John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase |
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| Grade 1, Punchestown 14:25 €150,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 3f 150y, Class 1  |
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1 Fact To File 7/2
2 Spillane's Tower 18/1
3
Galopin Des Champs 16/5
8 ran NR: Blue Lord Distances: ½l, 2¼l, 3¾l
Time: 5m 3.90s (slow by 14.90s)
Fact To File sees victory in a star-studded renewal of the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase under an excellent ride from Mark Walsh!🏆@WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/RYifPNjnuY
— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) November 24, 2024
Fact To File triumphed in a thrilling finish, narrowly edging out Spillane’s Tower, as last season’s standout novices outperformed the established stars, Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow.
For much of the race, Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow looked to have control. However, Mark Walsh expertly guided Fact To File into contention as they turned for home. With a superb jump over the final fence, Fact To File took the lead from Galopin Des Champs. Spillane’s Tower, carrying the second colors of winning owner JP McManus and ridden by Jack Kennedy, emerged as a serious threat in the run-in. Despite this challenge, Fact To File held on to win by half a length at 7-2, securing Willie Mullins his 10th victory in the race.
Stablemate Galopin Des Champs finished two and a quarter lengths behind in third, while Fastorslow came in fourth.
Mullins exclaimed, “What a race! It was a testament to the competition that the horse trying to keep up with Galopin Des Champs, Grangeclare West, had to pull up before the last. When Spillane’s Tower came alongside us halfway up the run-in, I thought we were beaten. But it shows Fact To File’s leap from novice company to senior company, pulling out that extra bit to win. Mark said he took a blow but stayed on well. He’s over 17 hands but very athletic, with a lovely temperament and true grit. It was a hell of a race, and I think all these horses will win big races this season. It’s fantastic that Punchestown has brought the race back to this time of the season, allowing all these horses to recover in time to run around Christmas. Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs could both run at Leopardstown.”
Following the race, Fact To File is now the favorite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Betfair and Paddy Power shortening his odds to 11-4, and Coral offering 2-1.
Jimmy Mangan, trainer of Spillane’s Tower, was delighted with his horse’s performance, saying, “I’m over the moon, delighted with him. He hasn’t been on grass since he won here at the Festival due to the firm ground. There is everything to look forward to, but I couldn’t tell you where he will run next. 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 with the best of horses and jockeys.”
John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Steeplechase
€150,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 3f 150y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Soft
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Fact To File 7 11-12 W P Mullins Mark Walsh 7/2
2 ½ Spillane's Tower 6 11-12 James Joseph Mangan Jack Kennedy 18/1
3 2¼ Galopin Des Champs 8 11-12 W P Mullins Paul Townend 16/5
4 3¾ Fastorslow 8 11-12 Martin Brassil Mr Derek O'Connor 6/4F
5 18 Minella Cocooner 8 11-12 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 66/1
6 11 Journey With Me 8 11-12 Henry De Bromhead Darragh O'Keeffe 11/1
7 ¾ Inothewayurthinkin 6 11-12 Gavin Cromwell Keith Donoghue 22/1
PU
Grangeclare West 8 11-12 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 12/1
NR 1 Blue Lord 9 11-12 W P Mullins NON RUNNER
