago that the lightly raced grey, formerly a smart staying hurdler, won a 2m 5f beginners’ chase by eight lengths from I Am Maximus. 

Getting Gentlemansgame onto the racecourse has since been something of a challenge but there have been flashes of his powers. For instance, he upstaged Bravemansgame in the 2023 Charlie Hall Chase and was a fine fourth in the Punchestown Gold Cup in May, when under four lengths behind Galopin Des Champs. 

That last-named effort represented a career-best and suggests he’s worth his place in this line-up, although a 241-day absence surely heightens the eight-year-old’s task. 

RaceiQ clue: We've got limited info on Gentlemansgame because he's so lightly raced, but he's yet to register a Jump Index score higher than 7.5 and up to now has not gained much ground, if any, with his leaping.

Official Rating: 159. Grade One wins: 0.  Odds: 40-1 

He went into last month’s John Durkan 2/2 over fences and with plenty believing he could make his presence felt. However, he faded badly and was eventually pulled up after helping force the pace with Galopin Des Champs. 

He is difficult to entertain to judge by that run, but much better was expected of him – he went off at just 12-1 – and his two wins before that reverse read well. The eight-year-old had beaten Heart Wood and Corbetts Cross when winning on his chasing bow at Naas, and mastered Corbetss Cross and Flooring Porter when winning the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at this meeting last year. Don’t write him off. 

RaceiQ clue: Was awarded a jump score of 8 here 12 months ago, when he gained 8.32 lengths. 

Official Rating: 154. Grade One wins: 0.  Odds: 40-1 

His owners, Robcour, also have Gerri Colombe and Gentlemansgame engaged, and this lad looks the weak link among their trio. 

He’s likeable enough and has finished out of the first three just once in 13 races but is simply not up to this level. 

He probably should have beaten Croke Park in the Drinmore last time (the winner got the best tactical ride in a messy affair), having previously made the most of the 15lb that Corbetts Cross had to concede him in a Listed affair at Wexford. 

His efforts last term did include a wide-margin handicap win at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival, but that came off a rating of 136. 

RaceiQ clue: Clocked almost 35mph in the closing stages last time but losing 5.58 lengths with his jumping ended up costing him. 

Official Rating: 169. Grade One wins: 1.  Odds: 12-1. 

Last season’s stunning winner would add another level of intrigue but keep in mind that his season is going to revolve around a return to Aintree in April. 

With that in mind, his races beforehand should be viewed as building blocks. I’d imagine those closest to him will be delighted if he puts in a clear round and picks up a bit of prize-money without being exposed to a tough time. 

He finished a distant fourth to Galopin Des Champs in last year’s Savills Chase and was also a distant third behind him in the Irish Gold Cup on his next start. It would not be a big surprise if similar awaits. His connections will not be grumbling if his handicap mark eases a bit before the Grand National weights are published in February. 

RaceiQ clue: Surrendered 14.66 lengths with his jumping in the Savills last year. Routinely gives away ground with his leaping. 

Official Rating: 158. Grade One wins: 1.  Odds: 40-1. 

Many were clearly well briefed about the way Gavin Cromwell was thinking heading into the Cheltenham Festival because this gelding went off 13-8 for the Kim Muir despite having been thumped on his handicap bow the previous month. 

Those who followed the cash were rewarded and, having flicked the Vs at the handicapper, Inothewayurthinkin then won a Grade One at Aintree a few weeks later. 

He looks all about stamina and last month’s John Durkan, over about 2m 3f, never seemed likely to suit. He was easy to back and trailed home last of the seven finishers. 

Moving back up to 3m should help, but almost certainly not enough for him to take top billing. The Grand National looks a likely long-term aim. 

RaceiQ clue: His Finishing Speed Percentage (FSP) last time was 95.65%, indicating he was going nowhere in the closing stages. Gained 16 lengths with his jumping in the Kim Muir, but only after a sticky start. 

Official Rating: 158. Grade One wins: 1.  Odds: 100-1. 

He’s a smart cookie and thrived in the spring when upped in trip last season, finishing third in the Irish Grand National before landing the bet365 Gold Trophy at Sandown. 

Those efforts indicate that Minella Crooner could develop into a Grand National contender this season and it may be that his races beforehand will be merely vehicles to keep him ticking over. 

He never looked like making much impression when fifth in the John Durkan and it’s likely he will again be making up the numbers. 

RaceiQ clue: The metrics reveal he’s a solid jumper. Was awarded a score of 7.9 last time and he managed 8.2 at Navan last season. 

Galopin Des Champs seems in his element at Leopardstown and moving back up in trip can help him turn the tables on Fact To File. The each-way alternative to the pair looks Gentlemansgame, who wasn't beaten far in the Punchestown Gold Cup and yet is 33/1.