What was billed as a match turned into a rout. Gaelic Warrior won the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup by 26 lengths from stable companion Fact To File, cementing his position as the dominant staying chaser of the 2025-26 National Hunt season with a performance that followed up his eight-length Cheltenham Gold Cup win in March.
The Race
Fact To File, ridden by Mark Walsh, made the early running. Gaelic Warrior settled comfortably in the rear, Paul Townend biding his time as the field travelled into the final circuit. The decisive moment came between the fourth-last and third-last fences — Townend moved Gaelic Warrior alongside Fact To File and the two travelled in tandem briefly. Then, over the third-last, Gaelic Warrior simply went away. He put the race to bed immediately, pulling clear effortlessly and coasting home to win by 26 lengths.
The winning time of 6 minutes 31.80 seconds was 4.30 seconds slower than standard — reflecting the yielding ground — but the manner of the victory required no qualification.
Paul Townend's Reaction
Townend spoke to Racing TV after the race: "He was class, wasn't he? He was saucy on the way to the start which worried me a little bit, but he did chill out when we got there and once we jumped off he dropped his head. I got in a lovely little pocket and he did everything right from there."
He described Gaelic Warrior as an "iron horse" who is "always thinking on his feet" and who has "grown up a hell of a lot" and has "a hell of an engine."
Willie Mullins's Reaction
Mullins was candid: "A lot of our horses, today especially, have run poor — horses who have come back from Cheltenham. So I thought Fact To File might have the edge because he might be that bit fresher. But it didn't work out that way. I always feel class horses will produce even when the rest of the stable may be going back a little bit."
He added: "It was a huge performance. My heart was in my mouth when Paul joined him between the fourth-last and the third-last. Over that trip Gaelic Warrior seemed to have the measure of Fact To File. Over a shorter trip it might be different."
The Records
Gaelic Warrior's seventh Grade 1 win. The first Cheltenham Gold Cup winner to also win the Punchestown equivalent since Sizing John in 2017. Willie Mullins's eighth win in the race — making him the most successful trainer in the Punchestown Gold Cup's history, overtaking Tom Dreaper whose record included a treble for Arkle in 1964, 1965 and 1966. Paddy Power immediately made Gaelic Warrior the 2/1 favourite for the 2027 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Rich Ricci's Reaction
Owner Rich Ricci was visibly moved: "We've never won this race before. It was very sporting of JP to run his horse. The people here are brilliant and I'm thrilled to win the race. I couldn't be more delighted."
Trotbot identified Gaelic Warrior as yesterday's highest-confidence selection. Today's selection is live at horseracingoracleai.com
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Facts verified via web search April 30 2026. Sources: Irish Times Gold Cup report, Sky Sports Racing, Sporting Life race report, Racing Post result.