Ruby Walsh has pinpointed an unusual strength of a popular Cheltenham Festival favourite.
The former top jockey at the meeting ran the rule over Galopin Des Champs, 11-10 with bookmakers for the 3m½f novices' chase.
Willie Mullins' smart performer, who also has the option of taking on Bob Olinger over 2m 4f instead, has excited racing fans in the build-up.
He made the perfect chasing debut at Leopardstown over Christmas and then stormed to victory at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Walsh, 11-times top rider at Cheltenham's biggest meeting, gave ITV Racing viewers an in-depth analysis of the six-year-old's February 6 performance.
Paul Townend's mount drew clear of the field by nine lengths – and pundit Walsh said the replay gave punters some vital clues.
"It's what he does after the race," Walsh said.
"And not many people would look at this, but he's heading off into the distance going to go around again and into your shot is going to come Master McShee who's pulled up (after the line in second).
"Next comes Gaillard Du Mesnil who's pulled up (after finishing third), yet GDC – he wants to go beyond the loose horses (in front of him).
"It just shows you what he had left in the tank."
In his punditry role for the channel, Walsh also focused on the way Townend was educating the five-time winner.
He has less experience over fences than two of his potential Cheltenham rivals, L'Homme Presse and Bravemansgame.
Explaining the son of Timos' scope for the bigger obstacles, Walsh added: "First (fence) in the back straight he really catches Paul (Townend, jockey).
"Watch how Paul's body has gone quite vertical, his hands are up, he's hoping Galopin is going to take another stride here but he doesn't, the horse lets fly and really has to reach to get there. Twists behind to give himself the extra kick to get over it.
"But the horse learned from that because at the very next fence, same signals, Paul backs off him, pulls back with his hands and this time Galopin pricks his earns and gets in and pops it."
Galopin Des Champs is one of several short-priced favourites trained by Mullins going into this year's fixture, which takes place from March 15-18.
The most successful handler in the event's history also has the likes of Champion Bumper fancy Facile Vega and Allaho racing for the Ryanair Chase double.
Henry De Bromhead's Honeysuckle is another horse bidding for back-to-back wins In the Champion Hurdle.
Mullins' runner Appreciate It is poised to make his seasonal debut the feature contest of the opening day.
