Gaelic Warrior triumphs in thrilling John Durkan duel at Punchestown
Gaelic Warrior, with Paul Townend up, jumps the last during the first circuit on their way to winning the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Steeplechas. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
There were 10 high-class horses in the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, but the race only ever concerned two. Willie Mullins’ pair, Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, made what might not have been much of a spectacle into a terrific climax, the former benefiting from a well-judged ride by Paul Townend to prevail by just a neck.
Without having to go at helter-skelter speed, the forward-going Gaelic Warrior built up a sizeable early advantage and, by halfway, what was billed as a great race was in danger of turning into a procession. Mark Walsh, however, was nursing Fact To File along and he chipped away at the advantage as Townend gave the leader a breather.
