Gaelic Warrior is hugely impressive in Punchestown Gold Cup display

Gaelic Warrior (5/6 favourite) completed the Cheltenham-Punchestown Gold Cup double in emphatic fashion at Punchestown this afternoon.

Winner of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding became the first horse since Sizing John to complete the big National Hunt double.

Ridden towards the rear of the field for most of the race, Paul Townend was happy to allow Fact To File (13/8) and Mark Walsh set the pace.

Grangeclare West (28/1) and 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin (8/1) disputed second and third for most of the 3 mile 213 yards race, with the Rich Ricci-owned Gaelic Warrior next, with Danny Mullins aboard Champ Kiely (33/1) in last position.

Once Townend decided to make his move, the result of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup never looked in doubt, as the Closutton inmate ran out a most impressive 26-length victor.

The J.P. McManus-owned Fact To File was runner-up, with Grangeclare West and Brian Hayes in third, 28 lengths behind the runner-up – completing a trifecta for Willie Mullins-handled horses in the five-runner contest.

Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayurthink, also in the McManus colours, was fourth, another 37 lengths back, with Champ Kiely failing to finish.

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