Fact Of The Matter comes out on top in cross-country under power-packed Sheehan

Showing great resilience and determination, Fact Of The Matter, one of just two runners from Britain in the 11-strong field, gamely fended off the Enda Bolger-trained My Hometown in a thrilling finish to the cross-country chase.

Over the stamina-sapping trip of three and three-quarter miles, Fact Of The Matter and My Hometown were prominent from the outset, with the runner-up making most of the running under Niall Madden.

It looked for all the world as if the strong-travelling French challenger Amazing Comedy was set to pick them up, but he made mistakes at the last two fences which enabled the front two to fight it out.

Gavin Sheehan, known for his power in the saddle, managed to cajole the Jamie Snowden eight-year-old into the lead after the last and he stayed on grimly to land the prize.

Fact Of The Matter (left): thrills the crowd as he scores under Gavin SheehanCredit: Grossick Photography

Crowd favourite and joint favourite Josies Orders stayed on strongly to take third after being outpaced at a crucial stage.

Snowden: "It's wonderful. He's obviously benefited for that first run here and Gavin [Sheehan] has given him an absolute peach. I thought we were beaten coming to the last. He dug deep and we're thrilled.

"One of our owners is keen on his stats and he suggested that horses improve 7lb for their first run over these obstacles. He went up 5lb and he's just won, so he's about right!

"We'll probably be a stone wrong taking on [Grand National winner and ante-post favourite] Tiger Roll in March, but we'll come here anyway. He'll have a break over the winter and maybe have a run over hurdles before the festival."

Fact Of The Matter was given an opening quote of 20-1 by Paddy Power for the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

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