In a race that saw the best of last season’s novices go up against the established chasers, the younger generation emerged victorious courtesy of Fact To File in a scintillating renewal of the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase at Punchestown.
With two-time Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs attempting to make the running, the field had split into two by the time they had reached the turn for home. He was joined at the front by Fastorslow, Fact to File and Spillane's Tower – making for an exciting end to the Grade 1 feature.
While Galopin Des Champs looked poised to go clear two out, it soon became evident that the JP McManus-owned duo were mounting a difficult challenge. With the leader losing momentum, Fact To File took the final flight in front, followed by Spillane's Tower - their respective riders going head-to-head in a driving finish which saw Mark Walsh's mount emerge victorious by half-a-length. Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow made up the places in third and fourth respectively.
Champion trainer Willie Mullins, winning his tenth John Durkan Chase could hide his enthusiasm for the winner. In his post-race comments to Racing TV, the Closutton handler said: "It was a terrific race, probably the best John Durkan I've seen. Fact To File is a proper racehorse, it's going to be a hell of a season.
"I was really taken by Fact to File and what he did from the last to the winning post. I thought he was beaten by Spillane's Tower, but Fact to File put his head down. Mark said he took a blow at the last but put his head back down.
"I thought Galopin Des Champs ran some race. When you look where he finished and what happened to Grangeclare West, he was pulled up. He tried to match Galopin Des Champs and couldn't finish.
"Galopin Des Champs cut out the running and did the donkey work over a trip too sharp for him, the depth of that race was huge.
"I imagine Galopin Des Champs will go to Leopardstown for Christmas, Fact to File could end up there too as he's not in the King George, so they might meet there. I don't think we need to, although they're all good prizes to win in their own right, but we have our eye on the main prize later in the season."
Fact To File is the new industry-wide favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Paddy Power quickly cutting today's winner to 11/4 for the March contest. Ladbrokes and Coral took a stronger view, making him a 2/1 shot for the same race. Last year's winner Galopin Des Champs was pushed out to a general 4/1, with Spillane's Tower and Fastorslow earning quotes of 14/1 on the back of their efforts.
