Gaelic Warrior once again proved he is the premier staying chaser of the season when he added the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup to his Cheltenham triumph, delivering another masterclass performance. The eight‑year‑old, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, travelled with effortless poise from the start.
As the 5/6 favourite, he settled comfortably before making his move two fences from the finish, responding instantly to Paul Townend's urging and pulling away without difficulty. By the time he crossed the line, he was a full 26 lengths clear of his stablemate Fact To File, who had attempted to challenge him from the front.
Mullins could not hide his excitement after the race, saying, "It was a massive performance. My heart was in my mouth when Paul rode Fact To File alongside Gaelic Warrior in the final stages. I kept wondering whether they would clash or what would happen. Both jockeys gave them a run, and over that distance Gaelic Warrior seemed to have the measure of Fact To File.
Over a shorter trip the result might have been different, but it was a spectacular race. It takes two top‑class horses to make a day like this memorable, and it was great that JP McManus let Fact To File give him a run.
Both horses got the race they wanted, and there were no excuses." The trainer also reflected on the busy campaign that has seen Gaelic Warrior race at several of the sport's biggest meetings. "He started here in November, then went to Kempton for the King George, the Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham and now back to Punchestown. My philosophy is simple: if you have the horses and the sponsors are offering good money, you should take the opportunity. I try to run them as often as possible when the chances are right," he explained.
This meeting marked the third encounter between Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File this season. Their first clash was in the John Durkan at Punchestown, after which Fact To File turned the tables in the Irish Gold Cup. Mullins hinted that the two may meet again next season in the John Durkan, saying, "That would be the right plan for Gaelic Warrior's return." Owner Rich Ricci shared his delight at the historic win, noting that the stable had never claimed the Punchestown Gold Cup before.
"It was very sporting of JP to run his horse. The ground may not have suited him, but he is a fantastic horse.
I'm thrilled to win it. I haven't been at Punchestown since Ruby Walsh retired in 2019, and after a busy few years, Covid and everything else, it feels great. The people here are brilliant, and I couldn't be happier," Ricci said.
In other Punchestown action, Le Frimeur continued his unbeaten run in the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle, beating the well‑regarded Zanoosh by six and a half lengths. Trainer Harry Derham, who secured his first Grade One victory, praised the quality of his horse and the support from owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. "It's a cliché, but I truly dream of training Grade One winners. It's unreal and makes everything easier when you have top‑class horses.
Simon approached me last year and said he wanted to send this horse my way. The horse improved all spring, and we had no idea how good he would be.
JJ said he made some mistakes in the race, but he still beat a strong field," Derham explained. J.J. Slevin, who rode Le Frimeur, lauded Derham's ambition, saying, "Harry is a young, ambitious trainer who is only going upward. It was a big shout for him to bring a horse like this to this level.
The facilities at Punchestown are superb, and it was a fair day for him." Josh Halford delivered a perfectly timed ride on With Nolimit 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 stepped up to claim victory, holding off Festival hero The Mourne Rambler and finishing a length and three‑quarters ahead of Noel Meade's 11/8 favourite. Elliott praised Halford, noting, "He gave him a great ride.
He's a hard worker in the yard, patient and quiet, and I'm thrilled for him to win a Grade One. It's tough to get these wins." The day also saw Henry de Bromhead's Nouvotic, at 7/1, dominate the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase, pulling clear three fences from the finish under jockey Darragh O'Keeffe. De Bromhead expressed his pleasure, especially for sponsor Roger Brookhouse, a loyal Punchestown supporter, saying, "It's lovely to get a win for Roger, who comes every year. This is our second victory in this race after Lets Go Champ.
Darragh got an easy lead, and I'm delighted." When asked about the horse's future, de Bromhead mused that Nouvotic could be a contender for the Galway Plate, though rating considerations might affect his entry. "He loves the ground here and could be aimed at the Blazers or similar races," he added. Overall, Punchestown delivered a day of high‑quality racing, with multiple Grade One victories, thrilling duels, and promising performances that set the stage for future contests. The festival reinforced its reputation as a showcase for elite staying talent, while trainers and owners celebrated the rewards of careful planning, robust horse‑care, and the excitement that only top‑level National Hunt racing can provide.