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Gaelic Warrior Edges Fact To File to Win John Durkan Thriller at Punchestown

A bold front-running ride on soft-to-heavy ground turned a star-studded Grade One into a two-horse duel settled on the run-in.

Overview

  • Ridden by Paul Townend, Gaelic Warrior opened a clear early lead and then rallied after Fact To File and Mark Walsh briefly edged ahead at the last to score by a neck.
  • Willie Mullins supplied the first two home as stablemates Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File pulled well clear of the field.
  • Fastorslow finished third, 29 lengths behind the principals, underscoring the dominance of the front pair.
  • The deep field featured Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, 2024 Grand National hero I Am Maximus and Brown Advisory winner Lecky Watson.
  • Townend called it “a proper horse race,” praising Gaelic Warrior’s jumping and late resolve in testing conditions.