Gaelic Warrior once again proved he belongs in the upper echelons of staying chasers this season, adding the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup to his Cheltenham triumph with a masterful display. The eight‑year‑old, trained by the renowned Willie Mullins, settled into a smooth rhythm from the start. As the 5/6 favourite, he effortlessly drifted ahead of his stablemate Fact To File, who had been sent out three fences earlier, before Paul Townend asked him to quicken his pace with two fences left to negotiate.
The response was immediate. Gaelic Warrior surged clear of the field, never looking back, and crossed the finish line a staggering 26 lengths ahead of Fact To File, who had tried to press the pace from the front.
Mullins could hardly contain his excitement, saying, "It was a massive performance. 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 would clash or how they would react. Both jockeys let their horses run freely, and Gaelic Warrior simply had the measure of Fact To File over that trip.
On a shorter course the outcome might have been different, but today it was a spectacular race. It takes two top‑class horses to make a day memorable, and JP McManus gave Fact To File the chance to challenge, which added drama for the spectators." Mullins continued, "Both horses got the race they wanted. Fact To File posted a nice time up front, and Paul settled Gaelic Warrior perfectly. There are no excuses – they both rode exactly as they intended." He also reflected on the demanding campaign his charge has endured: "He began his season here in November, then travelled to Kempton for the King George, the Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham and back to Punchestown.
My philosophy is simple – if the horses are fit and the sponsors provide good money, you seize the opportunity. I aim 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 came in the John Durkan at Punchestown, after which Fact To File exacted revenge in the Irish Gold Cup.
Mullins hinted that the two may meet again in next season's John Durkan, noting, "That would be the logical plan for Gaelic Warrior's return." Owner Rich Ricci expressed his delight at the historic win: "We have never taken this race before, so it was incredibly special. JP was very sporting in running his horse, even if the ground didn’t suit him perfectly.
I’m thrilled – I haven’t been at Punchestown since Ruby Walsh retired in 2019, and after a busy few years with Covid and everything else, it feels wonderful to stand here and win. The people here are fantastic, and I couldn’t be happier." The card also featured a standout performance from Le Frimeur, who kept his unbeaten record intact in the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle. Riding for trainer Harry Derham, jockey J.J. Slevin sent the 18/1 outsider to the front after Espresso Milan set the early pace.
The favourite, Zanoosh, chased hard for a potential six‑taster but faded, finishing six and a half lengths behind the winner. Derham, who celebrated his first Grade One victory, said, "It’s a cliché, but I truly dream of training Grade One winners. It feels unreal, and having access to horses of this calibre is unbelievable.
Simon Munir and Isaac Souede have been instrumental – they believed in Le Frimeur, and the horse has improved dramatically all spring." Slevin praised the young trainer, noting, "Harry is ambitious and only moves upward. It was a bold call to run him in this race, and the facilities at Punchestown – the gallops, schooling grounds – are superb." In the flat division, Josh Halford timed his ride perfectly on With Nolimit to secure victory in the Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race. The five‑year‑old, trained by Gordon Elliott, had finished ninth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham but showed great improvement, holding off a late challenge from Festival hero The Mourne Rambler and finishing a length and three‑quarters ahead of Noel Meade’s 11/8 favourite.
Elliott reflected, "He ran a good race at Cheltenham, perhaps a little over‑done. I may have given Harry Swan the wrong instructions, but today we took our time and Josh delivered a superb ride. Josh works hard in the yard, is from good stock, and his patience paid off – winning a Grade One is a huge achievement." The day also saw Henry de Bromhead’s Nouvotic claim the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase, pulling clear three fences from the finish under jockey Darragh O'Keeffe. De Bromhead said, "It’s wonderful to get 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 Let’s Go Champ. The lead Darragh got was easy, and I’m delighted." When asked about a potential Galway Plate run, de Bromhead replied, "He could contest it, though his rating might not be high enough – he was 130 there, so it may be a stretch. He could suit the Blazers or similar races; he loves this ground." Overall, Punchestown delivered a memorable festival, with Gaelic Warrior’s dominant Gold Cup double, Le Frimeur’s first Grade One, and several other thrilling performances underscoring the quality of Irish National Hunt racing. The event highlighted the strategic planning of top trainers, the skill of jockeys, and the resilience of horses who thrive on a busy campaign, offering fans a day packed with drama, skill, and unforgettable moments.