Supersub Ewing Stuns Leopardstown in Savills Chase Masterclass
4 minutes Affordale Fury lands a late market plunge to topple Gold Cup icon, Galloping Des Champs.
Sam Ewing continued his remarkable run as racing’s most effective stand-in by delivering a Savills Chase shock aboard Affordale Fury, executing Noel Meade’s daring gamble to perfection and dethroning dual Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs in a dramatic Grade 1 at Leopardstown.
Meade’s confidence in Affordale Fury had been quietly growing for some time. Denied a Galway Hurdle triumph in controversial fashion during the summer, the veteran trainer was adamant his horse was thriving and told owner Philip Polly as much in the days leading up to the race. The market reacted late but decisively, with Affordale Fury collapsing from 33-1 on Saturday evening to 7-1 at the off, having still been available at 14-1 earlier in the day.
The plunge was no coincidence. Tom Segal had flagged the horse as a major player, following up his Welsh National success with Haiti Couleurs by nailing another Pricewise winner in the Savills Chase. The betting move proved fully justified.
Ewing rode with confidence from the outset, engaging in a tactical duel with Paul Townend aboard the long-time Leopardstown favourite. Galopin Des Champs appeared to be following a familiar script when moving into the lead two out, threatening a third straight success in the €175,000 contest. However, Ewing never panicked, keeping close to the reigning champion while conserving enough for the final push.
Affordale Fury had been edging right throughout, placing him on Galopin Des Champs’ outside as they approached the last. Ewing regained the lead before the fence and once in front, his mount refused to yield. Despite a late rally from 50-1 shot and Grand National winner I Am Maximus, Affordale Fury stayed on strongly to win by two and a half lengths, with Galopin Des Champs eventually settling for third.
The result came as a setback for Inothewayurthinkin, whose lacklustre effort saw him trail home last after drifting markedly in the betting. Connections were left searching for answers after a performance that never matched his reputation.
For Ewing, the moment was another landmark in a rapidly accelerating career.
The 22-year-old admitted that the assertive ride was partly improvised, but his instincts proved spot on.
It was a significant moment too for Meade, who secured a record-equalling fifth Savills Chase victory, drawing level with Michael Hourigan as the race’s most successful trainer. Nearly three decades on from his first win with Johnny Setaside, the eight-time champion showed he remains a master at plotting a big-race strike.
Affordale Fury’s journey has not been straightforward. Runner-up in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in 2023, he lost momentum after missing a novice chasing campaign, but recent efforts hinted at a resurgence.
A rematch in the Irish Gold Cup now looms large, with Cheltenham firmly in mind after Affordale Fury was cut sharply in Gold Cup betting. Galopin Des Champs, despite defeat, remains firmly on track according to Willie Mullins, who was satisfied with the comeback run after a disrupted preparation.
With the staying chase division lacking a dominant force, the Savills Chase served as a timely reminder that momentum, timing and bold decision-making may prove decisive as the road to March gathers pace.