Connections have confirmed that Fact To File will clash with stablemate Gaelic Warrior in the Punchestown Gold Cup.
The last time the pair met it was Fact To File who came out on top. The nine-year-old was an impressive winner of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. After that success, over Gaelic Warrior in second, supplementing Fact To File for the Cheltenham version appeared a formality. That possibility only seemed ever more likely when two-time Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs was ruled out through injury.
However, sticking to their original plan, Fact To File was declared for the Ryanair Chase instead. Quickening ground unnerved connections, though, and he was pulled out of the race at the 11th hour. 24 hours later, Gaelic Warrior sauntered to an easy Cheltenham Gold Cup success.
Overall the score is 2-1 in Gaelic Warrior’s favour when they have met this season. The Gold Cup champion gamely held off his stablemate in the John Durkan Chase. Both were then beaten in the King George VI Chase, but Gaelic Warrior’s third place trumped his old rival’s sixth-placed finish.
The tables were turned at Leopardstown, but it appears one more meeting between the pair is likely next week.
“It is shaping up to be a cracking race” – Frank Berry
The Punchestown Gold Cup is the feature race of the track’s season-ending festival. It occurs on the second of five days, providing a sumptuous midweek treat for punters.
And JP McManus’ racing manager gave racing fans an even greater reason to tune in on Wednesday. he confirmed to the Racing Post that Fact To File will run if pleasing Willie Mullins in his work this week.
“Yes, that’s (the Punchestown Gold Cup) definitely the plan,” Berry said. “He has a little bit of work to do later in the week and if Willie is happy I don’t see any reason why he won’t run.”
Given the reason for his Cheltenham absence, Berry was also keen to assuage any fears that the ground could impact the decision.
“They always do a really good job with the ground at Punchestown, so I don’t see that being a problem. We had to make a decision at Cheltenham, and Willie just felt it was too quick for him on the day. He seems to be very happy with him since then and hopefully, all going well, he will turn up next week. It is shaping up to be a cracking race if they all show up.”
Punchestown’s track is currently riding yielding one week from the race. The Punchestown Gold Cup will take place at 6.05pm.