Gaelic Warrior once again proved he belongs among the top staying chasers of the season when he added the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup to his Cheltenham triumph, delivering a flawless performance that left spectators in awe. Trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, the eight‑year‑old bay thundered around the track with effortless grace, maintaining a smooth rhythm from the start. As the 5/6 favourite, he settled comfortably behind his stablemate Fact To File, who had taken the lead three fences out.
When jockey Paul Townend gave the signal with two fences remaining, Gaelic Warrior responded instantly, accelerating and pulling away with ease. The finish was a study in dominance: Gaelic Warrior coasted across the line 26 lengths clear of Fact To File, who had tried to press the pace from the front. Mullins could hardly contain his excitement, recalling the tense moment when Townend and Fact To File’s rider were side‑by‑side near the fourth‑last fence. "My heart was in my mouth," Mullins said.
"I wondered if they would clash, but both jockeys kept their composure and let the horses run their races. Over that distance Gaelic Warrior simply had the measure of Fact To File.
On a shorter trip the result might have been different, but today it was a spectacular race that required two top‑class horses to make it memorable. JP (McManus) gave Fact To File a chance, and that made the day even more special.
Both riders executed their plans perfectly – there were no excuses." Mullins also reflected on the packed schedule Gaelic Warrior has endured this campaign. The horse debuted at Punchestown in November, then tackled the King George VI at Kempton, the Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham, and returned to Punchestown for the Gold Cup. "My philosophy is simple," Mullins explained.
"If you have quality horses and sponsors willing to back a good purse, you should take the opportunity. I try to race them as often as the calendar allows 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, a race Fact To File later avenged by winning the Irish Gold Cup.
Looking ahead, Mullins hinted that the two may meet again in next season’s John Durkan, noting that it would be a logical target for Gaelic Warrior’s return. Owner Rich Ricci expressed his delight at the historic win, noting that his stable had never claimed the Punchestown Gold Cup before. "It was very sporting of JP to run his horse, even though the ground may not have suited him.
He's a fantastic horse," Ricci said. He added that he had been away from Punchestown since Ruby Walsh retired in 2019, and that the intervening years had been filled with a busy schedule, Covid disruptions, and other challenges. "The people here are brilliant, and I’m thrilled to have finally won this race. I couldn’t be happier," he concluded.
The card also featured a standout performance from Le Frimeur, who continued his unbeaten streak by winning the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle. Trained by Harry Derham, the 18/1 outsider surged to the front as J J Slevin guided him home, finishing six and a half lengths clear of the 11/4 favourite Zanoosh.
Derham, who secured his first Grade One victory, described the moment as a dream come true. "It’s a cliché, but I truly dream about training Grade One winners. It feels unreal, especially when you have access to horses of this caliber. Simon (Munir) introduced me to Le Frimeur last year, and the horse has improved dramatically each spring.
We had no idea how good he would be, and even now I’m still amazed." Slevin praised Derham’s ambition, noting that the young trainer is “only going one way – up.” He highlighted the excellent facilities at Punchestown, from the gallops to the schooling grounds, and commended Derham for taking a chance on a high‑rated horse in a top‑level contest. In the flat race division, Josh Halford timed his ride to perfection on With Nolimit, guiding the five‑year‑old to victory in the Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H.
Flat Race. The horse, trained by Gordon Elliott, had finished ninth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham but showed marked improvement. Halford held off a late challenge from Festival hero The Mourne Rambler, securing a win by a length and three‑quarters over Noel Meade’s 11/8 favourite. Elliott lauded Halford’s professionalism, calling him a hard‑working yard hand who deserved the Grade One triumph.
The day also saw Henry de Bromhead’s Nouvotic claim the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase, pulling clear three fences out under jockey Darragh O’Keeffe. De Bromhead praised the win as a tribute to supporter Roger Brookhouse, a regular visitor to Punchestown, and recalled a similar victory with Lets Go Champ a few years earlier. He hinted that Nouvotic could be a contender for the Galway Plate, though rating considerations might affect his entry. Overall, Punchestown delivered a memorable festival of racing, with Gaelic Warrior’s double cementing his status as the premier staying chaser of the year, while emerging talents and seasoned veterans alike added depth and excitement to the meeting.
The performances showcased the depth of Irish training talent, the strategic acumen of top jockeys, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines National Hunt racing today.