Gaelic Warrior once again proved he belongs to the elite tier of staying chasers this season by adding the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup to his Cheltenham championship victory, delivering another masterclass performance. 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 moving into a clear lead with two fences remaining, at which point Paul Townend urged him forward.
The horse responded instantly, pulling away with such ease that he finished the race in a dominant fashion, crossing the line 26 lengths ahead of his stablemate and market rival Fact To File, who had tried to challenge him from the front. Mullins was visibly thrilled, saying, "It was a massive effort. My heart was in my mouth when Paul brought Fact To File alongside between the fourth‑last and third‑last fences.
I kept wondering whether they'd clash or what would happen. They were both giving it everything. Both jockeys were letting their mounts fly. Over that distance Gaelic Warrior seemed to have the measure of Fact To File.
Over a shorter trip the outcome might have been different. It was an extraordinary race – it takes two horses to make it that special.
It was great that JP (McManus) allowed Fact To File to take him on; it made the day unforgettable. Both horses got the race they wanted. Fact To File posted a respectable time up front, and Paul settled his horse nicely. There were no excuses from either side." Mullins also reflected on Gaelic Warrior's packed campaign, noting, "He started here in November, then went to Kempton for the King George, raced at the Dublin Racing Festival, contested Cheltenham and now back at Punchestown.
My philosophy is simple: if you have quality horses and sponsors willing to back a good purse, you should take the opportunities. I try to give them as many runs as possible when the conditions are right." 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 at a possible renewal of the rivalry next season, saying, "Targeting the John Durkan for Gaelic Warrior next year would be the logical plan." Owner Rich Ricci expressed his delight, stating, "We had never won this particular race before. It was very sporting of JP to run his horse; the ground perhaps didn't suit him, but he is a fantastic animal. I'm thrilled with the win. I haven't been at Punchestown since Ruby Walsh retired in 2019.
We've had a busy few years, COVID and everything, but the people here are wonderful and I couldn't be happier." In other Punchestown action, Le Frimeur continued his unbeaten streak in the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle, outpacing the well‑regarded Zanoosh and delivering trainer Harry Derham his first Grade One victory. After a brisk early pace set by Espresso Milan, J J Slevin guided Le Frimeur (18/1) to the front as the finish approached. Zanoosh, the 11/4 favourite, chased but fell six and a half lengths short. Derham, overwhelmed, said, "It's a cliché, but I really dream of training Grade One winners.
It's surreal – having access to top‑class horses makes everything easier. Simon approached me last year, promising this horse, and it has improved dramatically all spring.
We had no idea how good he was, and even now I'm not entirely sure. JJ said we made several mistakes in the race, yet Le Frimeur still beat a quality field. It's unbelievable.
We believed in the horse, otherwise we wouldn't have brought him here. JJ thought three miles was the right distance, and it paid off." Jockey JJ Slevin praised the young trainer, noting, "Harry is ambitious and only moving upward.
It was a big shout for him to run in that race. The facilities at Punchestown are top‑notch – great schooling grounds and gallops – so credit to him for the achievement." Meanwhile, Josh Halford timed his ride perfectly on With Nolimit in the Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race.
The five‑year‑old, who finished ninth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, held off a late surge from Festival hero The Mourne Rambler, who appeared to be hampered near the finish, and won by a length and three‑quarters over Noel Meade's 11/8 favourite. Trainer Gordon Elliott commented, "He ran a good race at Cheltenham, perhaps a bit too eager.
I think I gave Harry (Swan) the wrong instructions, but we took our time today. All credit to Josh for a superb ride. He's a hard‑working lad from a good background, patient and reliable.
He's been with me for a couple of years and has already delivered several winners. Winning a Grade One is a huge achievement; they're hard to come by." Elliott added that the victory brings his stable level with its best season tally of Grade One wins, now at twelve, and hopes for another before the week ends. Henry de Bromhead’s Nouvotic (7/1) produced a decisive performance in the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase, pulling clear three fences from the finish under jockey Darragh O'Keeffe. De Bromhead praised the win, especially for owner Roger Brookhouse, a loyal Punchestown supporter, saying, "It's wonderful to secure another victory for Roger, who comes here every year.
This is the second time we've won this race, the first being with Lets Go Champ a few years back. I was impressed by the easy lead Darragh secured; it's a real delight." When asked about the horse's potential for the Galway Plate, de Bromhead replied, "He could be a contender, though his rating might be a touch low.
He was rated 130 there, so he may not meet the cutoff, but he could target the Blazers or a similar race. He loves the ground." Overall, Punchestown delivered a day of memorable performances, with Gaelic Warrior’s dominant Gold Cup win capping a superb campaign, while emerging talents like Le Frimeur and With Nolimit added fresh excitement to the festival’s narrative. The event highlighted the depth of Irish training talent and the competitive spirit that defines the sport, promising further thrilling showdowns in the weeks and months ahead.