Warrior battles to success in Hunters Chase

Cool Warrior took top honours after a thrilling finish to the KFM Hunters Chase at Punchestown.

John Robinson’s multiple point-to-point winner was fourth in the corresponding race 12 months ago and it was clear from the top of the straight that his only real danger was last year’s winner Shin A Vee.

The latter looked like securing back-to-back successes when drawing on after jumping the final fence but 12-1 chance Cool Warrior, whose dam Sally Willows won the race in 1997, came back for more and passed the post three-quarters of a length ahead.

“His mother won this back in 1997 when I rode her,” said Robinson.

“He wants dry ground. He ran in this last year but it rained the night before and turned sticky.

“He only finished fourth. Any day he has the ground good or better he’s always in it.

“This was always the plan for him. This was the only race my uncle Peter (Lawler, owner) wanted to win.

“From the day he sent the mare to the stallion this was the plan.”