"Awesome" Galopin Des Champs raised the roof by powering to a Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup hat-trick at Leopardstown.

Fans cheered and punched the air when the Willie Mullins-trained favourite produced his trademark late burst for the Grade One prize. With one fence to jump, stablemates Fact To File, Grangeclare West and Embassy Gardens were all queuing up to challenge.

But dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs - 4-6 with William Hill to make it three in March - knuckled down for Paul Townend and sent the crowd wild.

"He has to be the best chaser I've trained," said Mullins, who spent 20 years trying to crack the Festival feature before Al Boum Photo obliged in 2019. "He grabs races by the scruff of the neck and fights off everyone - he's awesome."

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After top level strikes for Mullins on Arkle hope Majborough and novice hurdler Final Demand, Townend was in a confident mood. Two lengths clear on Galopin Des Champs at halfway, the jockey stacked his rivals up on the final turn and lured them into a battle.

However as soon as they got onto his tail, the 1-2 market leader was away and gone, stretching out by four-and-three-quarter lengths.

"When I jumped the last ditch I heard the crowd. I couldn't believe the roar," Townend said. "He's so simple to ride and his turbo charge sets him apart from the others."

Handstands (100-3) is likely to swerve Cheltenham for Aintree after edging past Jango Baie in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase. The principals were locked in battle up Sandown Park's final climb and a photo finish favoured Ben Pauling's charge by a short-head.

It provided the handler with a welcome boost after another smart young chaser The Jukebox Man was sidelined by a season-ending injury.

"This is a real star," said fan Tim Radford, buoyed by a 7-0 win over Brighton before Handstands sported his silks.

"I never thought we'd find another one like him."