More Willie Mullins success at Cheltenham Festival as Fact To File eases to Brown Advisory victory
Jockey Mark Walsh with Fact To File at Cheltenham
Fact To File maintained his huge reputation with a straightforward success in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase for Willie Mullins.
Talked of as a serious Gold Cup horse of the future, the JP McManus-owned 8/13 favourite was given a patient ride by Mark Walsh through the early stages, before things tightened up, with the field almost inseparable over the third-last fence.
Around the bend horses started to drop away, however, and nothing could go with the market leader – who was second in the Champion Bumper here last year – as he accelerated clear after the last.
Monty’s Star (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) was three and three-quarter lengths back in second, with Giovinco third at 40/1 for Lucinda Russell.
McManus said: “I was nervous and I thought he got a little warm and on his toes beforehand.
“I think Mark did a great job to get him settled and I think he will learn a lot from that race, I’m just relieved.
“It’s all in front of him and when Willie decided to go straight chasing with him I had no objection, it sounded good to me. It has been vindicated.”
