FACT TO FILE bounced back to form to lift the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, with stablemate Galopin Des Champs having to settle for a gallant third place in his bid to land the Leopardstown showpiece for the fourth year in a row.
A dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and victorious in the Dublin Racing Festival feature in each of the past three seasons, Galopin Des Champs was the 15-8 favourite to match the feat of another Willie Mullins-trained superstar in Florida Pearl, who claimed four renewals between 1999 and 2004.
The 10-year-old suffered his first defeat in eight starts over fences at Leopardstown when third in his bid for a third Savills Chase in late December, but as that was his belated seasonal reappearance, improvement was expected under Paul Townend.
Fact To File (9/2) keeps up the tempo superbly to win the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1).
It was a Willie Mullins 1-2-3 with Gaelic Warrior second. Galopin Des Champs could only finish third.
After tracking Savills Chase winner Affordale Fury for much of the way, Galopin Des Champs jumped to the front four fences from home – drawing a cheer from the crowd – but was quickly joined by Monty’s Star and Fact To File, who was bidding to put a disappointing run in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day behind him.
Another Mullins runner in Gaelic Warrior threw his hat into the ring from the home turn, but 9-2 shot Fact To File was travelling much the best under Mark Walsh and kept up the gallop to score by five lengths.
Gaelic Warrior was a clear second, with Galopin Des Champs narrowly beating Firefox to third to give the champion trainer a one-two-three. Reigning Cheltenham hero Inothewayurthinkin was a tired faller at the last, but was able to walk away.
Jockey Mark Walsh and groom Georgia Fenwick celebrate winning with Fact To File. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
“That was a helluva performance, both from Mark and the horse,” said Mullins.
“Terrific, he jumped from fence to fence and it was something to watch.
“He just jumped his way to the front and Mark didn’t want to disappoint him and he kept galloping.
“I was wondering would he stay the trip going at that pace, because they went a fair lick from the start.
“He stayed every inch of it and galloped right through the line.
“I think it was one of the best chases run in Ireland or England this year. The class of horse that was in it was fantastic. It turned out to be as good as it looked.”
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Owned by JP McManus, Fact To File is only in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, but Mullins said: “We had him in the Gold Cup, he was withdrawn, but he could always go in as a supplementary entry. I think that’s what last year’s winner was. We haven’t spoken and we’ll see what happens.
“The first thing Mark remarked to me when he got off the horse was that when he hit the front he pricked his ears, which tells us all that he had more in the tank.
“From the first day he came into the stable he just exuded the fact that he was a racehorse and he’s proved it today here.
“We had so many horses in the race that any one of them could have put up a performance. That was far and above what he had done before.”
Willie Mullins and Georgia Fenwick after winning the Irish Gold Cup. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Despite the reverse for Galopin Des Champs, Mullins was not too downhearted, saying:
“Galopin Des Champs ran a terrific race, he just got a little bit tired. I just thought the exertions at Christmas might tell on him and they did, but that will put him right now for Cheltenham – I think he’ll come back a lot stronger after that race.
“I was afraid that the Christmas would have an impact. He ran maybe two races if not three at Christmas and that has to tell on a horse. I think today’s race, coming the way that it did and what he did in today’s race, that showed me he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
“Gaelic Warrior was just doing too much throughout the race. Going to the fifth-last I thought he had every chance of winning but his exertions early on in the race just told.
“Whether that means he goes back for the Ryanair Chase (I don’t know), but he definitely stays, so I’d have no problem if we want to go for the Gold Cup with him.”
Earlier, Romeo Coolio was made to fight for victory in the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
Gordon Elliott’s 4-9 favourite was one of only three horses in the two-mile-one-furlong Grade One event, with the outsider Downmexicoway detached from an early stage.
It was effectively a match between the market leader and the Willie Mullins-trained mare Kargese, with Romeo Coolio eventually getting on top in the hands of Jack Kennedy, only for Kargese to rally under Paul Townend and close right to the line, which in her case came half a length too soon.
Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy after winning with Romeo Coolio at Leopardstown. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
“They went a good gallop, the pedal never came off. They went very fast,” said Elliott.
“Our lad needs every bit of the trip, he was flat out. The mare had us at it. He made a few mistakes, but he’s very gutsy and he digs deep. He pulled up when he got to the front then and I was glad the line came when it did.
“It’ll be interesting to see what Jack says. I’d say Jack maybe idled a bit as well, he thought he was home and hosed. He should have kept going, but thankfully we held on.
“They are great lads and big supporters of Cullentra. This horse was bought to be a stayer, we’re hoping he’ll go the whole way.”
Jack Kennedy onboard Romeo Coolio holds off Paul Townend onboard Kargese to win. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Romeo Coolio was eased to 5-1 from 7-2 by Coral for the Arkle at Cheltenham, and of future plans Elliott added: “I wouldn’t be shocked to see him stepping out in trip now. He has three Grade Ones won now so everything else is a bonus. The lads are from the UK so they are very keen to have a runner in Cheltenham.
“He’ll be in both races (the Arkle and Brown Advisory) and we’ll make our mind up at the time which is the right race to go for.”
Dave Rabson, of owners KDTA racing, added: “He’s shown his bottle again. If you look at the two races, here and at Christmas, just after the second-last you’re going ‘we’re in a bit of trouble here’ and then he shows you what he’s got.
“Three Grade Ones this year, he’s a proper horse now. This is what we bought him for, to go over proper fences, for big days, for Grade Ones and the boss has given us three. He’s probably even par for this year with me!
“We’ll sit down. Dave (Page), Mouse (O’Ryan) and myself will give our opinions and then Gordon will tell us what we’re doing!”
Jack Kennedy celebrates winning with Romeo Coolio. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Kennedy told RTE 2: “We went a very strong gallop. My lad’s jumping was unbelievable until the ditch down the back and he just made two little mistakes then. I was on the back foot really the whole way from there. I suppose his stamina kicked in down to the last and he probably got a bit lonely in front. To be fair to the mare, she was good and hardy to get back at him.
“He does (have the heart of a lion), he is very tough.”
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Fact To File roars back to his best with Irish Gold Cup victory
FACT TO FILE bounced back to form to lift the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, with stablemate Galopin Des Champs having to settle for a gallant third place in his bid to land the Leopardstown showpiece for the fourth year in a row.
A dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and victorious in the Dublin Racing Festival feature in each of the past three seasons, Galopin Des Champs was the 15-8 favourite to match the feat of another Willie Mullins-trained superstar in Florida Pearl, who claimed four renewals between 1999 and 2004.
The 10-year-old suffered his first defeat in eight starts over fences at Leopardstown when third in his bid for a third Savills Chase in late December, but as that was his belated seasonal reappearance, improvement was expected under Paul Townend.
After tracking Savills Chase winner Affordale Fury for much of the way, Galopin Des Champs jumped to the front four fences from home – drawing a cheer from the crowd – but was quickly joined by Monty’s Star and Fact To File, who was bidding to put a disappointing run in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day behind him.
Another Mullins runner in Gaelic Warrior threw his hat into the ring from the home turn, but 9-2 shot Fact To File was travelling much the best under Mark Walsh and kept up the gallop to score by five lengths.
Gaelic Warrior was a clear second, with Galopin Des Champs narrowly beating Firefox to third to give the champion trainer a one-two-three. Reigning Cheltenham hero Inothewayurthinkin was a tired faller at the last, but was able to walk away.
“That was a helluva performance, both from Mark and the horse,” said Mullins.
“Terrific, he jumped from fence to fence and it was something to watch.
“He just jumped his way to the front and Mark didn’t want to disappoint him and he kept galloping.
“I was wondering would he stay the trip going at that pace, because they went a fair lick from the start.
“He stayed every inch of it and galloped right through the line.
“I think it was one of the best chases run in Ireland or England this year. The class of horse that was in it was fantastic. It turned out to be as good as it looked.”
Owned by JP McManus, Fact To File is only in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, but Mullins said: “We had him in the Gold Cup, he was withdrawn, but he could always go in as a supplementary entry. I think that’s what last year’s winner was. We haven’t spoken and we’ll see what happens.
“The first thing Mark remarked to me when he got off the horse was that when he hit the front he pricked his ears, which tells us all that he had more in the tank.
“From the first day he came into the stable he just exuded the fact that he was a racehorse and he’s proved it today here.
“We had so many horses in the race that any one of them could have put up a performance. That was far and above what he had done before.”
Despite the reverse for Galopin Des Champs, Mullins was not too downhearted, saying:
“Galopin Des Champs ran a terrific race, he just got a little bit tired. I just thought the exertions at Christmas might tell on him and they did, but that will put him right now for Cheltenham – I think he’ll come back a lot stronger after that race.
“I was afraid that the Christmas would have an impact. He ran maybe two races if not three at Christmas and that has to tell on a horse. I think today’s race, coming the way that it did and what he did in today’s race, that showed me he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
“Gaelic Warrior was just doing too much throughout the race. Going to the fifth-last I thought he had every chance of winning but his exertions early on in the race just told.
“Whether that means he goes back for the Ryanair Chase (I don’t know), but he definitely stays, so I’d have no problem if we want to go for the Gold Cup with him.”
Earlier, Romeo Coolio was made to fight for victory in the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
Gordon Elliott’s 4-9 favourite was one of only three horses in the two-mile-one-furlong Grade One event, with the outsider Downmexicoway detached from an early stage.
It was effectively a match between the market leader and the Willie Mullins-trained mare Kargese, with Romeo Coolio eventually getting on top in the hands of Jack Kennedy, only for Kargese to rally under Paul Townend and close right to the line, which in her case came half a length too soon.
“They went a good gallop, the pedal never came off. They went very fast,” said Elliott.
“Our lad needs every bit of the trip, he was flat out. The mare had us at it. He made a few mistakes, but he’s very gutsy and he digs deep. He pulled up when he got to the front then and I was glad the line came when it did.
“It’ll be interesting to see what Jack says. I’d say Jack maybe idled a bit as well, he thought he was home and hosed. He should have kept going, but thankfully we held on.
“They are great lads and big supporters of Cullentra. This horse was bought to be a stayer, we’re hoping he’ll go the whole way.”
Romeo Coolio was eased to 5-1 from 7-2 by Coral for the Arkle at Cheltenham, and of future plans Elliott added: “I wouldn’t be shocked to see him stepping out in trip now. He has three Grade Ones won now so everything else is a bonus. The lads are from the UK so they are very keen to have a runner in Cheltenham.
“He’ll be in both races (the Arkle and Brown Advisory) and we’ll make our mind up at the time which is the right race to go for.”
Dave Rabson, of owners KDTA racing, added: “He’s shown his bottle again. If you look at the two races, here and at Christmas, just after the second-last you’re going ‘we’re in a bit of trouble here’ and then he shows you what he’s got.
“Three Grade Ones this year, he’s a proper horse now. This is what we bought him for, to go over proper fences, for big days, for Grade Ones and the boss has given us three. He’s probably even par for this year with me!
“We’ll sit down. Dave (Page), Mouse (O’Ryan) and myself will give our opinions and then Gordon will tell us what we’re doing!”
Kennedy told RTE 2: “We went a very strong gallop. My lad’s jumping was unbelievable until the ditch down the back and he just made two little mistakes then. I was on the back foot really the whole way from there. I suppose his stamina kicked in down to the last and he probably got a bit lonely in front. To be fair to the mare, she was good and hardy to get back at him.
“He does (have the heart of a lion), he is very tough.”
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Arkle Gold cup Gordon Elliott Leopardstown Racing