A long-term track record helps you check how the fund has fared in both bad and good times. Generally, during a bull run, when the markets go up, it is very difficult to realise which fund is good and which fund is benefiting from the prevailing market conditions. To get the true picture, it is in your good interest to check the performance of a fund in both falling and rising markets. The fund that is consistent and meets or beats its benchmark in both falling and rising markets is what one should ideally invest in.