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 performance that left spectators in awe. The eight‑year‑old, trained by the renowned Willie Mullins stable, travelled with effortless grace from the start. As the 5/6 favourite, he settled comfortably before making a decisive move two fences from the finish, responding to Paul Townend's urging with a smooth acceleration that left his rivals trailing. Fact To File, the stablemate and market challenger, attempted to press the pace early, but Gaelic Warrior simply pulled away, creating a gap that widened rapidly.
By the time the finish line loomed, the champion was already 26 lengths clear, cruising home without any sign of strain. Mullins could barely contain his excitement, recalling how his heart was in his mouth when Townend and Fact To File briefly converged near the penultimate fences. He wondered aloud whether the two might collide, but the pair continued unabated, each jockey allowing his mount to run its own race. "Both horses got the run they wanted," Mullins said.
"Fact To File posted a respectable time up front, and Paul settled Gaelic Warrior perfectly. There were no excuses – just a spectacular showdown that highlighted the quality of both runners." The victory was part of a packed campaign for Gaelic Warrior, who has been racing almost non‑stop since November. After a debut at Punchestown, he tackled the King George VI Chase at Kempton, competed in the Dublin Racing Festival, and then triumphed at Cheltenham before returning to Punchestown for the Gold Cup.
Mullins explained his philosophy: when the horses are fit and the sponsors offer attractive purses, he prefers to give them as many top‑level opportunities as possible. 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 pair could meet again in next season's John Durkan, earmarking that race as a suitable target for Gaelic Warrior's return.
Owner Rich Ricci expressed his delight at securing a first‑ever win in the Punchestown Gold Cup. He praised JP McManus for his sportsmanship in entering Fact To File, noting that the ground may not have suited the veteran. Ricci also reflected on his own journey, mentioning the hiatus since Ruby Walsh's retirement in 2019, the disruptions caused by COVID‑19, and the warm welcome he received from the Punchestown community. In addition to the Gold Cup, the meeting featured several other noteworthy performances.
Le Frimeur, trained by Harry Derham, upheld an unbeaten record by winning the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle, handing trainer Derham his inaugural Grade One victory. Riding at 18/1, J.J. Slevin guided the horse to the front after a strong finish, leaving the 11/4 favourite Zanoosh six and a half lengths behind. Derham, visibly emotional, described the win as a lifelong dream, emphasizing how access to top‑class horses like Le Frimeur can transform a trainer's career.
Slevin also lauded Derham's ambition, noting that the young trainer is clearly on an upward trajectory. He highlighted the excellent facilities at Punchestown, from the gallops to the schooling grounds, and praised the fairness of the race conditions that allowed a newcomer to shine. The flat programme produced its own drama when Josh Halford timed his ride perfectly on With Nolimit, securing victory in the Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race.
The five‑year‑old, trained by Gordon Elliott, had previously finished ninth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham but displayed remarkable improvement, holding off a late surge from Festival hero The Mourne Rambler to win by a length and three‑quarters. Elliott reflected on the horse's progress, acknowledging that a more measured approach at Punchestown helped unlock its potential. He praised Halford for his composure and hard work, noting that the jockey is a valued member of the yard and has contributed to several recent winners. Elliott also highlighted that this Grade One win adds to an already impressive season tally of twelve top‑level victories for his operation, with hopes of adding another before the week concludes.
Henry de Bromhead's Nouvotic, starting at 7/1, demonstrated dominance in the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase, pulling clear three fences from the finish under Darragh O'Keeffe. De Bromhead expressed gratitude to long‑time supporter Roger Brookhouse, who frequently visits Punchestown and has been instrumental in the stable's success there. He recalled previous wins with Lets Go Champ and noted the ease with which O'Keeffe secured the lead. When asked about future ambitions, de Bromhead suggested Nouvotic could be a contender for the Galway Plate, though rating considerations might affect entry.
He added that the horse enjoys the Punchestown surface and could also be suited to races like the Blazers. Overall, Punchestown delivered a day of high‑octane racing, memorable duels, and breakthrough victories that will be discussed for weeks to come. The festival underscored the depth of talent across trainers, jockeys, and horses, and set the stage for intriguing storylines as the season progresses into its final chapters.