More Grade 1 Glory For Top-Class Son Of Maxios

Gaelic Warrior (7g Maxios - Game Of Legs, by Hernando) added another Grade 1 success to his CV when front-running to victory in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.

Having secured top-level honours as a novice hurdler and novice chaser, the son of Maxios had also won the Bowl Chase at Aintree in April, defeating yesterday’s Betfair Chase victor Grey Dawning by three lengths.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding set a strong tempo under Paul Townend and did not see another rival for most of the race, pulling significantly clear of eventual runner-up Fact To File halfway during the contest.

Gaelic Warrior showed a tenacious attitude from the final fence to win by a neck after a tremendous battle with Fact To File, while there was a further 29 lengths back to the third-placed runner.

Mullins said: “It was a hell of a horse race, and it was a pity someone had to lose but both horses gave their all and it was just a bob of a head.

“Fact To File looked all over a winner coming down to the last and Gaelic Warrior just found more reserves. Paul said he was just so free and well in himself; he just wanted to gallop and jump.

“Paul said he was a passenger most of the way and out over the first two he didn’t have much say in the matter.

“He was able to get a breather into him at the fourth last and maybe after the third last which gave him a little bit of powder coming down to the last.

“Paul said he didn’t look around and just kept sitting and tried to get as much air into him as he could for one final effort and it paid off."

Gaelic Warrior was bred by the Niarchos family.