Gaelic Warrior once again proved that he belongs among the premier 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 colt, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, took the race in stride from the start, cruising round the field with a relaxed rhythm that belied the magnitude of the achievement.
Sent off as the 5/6 favourite, Gaelic Warrior settled comfortably behind the early pace set by his stablemate Fact To File. With two fences remaining, jockey Paul Townend urged his mount forward. The horse responded instantly, accelerating clear of the field and establishing a sizable lead.
By the finish line, the pair were well clear, with Gaelic Warrior crossing the line an astonishing 26 lengths ahead of Fact To File, who had been forced to battle for position at the front. Mullins could barely contain his excitement after the race. "It was a massive performance," he said. "When Paul asked Fact To File to join him between the fourth‑last and third‑last fences, my heart was in my mouth.
I wondered if they would clash or how they would respond. Both jockeys were given a free hand and Gaelic Warrior simply owned the race.
Over a shorter trip the outcome might have been different, but on this extended trip he showed the class to dominate the competition. It was a spectacular day, and JP (McManus) gave Fact To File a chance to challenge, which added to the drama. Both horses got the ride they wanted and there were no excuses." The win also highlighted the demanding campaign that Gaelic Warrior has endured this year. Mullins explained, "He started his season here in November, then went to Kempton for the King George, raced at the Dublin Racing Festival, won at Cheltenham and now back here at Punchestown.
My philosophy is simple: if you have the horse and the sponsors are offering good money, you take the opportunity. I try to give them as many chances as possible when the conditions suit." This meeting between Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File marked their third encounter of the season. Their first clash at Punchestown was in the John Durkan, after which Fact To File turned the tables in the Irish Gold Cup.
Mullins hinted that the pair could meet again in next season's John Durkan, saying, "That would be the ideal plan for Gaelic Warrior's return." Owner Rich Ricci also expressed his delight, noting that this was the first time his connections had ever won the Punchestown Gold Cup. "It was a great sportsmanship gesture from JP to run his horse, even if the ground didn't suit him. I'm thrilled to have the win, especially after a busy few years with the retirement of Ruby Walsh, the pandemic, and other challenges.
The people at Punchestown are wonderful, and I couldn't be happier with the result." The action at Punchestown did not stop with the Gold Cup. In the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle, Le Frimeur, trained by Harry Derham, kept his unbeaten record intact, defeating the heavily backed Zanoosh to give Derham his first Grade One victory.
After a patient ride from jockey JJ Slevin, the 18/1 outsider surged to the lead in the final stages and stayed on to finish six and a half lengths clear. Derham, beaming, said, "It's a cliché, but I truly dream of training a Grade One winner.
This makes it so much easier to attract top‑class horses. Simon (Munir) told me about this horse last year, and seeing it develop from a setback in the autumn to a Grade One winner this spring is unbelievable." Slevin praised the young trainer, commenting, "Harry is ambitious and only aims higher. The facilities here are world‑class, so credit to him for targeting this race and delivering a win." In the 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. Gordon Elliott, the horse's trainer, reflected on the performance: "He ran a good race at Cheltenham, perhaps a little too keen, and I may have given the wrong instructions. Today we took a more measured approach, and Josh gave him a brilliant ride.
He's a hard‑working lad, patient, and a great asset to the yard. Winning a Grade One is a huge achievement for both of us." Elliott added that the victory brought his stable's tally of Grade One wins to twelve for the season, hoping for more before the festival concludes. Henry de Bromhead also added a winner to his impressive record when Nouvotic, at 7/1, surged clear of the field after the third fence to claim the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase under jockey Darragh O'Keeffe.
De Bromhead praised the horse and his supporters: "It’s wonderful to get a win for Roger (Brookhouse), a great Punchestown enthusiast who comes every year. This is our second win in this race after Lets Go Champ a few years ago.
Darragh gave the horse a brilliant ride, and I'm delighted." When asked about the horse's future, de Bromhead mused, "He could be a Galway Plate contender, though his rating might be a touch low for entry. He loves the ground here, so he could also aim for the Blazer or similar staying events." Overall, Punchestown delivered a day packed with high‑quality racing, memorable duels, and breakthrough victories for trainers and owners alike. From Gaelic Warrior's emphatic double to the emergence of new Grade One winners, the meeting underscored why the Irish festival remains a highlight of the National Hunt calendar.