Paul Townend still has the precious image that put him on the way to emulate the best partner

Paul Townend still has the card. Hid at home, with three precious firms and an image of Best Mate, the horse that made it dream.

When I was a child, Townend remembers the school race in March 2004 to see if Best Mate could climb Cheltenham's hill and become the first from Arkle in 1966 to win the Gold Cup three years in a row. He is reviewing the memory because he could soon join the immortals.

On Saturday in Leopardstown, Townend, the best Hunt National Jockey in the business, will meet with Galpin Des Champs at the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (3.30), the highlight of the Dublin Racing Festival. They are chasing a sharp in the race and it is unlikely that the couple stops. Already, however, thoughts are resorting towards March and the potential to emulate Best Mate.

Townend is a pragmatic, not someone who would never talk about a horse to be something that is not, but the smile that shows when the history potential arises in this discussion tells him a lot.

Galpin Des Champs was one of the cookies at Christmas and its majestic exhibition in the Savills persecution, in the same three miles as Saturday's test, he raised the roof. Like the best partner, Galopin Des Champs has become public property and the man who sets him as liability.

“You could see the reception you received (in December),” Townend said. 'It is a very good horse and has that strong will to win. He is a terrier, who will lower his head and throw himself to the line for you. I remember that I fell into the steps, running from school trying to see Best Mate!

Paul Townend recalled having wanted to emulate Best Mate when he was young

Townend will hope that, as Best Mate, he can soon join the immortals

Galopin des Champs has had a great impact, for Townend delight

'That was the beginning of everything for me.

'Henrietta Knight (his coach) sent me a signed photo of him, so that is one of my first memories of what everything meant.

'I had been in my father's courtyard, buying a horse, and everything I could talk to her was the best friend. So she herself, Terry (Biddecombe, her late husband) and Jim (Cully, the rider) sent me that card after doing so. It is lovely to have.

However, he is not as charming as the opportunity in front of him. Townend is nebess on these occasions and, although many may think that their task is easy, it is associated with so many probabilities for the unstoppable coach of Gallopin Des Champs, Willie Mullins, nothing could be further from the truth.

The pressure to deliver is huge, Mullins is offering to win the Irish Gold Cup for the 14th time, but the trust behind Galpin des Champs is equally large. If he repeats what he did in December, immortality will be a bit closer.

'The expectation is a lot, you know?' Said Townend, which has two glorious opportunities on the card with final demand (1.15) and Sainte Lucie (1.50). There is talk of everything we ran. Getting them on the line is everything. But there are not too many like Galpinin.

'He is continuing with the follow -up of where people know who they are and that is what every Jockey wants. The best I have mounted? Well, there have not been many so good.