Fact To File prevails in John Durkan thriller

Fact To File edged out Spillane’s Tower in a thrilling finish to the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, as last season’s crack novices got the better of established stars Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow

The latter pair looked to be in control of proceedings out in front for much of the contest, but Fact To File came cruising into contention under Mark Walsh once they turned for home.

He jumped the final fence in superb fashion to leap to the front past Galopin Des Champs, but Spillane’s Tower, carrying the second colours of winning owner JP McManus, was also finishing strongly and emerged as a serious threat on the run-in for Jack Kennedy.

However, Fact To File was always doing just enough and last season’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase victor scored by half a length at 7-2, giving Willie Mullins his 10th success in the race.

Stablemate Galopin Des Champs was two and a quarter lengths back in third and Fastorslow finished fourth.

Willie Mullins said: “What a race! I was trying to keep an eye on them all and I think it’s a testament to the race that the horse that tried to keep up with Galopin Des Champs, Grangeclare West had to pull up before the last and he still ran on to finish third.

“I thought we were beaten when Spillane’s Tower came up alongside us halfway up the run-in so it just shows that he’s made that leap from novice company to senior company that he could pull out more. I love that in a horse that he could pull out a bit extra to get home.

“Mark said he took a blow but stayed on well to win. He’s over 17 hands but an athletic horse with it. He has a lovely temperament and true grit.

“It was a hell of a race, and I think all these horses are going to win big races between now and the end of the season.

“It’s fantastic that Punchestown have brought the race back to this time of the season and all these horses can recover in time to run around Christmas.

“I don’t know where they will go next but Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs could both run at Leopardstown.

“Some of the ones behind could run at Tramore (on New Year's Day).”

Mark Walsh commented: "He's some horse to do that on his first run in open company.

"He was the highest rated of the three of JP's so it wasn't a difficult decision to ride him. There would have been some heads looking at me if I didn't ride this fella!

"I was always going to stick with him but the second horse has a run a cracker too and he's a good horse.

"He missed the first ditch down the hill and Derek (O'Connor, on Fastorslow) got into my position, so I was happy enough just to follow Derek and Paul (Townend, on Galopin Des Champs) then the whole way up to the third-last.

"I actually got checked turning into the straight, so he's done well to come back from that as well. He's a good horse, I'd say.

"It's brilliant to win this race and I'm delighted for everyone."

Fact Or File is now the 11/4 favourite (from 4/1) for the Gold Cup with Paddy Power.

Jimmy Mangan, trainer of the runner-up Spillane’s Tower, said: “I’m absolutely over the moon, delighted with him. He hasn’t been on grass since he won here at the Festival.

“You couldn’t really because the ground has been so firm. There is everything to look forward to but don’t ask me where he will run next as I couldn’t tell you.

“He has options between two and a half miles and three miles and last year’s novice form is working out well.

“It was a great race and you had the best of horses and the best of jockeys.”

Quotes from Alan Magee