Fact To File Secures Stunning Irish Gold Cup Victory as Favourite Falters
Trainer Willie Mullins achieved a remarkable one-two-three finish in Monday's Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, but the headline story was the comprehensive defeat of the heavily fancied favourite, Galopin Des Champs. The two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner could only manage third place as stablemate Fact To File produced a commanding performance to claim the feature race of the Dublin Racing Festival.
A Reversal of Fortunes at Leopardstown
Galopin Des Champs was attempting to secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory in this prestigious contest, having triumphed over Grangeclare West and Fact To File twelve months prior. However, this year's renewal saw a significant shift in the pecking order within Mullins' powerful stable.
Despite taking an early lead, Galopin Des Champs was ultimately unable to match the finishing power of Fact To File, who surged clear to win by five lengths. Gaelic Warrior secured second position, with Galopin Des Champs a further eight and a half lengths back in third, just holding off Firefox for the final podium spot.
Winning Jockey in Exceptional Form
Victorious jockey Mark Walsh delivered an exceptional ride on Fact To File, marking his fourth Grade 1 success in just two days at the festival. This remarkable achievement followed previous wins aboard Kaid d'Authie, Majborough, and Narciso Has, demonstrating Walsh's current outstanding form despite the impending conclusion of his role as JP McManus's first-choice jockey in Ireland.
Walsh's performance drew particular praise from Mullins, who described the victory as "a hell of a performance both from Mark and the horse" and noted the impressive jumping display that characterised the win.
Post-Race Analysis and Future Plans
The race outcome has prompted significant recalibration in the ante-post markets for the Cheltenham Festival. Fact To File, who is not currently entered in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but could be supplemented, has been installed as the 4-5 favourite for the Ryanair Chase. Meanwhile, Ladbrokes now price Fact To File at 5-2 for Gold Cup glory should connections choose that route.
Mullins provided insight into his other runners' performances, noting that Gaelic Warrior "ran too free" and that his early exertions likely compromised his chance of victory. Regarding Galopin Des Champs, the trainer suggested that "the exertions at Christmas just told against" the favourite, but expressed confidence that the longer break before Cheltenham would see him return in good order for another Gold Cup attempt.
Notable Absence and Disappointment
The race also saw another disappointing performance from Inothewayurthinkin, the reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup champion, who fell heavily at the final fence when already well beaten. This continues a concerning pattern for the horse following last year's fourth-place finish in this same event.
Mullins' dominance of the race underscores his continued supremacy in National Hunt racing, with the trainer now having secured multiple one-two-three finishes in this prestigious contest throughout his illustrious career.
