Ruby Walsh: Gaelic Warrior to benefit from step up in distance

Returning to the three-mile novice hurdle, there are still five novices who could conceivably collect the top prize, but the one who interests me most is Gaelic Warrior.

Facile Vega (Paul Townend) on his way to winning the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle last night. Pic: Sportsfile

Aintree’s loss is most definitely Punchestown’s gain, and that comes in the form of Bravemansgame being allowed to take his chance in this evening’s Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup.

He was prevented from running at Liverpool 12 days ago because, to keep it general, one of his then-owners had issues with financial matters and the British government. A subsequent sale of John Dances’s half had made Brian Drew his sole owner and allowed Paul Nicholls to let his stable star take his chance against his Gold Cup conqueror Galopin Des Champs.