CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL NEWS: WILLIE MULLINS NOW JUST ONE OF CENTURY AS FACT TO FILE COMES HOME THE AUTHORITATIVE WINNER OF THE BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES’ CHASE
Wednesday 13th March
Champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins is now just one short of a century of Cheltenham Festival winners after Fact To File came home the impressive winner of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.
Wille Mullins said: “I felt he was a ready-made steeplechaser from the first day he came into the yard, so that’s why we skipped hurdling with him. I’m very happy we did that with him now, and I think JP had a nice wager on him for this race for the staff at the start of the season.
“He made the decision and took all responsibility away from me to do that, so I’m delighted for the staff as well. It’s been a wonderful day.
“He’s a beautiful jumper and he gave Mark a tremendous ride. I’d say it was some thrill riding him around there. He’s just a real gentleman of a horse, and definitely a Gold Cup horse in the making.”
Winning jockey Mark Walsh told ITV Racing: “It’s easy when you’re riding a horse like this round here. He jumped and travelled so well. He took me down the hill. I didn’t want to get there too soon, being his first time over the trip, but he winged the last two and galloped on up the hill.
“This is a class horse. He is some class. Right decision by JP and Frank to go straight to chasing. Hopefully we have a good one on our hands.”
Winning owner JP McManus told ITV Racing: “I was nervous. I thought he got a little warm and on his toes a bit beforehand, and I think Mark did a great job to get him settled. I think he will have learnt a lot from the race. I’m just so relieved.
“[The horse’s potential] is all in front of him. Willie decided to go straight chasing with him and I had no objection, it sounded good to me, and he has been vindicated.”
Henry de Bromhead, trainer of runner-up Monty’s Star, said: “I’m delighted. That was really good. Obviously you’d like to win, but the winner looked very good and has done all year.
“I think we lost little in defeat and I think he’s improving all the time. He’s a really exciting horse for us, and we’ll start at the Gold Cup and work backwards from there - the Mindello Indo route. He’s seven, but he’s a big raw horse and I think he’ll go on improving.”
Stephen Mulqueen, rider of the third Giovinco said: “It was a massive run, wasn't it? Look, we were in a very fortunate place today. Scu had said to me just to drop him out, get him to switch off, because he’s been a little bit keen. So go on out there, six runners, just drop him in and enjoy yourself - you don’t hear that very often. He travelled brilliant, jumped amazing. Going to two out I got a little bit excited! He’s run an absolute screamer.
“We put a red hood on him today because he’s that type of individual - he can get a little bit lit up. He had excuses for one or two below-par runs; I’m not saying I came here fancying him, but I thought he’d run a big race. I love him!”
Lucinda Russell, trainer of the third Giovinco, said: “He’s just a phenomenal horse - I’m so pleased with him. His jumping was great, Jenny’s kept him really calm - he’s a bit edgy, we’ve always said that. He’s by Walk In The Park and he’s always been an edgy horse, but just then he was so relaxed in the race. And yes, we’ll try and bring him back here next year.”
Harry Cobden, rider of Stay Away Fay (pulled-up) said: “I don’t know… I wanted to go an even enough gallop, everything felt very laboured from probably a circuit. The boss will get him back, we might have a look at Punchestown.”
2.10pm Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m 110y
1 Fact To File 8-13 Fav
2 Monty's Star 13-2
3 Giovinco 40-1
6 ran
Distances: 3¾, 2
Time: 6m 41.82s
9th winner at The Festival for jockey Mark Walsh
99th winner at The Festival for trainer Willie Mullins
75th winner at The Festival for owner JP McManus
LATEST PRESTBURY CUP STANDINGS
Ireland 8
Great Britain 1
