Gaelic Warrior Provides Maxios With Further Grade 1 Glory

Gaelic Warrior (7g Maxios – Game Of Legs, by Hernando) bounced back to form on Thursday to record his fourth Grade 1 win in the Aintree Bowl Chase.

Willie Mullins’ charge was ridden patiently by the trainer’s son Patrick and had four rivals in front of him entering the straight. Ridden into third at the second last, he led after the final fence and kept on to beat the favourite Grey Dawning (Flemensfirth) by three lengths. The front pair finished 10 lengths clear of the third.

“I've got a soft spot for this fellow,” Patrick Mullins said after the race. “He's got a huge engine. When I gave him a squeeze, he came to life. He's just a very good horse.”

Owned by Mrs Susannah Ricci, Gaelic Warrior was bred by the Niarchos family, who also owned and bred Maxios himself. The Castlehyde Stud sire enjoyed another significant result on Thursday when debut winner Smokehouse (4g Maxios – Crystal Pearl, by Beat Hollow) sold for £100,000.

Andy Slattery’s charge was sent off favourite for a four-year-old maiden at Belclare and won it in the style of a smart horse, in the fastest time of the day. The race has produced Grade 1 performers in the past, including Topofthegame (Flemensfirth).

The Paul Rothwell-bred gelding now joins the stable of Jamie Snowdon, who purchased him with Tom Malone at the Goffs UK Aintree Sale after racing. He hails from Maxios' first crop conceived at Castlehyde Stud.