More Willie Mullins success at Cheltenham Festival as Fact To File eases to Brown Advisory victory

Talked of as a serious Gold Cup horse of the future, the JP McManus-owned 8/13 favourite was given a patient ride by Mark Walsh through the early stages, before things tightened up, with the field almost inseparable over the third-last fence.

Around the bend horses started to drop away, however, and nothing could go with the market leader – who was second in the Champion Bumper here last year – as he accelerated clear after the last.

Monty’s Star (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) was three and three-quarter lengths back in second, with Giovinco third at 40/1 for Lucinda Russell.

McManus said: “I was nervous and I thought he got a little warm and on his toes beforehand.

“I think Mark did a great job to get him settled and I think he will learn a lot from that race, I’m just relieved.

“It’s all in front of him and when Willie decided to go straight chasing with him I had no objection, it sounded good to me. It has been vindicated.”