Gaelic Warrior once again proved why he is the leading staying chaser of the season, adding the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup to his Cheltenham triumph with a dominant display that left spectators in awe. Trained by the renowned Willie Mullins and now eight years old, the bay gelding travelled the course with effortless ease. As the 5/6 favourite, he settled comfortably before moving into a clear lead with two fences remaining, at which point Paul Townend urged him forward. The horse responded instantly, pulling away without any sign of strain and eventually crossing the finish line a staggering 26 lengths ahead of his stablemate and market rival Fact To File, who had attempted to press the pace from the front.
Mullins could not hide his excitement after the race. "It was a massive performance.
My heart was in my mouth when Paul brought Fact To File alongside between the fourth-last and the third-last fence. I was wondering whether they would clash or what would happen. They were both travelling at a serious clip," he said.
"Both jockeys gave them all they had. Over this distance Gaelic Warrior seemed to have the measure of Fact To File. Over a shorter trip the result might have been different, but today it was a spectacular race.
It takes two top‑class horses to make a day like this memorable, and JP (McManus) allowing Fact To File to challenge made it even more exciting. Both horses got the race they wanted. Fact To File posted a respectable time up front and Paul was able to settle his mount perfectly. No excuses at all." The win adds another chapter to Gaelic Warrior's packed campaign.
Mullins recapped his schedule: "He started here in November, then went to Kempton for the King George, the Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham and now back to Punchestown. My philosophy is simple – if you have quality horses and the sponsors are offering good money, you take the opportunities. I try to run them as often as we can when the conditions suit." This meeting marked the third clash between Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File this season. Their first encounter was in the John Durkan at Punchestown, after which Fact To File turned the tables in the Irish Gold Cup.
Mullins hinted that the two could meet again next season in the John Durkan, saying, "That would be the logical plan for Gaelic Warrior's return." Owner Rich Ricci expressed his delight at the historic victory: "We've never won this race before. It was very sporting of JP to run his horse; the ground probably didn't suit him, but he's a fantastic animal.
I'm thrilled to claim this win. I haven't been at Punchestown since Ruby Walsh retired in 2019. We've had a busy few years with Covid and other challenges, but the people here are brilliant and I'm over‑the‑moon with this result." The meeting also produced other notable performances.
In the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle, Le Frimeur upheld his unbeaten record, cruising home to defeat the well‑regarded Zanoosh and giving trainer Harry Derham his first Grade One success. After the race Derham admitted, "It's a cliché, but I genuinely dream about training Grade One winners.
This victory makes everything easier when you have such talented horses. Simon (Munir) grabbed me at last year’s meeting and said he would send me this horse.
To have access to horses of this calibre is unbelievable." Le Frimeur's jockey, J.J. Slevin, praised the young trainer: "Harry is ambitious and only moving upwards. It was a big shout from Harry to run him in that race.
The facilities here are superb – great schooling grounds and gallops – so credit to him." In the Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race, Josh Halford timed his ride perfectly on With Nolimit, who held off a late challenge from Festival hero The Mourne Rambler to win by a length and three‑quarters. Trainer Gordon Elliott reflected on the 14/1 winner: "He ran a good race at Cheltenham but may have been over‑fitted. I think I gave Harry (Swan) the wrong instructions, but Josh gave him a brilliant ride.
I'm delighted for Josh – he works hard in the yard and is a lovely lad. He's from good stock, has been with me for a couple of years, and consistently produces winners. Winning a Grade One is tough, so this is a huge achievement for us." Elliott added that the victory brings his stable level with its best season in terms of Grade One wins, now tallying twelve and hoping for another before the week ends.
Henry de Bromhead's Nouvotic (7/1) also shone, pulling clear three fences out to capture the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase under jockey Darragh O'Keeffe. De Bromhead praised the effort: "It's wonderful to secure a win, especially for Roger Brookhouse, a great supporter of Punchestown who comes here every year. This is our second win in this race after Lets Go Champ.
I couldn't believe how easily Darragh got the lead – I'm delighted." When asked about the horse's future, de Bromhead mused, "He could be a Galway Plate contender, but he may not be rated high enough at 130. He might be better suited to a Blazer race or similar.
He loves the ground here." Overall, Punchestown delivered a day of high‑quality racing, with Gaelic Warrior's double cementing his status as the season's premier staying chaser and providing a thrilling narrative for fans and connections alike.