Gaelic Warrior Shows His Class At Sandown

Gaelic Warrior (7g Maxios – Game Of Legs, by Hernando) followed up his Grade 1 win in the Aintree Bowl with a clearcut victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown.

Willie Mullins’ four-time Grade 1 winner was sent off favourite under Paul Towend and raced towards the back of the field for much of the two-mile-and-six-furlong contest. Travelling well in behind the leaders as they turned for home, he led from the second last and extended his advantage with a big jump at the final fence. The Susannah Ricci-owned bay went on to win by five lengths comfortable.

Speaking after the race, owner Rich Ricci said: “I'm not sure he's a Cheltenham Gold Cup horse but he looks to me like a King George horse. Willie thinks the world of him over any trip and, to me, he's a stayer on anything other than soft or heavy ground, so I imagine the King George will be the target.”

Saturday saw Gaelic Warrior bring his earnings past the £600,000 mark. The son of Castlehyde Stud sire Maxios was bred by the Niarchos family.