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.
Should be a great match to get the league up and running. Two quality sides with a hint of experimentation for both it seems.
@Robb Stark: easy win for limerick dey have the first team out no experimention at all.
@Jim: Barry Hennessy, Tom Condon, Robbie Hanly, Barry Nash, David Reidy and David Dempsey are not regular starters if Limerick have their best team out. So that is not Limerick first team
@Decko49: thats the startin bunch for this year. U might not like it.
@Jim: big knowledge of Limerick hurling there Jim??
@Jim: Where will Sean Finn, Declan Hannon, Gearoid Hegarty Will O Donoghue? Peter Casey all be?
@A Cos: Yeah he knows a lot alright.
@Decko49: on the bench
@Jim: You’d want to stay off the drugs and or drink at this time of the day kid.
@Decko49: sorry i forgot your the expert on here now. Joined a few months ago was it??
@Jim: No you’re the expert on Limerick and you haven’t a clue. So don’t try be smart. Come back the first day of the championship and of I’m wrong I will apologise. If you’re wrong Will you?
@Jim: go way and have a lie down…ur makin an ape outta urself
@john williams: Shur he has the limerick team named for the championship already. Kiely will be livid that Jim has leaked this to the media
@Decko49: we saw the limerick team last night. They only hav the bare 15 and all the talk.
@Jim: Haha. Jesus you’re a gas man. Wait til May for the championship team to be named and will show what you know about hurling. I bet you won’t be in here to say you were wrong.
No bubbles
@Tony Mcgrath: they might be a bit flat with no bubbles.
@Tony Mcgrath: busy with auld wans
@john williams: Yeah I hear he likes the mother’s alright. Great for team building
Will Gerry Kelly of BorrisIleigh get the call up this year?
@Tom Turnip: Interesting comment I figure he would cause quite a few problems for any backline.