There has been a sizeable shock at Punchestown this evening, with 20/1 shot Fastorslow upsetting the odds to take home the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup in dramatic fashion.
Despite a very talented field in the race, few could look beyond Galopin Des Champs in the buildup to the showpiece event. The Willie Mullins trained horse had been unbeaten in each of its starts over fences, including in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Galopin Des Champs would go off at 4/11 in the race, despite the presence of Bravemansgame and Envoi Allen on the card.
However, none of those three would manage to pull off the win. That honour fell to Martin Brassil trained Fastorslow, with jockey JJ Slevin perfectly timing a late charge to secure the victory in dramatic fashion.
Fastorslow (20-1), who finished second to subsequent Grand National winner Corach Rambler in the Ultima at Cheltenham, shocks the big guns in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup on just his fifth start over fences. pic.twitter.com/y4r2hOkCqo
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) April 26, 2023
Speaking to RTÉ after the race, Slevin summed up how special of a performance this was from the seven-year old.
Winning rider JJ Slevin reacts to the win of Fastorslow in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. pic.twitter.com/J16WJTy0UH
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) April 26, 2023
Martin always had a lot of faith in the horse. He's some trainer isn't he?..
He was running over over two miles and wasn't struggling over that trip, so we were always wondering if he went to three miles could he do something like this. It's unbelievable.
While this is a huge day for Martin Brassil and Fastorslow, there will certainly be a sense of disappointment for many that Galopin Des Champs could not continue what had been a remarkable start record up to this point in its career.
Paul Townend could never really get the horse going in the manner we have become accustomed to seeing, leaving the door open for Fastorslow to pull off the upset.
They certainly made the most of the opportunity.
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