✨ Explore this insightful post from BBC Sport 📖
📂 Category:
💡 Here’s what you’ll learn:
Gaelic Warrior held off a late charge from stablemate Fact To File to win the exciting John Durkan Chase at Punchestown.
The 13-8 winner had built up a sizeable lead under Paul Townend by halfway, but was pushed straight to the line after a strong lead by Mark Walsh aboard the favorite Fact To File (11-8).
Both of the top two are trained by Willie Mullins, while the strong field on Sunday also includes 2025 Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus and 2023 John Durkan winner Fastorslow.
“This was a proper horse race,” winning jockey Townend told RTE Sport.
“He took a break when he needed it and allowed himself to fill his energy to go to Mark anyway.
“[He had] Good jump at the end when it was all on the line and he put his head down and got back up. “His jump kept it together, which was a big help.”
In light to heavy conditions, Townend and Gaelic Warrior – the second favourites – put significant daylight between them and the rest at halfway, giving the chasing group plenty of work to do.
However, the leader’s fast early pace proved difficult to maintain, and Fact To File looked to have all the momentum after closing the gap and striking out to the front heading into the final flight.
But Gaelic Warrior dug deep to win by a neck in a thrilling home run, with Fastorslow (10-1) 29 lengths behind in third.
💬 Tell us your thoughts in comments!
#️⃣ #John #Durkan #Chase #Gallic #Warrior #takes #Fact #File #thriller #Punchestown
