Fact To File

I'd agree. He was outstayed eventually finishing 3rd.

could have finished 2nd if he was ridden to the line

U do the f/c Cardiff

Didn't jump as well as last time imop. Perhaps being held up out the back didn't suit in that respect. But just to repeat what I said after last time he'll never beat Galopin over these distances.

He didn't jump well and didn't get home and it didn't look to be strongly run, if he ran in the GC after that at the likely stronger pace he'd be a place lay IMO.

He has always jumped too low at times imo. It is why i haventbeen getting involved in him it could catch him out at Cheltenham

I was arguing for the Ryanair before he won on seasonal debut. The only people arguing for the Gold Cup now are those who have backed for that race. It should be obvious, but he should have gone Turners last year, but didn't. Iroko was parachuted in. That looks even more bonkers now that horse is running over longer trips. Spillane's Tower could be this year's Iroko. JP is a law unto himself. They should already have made the decision. I also argued that it was crazy that Inothewayurthinkin wasn't entered in the Gold Cup. He was a big eyecatcher today, staying on under gentle handling. He is improving, and with the extra two furlongs could easily chase home the favourite. He is a stayer, Fact To File just isn't.

The fourth was eyecatching,still improving,agree with everything

the 2nd has run a stormer also

Inothewayyouthinkin now 2nd fav for the National from 33/1. Cromwell said a few wks ago wouldn't go there so you know thats where he IS going. Better to have every chance in that than wasting time trying to come 2nd in a Gold Cup.

He goes were the owner says he goes

JP and Mr McCoy instruct the trainers where his charges go.

Fact To File has looked the second best 3m chaser so far this season, so the Gold Cup is where he should go.
How foolish would you look if something happened to Galopin Des Champs and a rag ended up winning the blue riband of NH racing.

He wouldn't even finish second over the extra distance, and he would be beaten even further on softer ground. Yes, the owner can do what he likes, but it would be stupid decision to pass up the opportunity of actually winning a race. Those arguing to keep hitting his head against a brick wall need to look beyond their own financial interest. Horses should run over their best trip, and for him that is not 3m2f or even 3m. The evidence is there for everyone to see.

Interesting Mullins said yesterday perhaps Fact To File was ridden wrongly. I did think on the day as I said here that the horse, imop, jumped indifferent from being held up out the back. I also stand by my long held opinion after Punchestown that Fact To File would never finish in front of Galopin again. On a side note Ruby said he thought Fact To File jumped better than he did at Christmas. Totally baffled by that comment.

Mullins will always dismiss any comment that challenges his own decisions. He is still saying that Ballyburn is a 2 miler but can't beat Sir Gino. He would not beat Majborough either. Ruby tends to back Willie up most of the time. Running horses in the "wrong" race to try to win 2 races is not new. Istabraq could have strolled the Supreme but they thought he could also easily win the Sun Alliance so they went there instead and ran a 2 miler in the Supreme.

Istabraq might well have not won the sun alliance if the runner up had a proper jockey on board.

Those arguing to keep hitting his head against a brick wall need to look beyond their own financial interest

DD, I have backed Fact To File for the Ryanair.

But I believe the best horses should run in the best race.
If everyone who thought they could not beat Galopin avoided him, it would be a dull game.

Fact To File, has a massive question mark over it's stamina for the Gold Cup and has Ruby Walsh said on the RTC Sunday, it's best form is over 2 and half miles. Surely they will run him in the best chance of winning. Mullins doesn't really have anything else for the Ryanair either

Feb 6, 2025 -- 3:58PM, in hell wrote:

Fact To File, has a massive question mark over it's stamina for the Gold Cup and has Ruby Walsh said on the RTC Sunday, it's best form is over 2 and half miles. Surely they will run him in the best chance of winning. Mullins doesn't really have anything else for the Ryanair either

Talk is he's considering the Ryanair for Gaelic Warrior and Impaire Et Passe

What about El Fab, if he's still in one piece surely he'd need a bit more of an easier time between his fences and be more than likely going there too....can't see Mullins having all of them in the Ryanair and only Energumene in the CC, reckon GW will still run in the CC myself.

Watch last years Arkle and see what you think

They stay grouped for longer in the Champion Chase it is a totally different track to most then class surfaces towards the close often the winner has been ‘in the van’ throughout the race.

There are likely to be one or two trying to push the pace Solness and Il Est Francais wont hang around but also wont want to sacrifice themselves too early in this highest quality race over this trip. Jonbon also may want to be up there however it will be surprising if he tries to take the lead too early from those two. Less ground will be poached by them imo then the cruisers will sit and wait with Jonbon to see who has the kick on the day and probably one of those wont have been forced off the bridle by the leaders and go past them.

The staying cruisers are going to be dragged along by the leaders and wait to pounce as the hill blunts the leaders ability to get away from them. This is where staying comes in handy combined with the speed needed to win the race.

A horse who only gets the two miles wont be winning this years Champion Chase imo it is going to be full on

Therein lies the problem for a 12 year old Energumene, a pure 2 miler who will be in a much stronger race than his two previous wins defeating the likes of Editeur Du Gite, Edwardstone and Captain Guiness. imo this years race is extremely high quality there is great depth to it. His soft ground preference is counteracted by others also preferring it but that are better stayers than him.

In addition both styles of staying front runner and staying cruiser are covered by at least one horse in the race near the top of the market so whichever way it goes you will need to be able to stay further than two miles to win a strongly run race this year.

Not only that but have a great turn of foot up the hill off a strong pace

Reckon Solness will make the running and wind it up to full on 3 out.

Did ye have a wee 3 hour kip

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