Fact To File the star of the show

The decision to reroute Fact To File to the Ryanair Chase from the Gold Cup on day three of the Festival was fully vindicated as Willie Mullins' eight year old outclassed his eight opponents in the two and a half miles event. Last season's Brown Advisory Novices' Chase winner jumped and travelled superbly under Mark Walsh and took control before the second last. Having chased home Galopin Des Champs twice at Leopardstown during the winter, the decision was made to drop the former pointer back in trip. French raider Il Est Francais took over on the final circuit and was still in front at the top of the hill. However, the game was soon up for James Reveley's mount and he faded tamely thereafter. Heart Wood (advised @ 25/1 in the February) produced a career best in second without looking like troubling the runaway winner. It was a career best effort by Henry De Bromhead's charge on an afternoon his stable roared back to form with a double, courtesy of Air of Entitlement and Bob Olinger.

I am afraid it was a blank afternoon for followers of the OJA Festival Update - Asian Master, Answer To Kayf and Win Some Lose Some were disappointing and there were no excuses. However, the defeat of Sixandahalf in the mares' novice hurdle, which kicked off the card. was hard to swallow. Gavin Cromwell's mare moved smoothly throughout and, once hitting the front approaching the last, the race as a contest looked over. The five year old slightly skied the last but still looked in control. It wasn't until the last 100 yards that Air of Entitlement engaged top gear and she outstayed Keith Donoghue's partner. One can't help feeling the best mare finished second.

To add insult to injury, Jagwar was one of the selections for the novices' handicap chase before connections decided to steer him towards the Plate Handicap Chase instead. Despite a few iffy jumps, the J.P.McManus owned runner still had enough in hand to beat Thecompanysergeant by nearly three lengths. Similar to Iroko a few years ago, Olly Greenall and Josh Guerriero have done a terrific job with the ex-French gelding. His jockey Jonjo O'Neill jnr was partnering his first Festival winner for six year - Early Doors won the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle in 2019. It was a mixed afternoon for his rider following the sad death of Springwell Bay who fell at the third last in the novices' handicap chase. Indeed, it was a tough day for everyone at Jackdaws Castle and, to make things worse, Johnny Who was collared after the last when looking certain to win the Kim Muir. Racing is a great leveller.