Fact To File edged out Spillane's Tower in a thrilling finish to the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, as last season’s crack novices got the better of established stars Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow.
The latter pair looked to be in control of proceedings out in front for much of the contest, but Fact To File came cruising into contention under Mark Walsh once they turned for home.
He jumped the final fence in superb fashion to leap to the front past Galopin Des Champs, but Spillane’s Tower, carrying the second colours of winning owner JP McManus, was also finishing strongly and emerged as a serious threat on the run-in for Jack Kennedy.
However, Fact To File was always doing just enough and last season’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase victor scored by half a length at 7-2, giving Willie Mullins his 10th success in the race.
Stablemate Galopin Des Champs was two and a quarter lengths back in third and Fastorslow finished fourth.
Fact To File (7-2) edges out Spillane's Tower in a thrilling finish to the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase for jockey Mark Walsh, trainer Willie Mullins and owner JP McManus. pic.twitter.com/OBywUu3oEE
Willie Mullins was delighted to win a really strong renewal of the John Durkan at Punchestown with Fact To File, and was far from disappointed by the display of Galopin Des Champs in third. pic.twitter.com/Bq4ZBqGebc
Touch Me Not further enhanced Gordon Elliott's excellent record in the BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase by comfortably accounting for better-fancied stablemate Farren Glory.
Sam Ewing’s mount put in a magnificent round of jumping at the head of affairs and after being given a breather turning for home, he found plenty up the straight to score by six lengths at 8-1.
Elliott
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