Fact To File and Mark Walsh after John Durkan win for trainer Willie Mullins and owner JP McManus© Photo Healy Racing
Take a look at the market movers with BoyleSports for the Cheltenham Festival 2025 after a top-notch weekend of action.
Fact To File 5/2 from 7/2
Trainer quote following John Durkan Win at Punchestown:
What a race! I was trying to keep an eye on them all and I think it’s a testament to the race that the horse that tried to keep up with Galopin Des Champs. I thought we were beaten when Spillane’s Tower came up alongside us halfway up the run-in so it just shows that he’s made that leap from novice company to senior company that he could pull out more. I love that in a horse that he could pull out a bit extra to get home. Mark said he took a blow but stayed on well to win. He’s over 17 hands but an athletic horse with it. He has a lovely temperament and true grit. I don’t know where they will go next but Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs could both run at Leopardstown. Some of the ones behind could run at Tramore (on New Year's Day). (Willie Mullins)
Spillane’s Tower 9/1 from 18/1
Trainer quote following John Durkan 2nd at Punchestown:
I’m absolutely over the moon, delighted with him. He hasn’t been on grass since he won here at the Festival. You couldn’t really because the ground has been so firm. There is everything to look forward to but don’t ask me where he will run next as I couldn’t tell you. He has options between two and a half miles and three miles and last year’s novice form is working out well. It was a great race and you had the best of horses and the best of jockeys. (Jimmy Mangan)
Galopin des Champs remains 7/2 (drifted briefly to 9/2)
Trainer quote following John Durkan 3rd at Punchestown:
It was a hell of a race, and I think all these horses are going to win big races between now and the end of the season.Grangeclare West, had to pull up before the last and he still ran on to finish third. I don’t know where they will go next but Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs could both run at Leopardstown. (Willie Mullins)
Grey Dawning remains 16/1
Trainer quote following Betfair Chase 2nd at Haydock Park:
I don’t know if we didn’t quite stay the last 50 yards or whether it was the ground. I’m sure he stays, because if he doesn’t stay who does? It is pretty attritional ground. He’s improved on last year, that’s for sure. He has to have improved on last year, look what he’s just done. It’s disappointing to get beat, but I’m delighted with the horse. The way he jumped on the way round was superb and I think there’s plenty to come. Christmas will be too soon by probably six weeks, there’s no way you’ll see him at Christmas. I have no idea where we will go and with respect I think it’s inappropriate to ask because the horse has just put that on the line. (Dan Skelton)
Fastorslow drifted to 12/1 from 7/1
State Man 3/1 from 9/4
Trainer quote following Morgiana Hurdle 2nd at Punchestown:
She’s a good mare and I never mind being beaten by a good horse. I don’t think the last hurdle made the difference. He got to the front and she outbattled him. (Willie Mullins)
Brighterdaysahead 7/1 from 12/1
Trainer quote following Morgiana Hurdle win at Punchestown:
I know she had race fitness, but I thought it was a good performance. Everything went wrong for her because she was on her own in front. She would be better with a lead. We knew two miles would be a bit short for her, but she had race fitness and we had to make use of it. She was idling in front and wasn’t doing a stroke, so you would have to be happy. She is having a good blow, so there is plenty of improvement in her. She’s a good mare. The Mares' Hurdle is probably the race made for her, but we’ll see what happens. Leopardstown could be a bit sharp for her, but we’ll have a chat with Michael and Eddie (O'Leary) and see what they would like to do. (Gordon Elliott)
Ballyburn 6/4 from 2/1
Trainer quote following Beginners’ Chase win at Punchestown:
He did things very well and took a good blow during the race which means there is a lot of improvement to come. A lot of ours are running that way and it was a worry going out. He jumped from fence to fence and I was very pleased. I think Paul was very pleased as well. He has a lovely low head carriage and usually horses with a head carriage like that are very good jumpers. I haven’t been looking past today but we’ll have a look at what’s available and there is a chance he could go to England. (Willie Mullins)
Touch Me Not - introduced at 33/1
Trainer quote following Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase win at Punchestown:
He came from the point-to-point field in England. He actually fell at the last in his point-to-point, believe it or not. I was worried about the ground but it was a good performance. He obviously came on from the last day. He was very keen at home as a young horse and he wasn’t showing me anything, but he’s come a long way in six months. (Gordon Elliott)
