‘It’s going to be a hell of a season’ - Willie Mullins thrilled as Fact To File assumes Gold Cup favouritism after John Durkan cracker

What was billed as the race of the season did not disappoint as last term's top novice chasers Fact To File and Spillane's Tower, both owned by JP McManus, fought out a memorable finish to the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

It was a race that had everything. A bold-jumping display from the front by Galopin Des Champs under Paul Townend provided much of the drama but did not deliver a winning outcome, as Mark Walsh on Fact To File and Jack Kennedy on Spillane's Tower were content to sit off the generous pace, and the dual Gold Cup hero began to feel the pinch from before the last.

Fact To File pounced between the last two fences, while Spillane's Tower was brought with a more patient challenge. It was all to play for jumping the last, with Spillane's Tower looking to have the momentum, but Walsh had saved a bit and he managed to produce just enough to hold off his younger rival by half a length. 

The way the race unfolded has whetted the appetite and it could truly be a vintage season in the staying chase division if this is a taste of things to come.

Fact To File: stayed on best to win the John DurkanCredit: Patrick McCann

The bookmaker reaction was more fevered than usual. Paddy Power cut Fact To File to 11-4 favourite for the Gold Cup (from 4), Galopin Des Champs was left at 7-2, Spillane's Tower was cut to 8-1 (from 16), and Fastorslow, who finished fourth after being sent off favourite, was eased to 10-1 (from 7). 

Willie Mullins is in the enviable position of having the reigning champion and the young pretender, who is a year junior at seven, in his care. He said: “What a race. I was trying to keep an eye on all of them throughout. 

"I think testament to the race was the fact my horse Grangeclare West, who tried to keep up with Galopin Des Champs, had to pull up before the last. It shows they went a true gallop and Galopin kept on to finish third, so it was a fantastic run. I certainly wouldn't be writing him off yet. There are lots of races to play out for the season.”

As for the winner, he said: “I thought we were beaten when Spillane's Tower came up beside us on the run-in, so it shows that Fact To File has made that leap to senior company. Mark said that he took a blow and when he got his second wind he stayed on well to win. I love that he found that extra bit to get home. He's over 17 hands but he's a big athletic horse with a wonderful temperament, and he has true grit the way he got down and battled. 

"I would think Galopin Des Champs will go back to Leopardstown for the Savills Chase. It's possible that he could clash with Fact To File [not entered in the King George] there again.

“It was a brilliant renewal of this race, probably one of the best ever. There are plusses to be taken for every horse and I was not disappointed with any of them bar Grangeclare West. I think it [Gold Cup] is going to be some race at the end of the season, I think all of these horses are going to win big races this season. 

"It's fantastic Punchestown has brought this race back to this time. All these horses should recover enough to get a run at Christmas or the new year. It’s going to be a hell of a season."

Mark Walsh with the John Durkan Memorial Chase trophyCredit: Patrick McCann

Spillane's Tower's trainer Jimmy Mangan said: “I'm absolutely over the moon with him. He hasn't been on grass since he won here at the festival. We couldn't, the ground has just been too firm. We have everything to look forward to now. Without a doubt that's the best race I've ever been involved in. You couldn't get any better.”

Last year's winner Fastorslow was the one slight disappointment, beaten six and a half lengths back in fourth, and trainer Martin Brassil said: “He travelled well to the third-last when he got upsides the leader, but he just couldn't accelerate on that dead ground. 

"It's the first time we've run him on ground like that but he kept going to the line and we're happy with him. He gave his knee a bit of a bang there, there's a tiny bit of soft tissue swelling but he seems fine and hopefuly he'll be okay.”

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 14, 2025)

Paddy Power: 11-4 Fact To File, 7-2 Galopin Des Champs, 8 Spillane’s Tower, 10 Fastorslow, 16 Gerri Colombe, Grey Dawning, I Am Maximus, Inothewayurthinkin, 20 bar

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