Fact To File is good, but not as good as Galopin des Champs. In the Savills Chase to Leopardstown and back over the distance of 4,900 metres, Field Scamp was simply unbeatable. Certainly, Fact To File appeared at his side when jumping the last obstacle, but the further he advanced on the flat, the more the double winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup widened the gap to dominate him by seven and a half lengths. “What a performance!” then exclaimed his trainer Willie Mullins, visibly impressed by his resident and confirmed: “It was one of the best performances I have ever seen here at Leopardstown. Really, the way he imposes himself is incredible. He did it from start to finish, which is not easy. As for Fact To Filehe was a little energetic, so we may change tactics. He held up well today, but he was facing a champion. And this champion, it seems incredible, is still progressing even though he is almost 9 years old.” After this victory, British bookmakers promoted him to 4/5 favorite for a third consecutive victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Note that Joseph O’Brien continued his good form at Kempton with another Group I winner over obstacles Home By The Lee ahead Bob Olinger in the Savills Hurdle, a Group I over hurdles.
