Ruby Walsh: Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File set for Punchestown showdown to savour

As Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File take to the track for their fourth clash this season, it’s impossible to take a firm stance and be in one corner as to who is the best.

Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior had a great battle in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Steeplechase in November. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

The general consensus that the Closutton Express would roll into Punchestown and steamroll its way through the meeting took a little while to materialise on day one.

The opening two races stayed in Co Kildare with Ian McCarthy and Jessica Harrington. Still, Kalix Delabarriere got the ball rolling for Willie Mullins in the Killashee Handicap Hurdle under Sean Cleary-Farrell to back up his Fairyhouse success at Easter.