English/Ire
Gaelic Warrior wows Cheltenham crowd with Gold Cup demolition
Gaelic Warrior ran out one of the most impressive winners of the Gold Cup in recent years thanks to a destructive performance under Paul Townend.
With no Galopin Des Champs to ride, Paul Townend switched his attention to the 2024 Arkle hero and from flag fall, the Closutton number one always looked content with his position.
Sean Bowen and Haiti Couleurs ensured there would be no hiding place this year as he galloped away on the front end but as his Gold Cup came to a premature end three from home, a whole host of horses arrived on the scene travelling powerfully.
You could throw a blanket over the leading pack as the field swung for home, but none were travelling as well as Gaelic Warrior, who without even being given an inch of rein, breezed to the head of affairs. When Townend did let out an inch, the response was instant and with the minimum of fuss, he scooted clear of the chasing Jango Baie before cruising up the hill to strike by an eventual effortless eight lengths.
Inothewayyourthinkin put up his best performance since landing the race twelve months ago back in third, while The Jukebox Man had his connections dreaming coming down the hill before eventually fading out of contention.
Mullins, who was winning his fifth Gold Cup having landed the prize twice each with Al Boum Photo, was quick to pass the plaudits onto Townend.
He said: "He's such a cool jockey and a superb horse, it was a hell of a performance. Rich (Ricci, owner) has already won the Champion Hurdle this week and Paul won that and the Champion Chase, it's incredible.
"It was an extraordinary performance, and I'm delighted for the Ricci's, I think they are the first owners to win the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup in the same season.
A commanding winner of the Aintree Bowl last season, Gaelic Warrior has been performing admirably in Grade 1 company this year, defeating Fact To File on his seasonal reappearance in the John Durkan before excellent efforts in defeat in both the King George and Irish Gold Cup.
Mullins added: "I'm delighted for Paul; he was so cool on him. Could you imagine what was going through his head going to the last fence, I can only tell you what was going through mine, but we won't talk about that now! We've had so many last-fence mishaps here.
"The way he did it was spectacular, very dominant. He can be keen, but Paul got everything right and the horse put in a tremendous round of jumping. When you pair that with his ability it's fantastic for owner and jockey."
The success was completing a memorable double for leading owner Rich Ricci, whose famous pink and green spotted silks were celebrated in the winners' circle with Lossiemouth on Tuesday.
"I've been trying to win this race for 21 years, it's brilliant, magic. These people are so lovely to me," said Ricci, who famously doesn't watch his horses run but instead listens to the commentary.
"It was a great ride by Paul. I haven't seen the race, but I've heard it was! It's been a great week, incredible, great racing, great winners, a good race today. I'm pleased for the horse. We try to buy Gold Cup winners, but we've never managed it before today.
"We've reached the mountain, but I love the game, it's kept me involved all these years, the passion of the people. They take me as they find me, I'm not the easiest man, I'm an American, I'm loud, obnoxious, this that and the other, but the people have been good to me and long may it last."
Paul Townend was left 'speechless' after surpassing the great Pat Taafe's record and becoming the winning-most rider of the Gold Cup.
He said: "It's the Gold Cup. I always say they just get better and better. Oh my God, I'm speechless!
"We were dealt a big blow with Galopin Des Champs coming out, I was lucky enough for this lad to come along. Patrick was convinced that he was the horse for the race.
"He's done a lot of work with this horse from the last day, it's a huge team effort, I was just the fortunate one to be on his back today."
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