Gaelic Warrior and Paul Townend win the Festina Lente Charity Liffey Handicap Hurdle© Photo Healy Racing
Gaelic Warrior who had his detractors prior to the race, proved far too strong for the opposition when carrying topweight to an authoritative success in the Grade B Liffey Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.
Despite winning his two starts this season by a combined distance of 101 lengths, the Willie Mullins trained gelding failed to convince many punters given his tendency to jump to his right in races.
However, those that put their faith in the five-year-old, sending him off 10/11f, never had too many anxious moments, as the son of Maxios powered clear for an impressive success.
Masquerading as a graded horse in a handicap, the gelding travelled easily throughout the race and went to the front early in the straight. Paul Townend could afford the luxury of allowing his mount run down the final flight, where he once again jumped out to the right. However, given the ease of this win, it would be hard to pick too many holes.
"I tried to keep it simple", said Townend. "We didn't learn a whole lot from the two wins this season but the engine is certainly there. He tended to jump to his right again today though."
Willie Mullins said:- “He has a bit of class and he proved it there, to do that in a competitive handicap was very good.
“Paul tried to get a nice position on the inside and then find a bit of room after the second last. The horse had plenty in reserve.
“We always thought he had a serious engine and he's progressing all the time.
“He's in the Supreme and Ballymore, I'll have a good chat with Paul later on and see what direction we go with him.
“We'll see what the fall out of this weekend is and see what we have for different races.
“He's inclined to go right but that seems to be only when he has the space to do that. He was very good even when he went right.
“Paul could see he wanted to go right two strides out and let him, kept it simple rather than fighting him and putting him on the ground. I think he's alright in company when there is something around him.
“He looked like a horse that's still maturing and improving. He looked like a horse that could be a really nice novice chaser as well.
“We'll see how he finishes out the season, obviously there is Cheltenham and Punchestown to come yet.
“He was relaxed enough to pick grass there and he wanted to get down for a roll here in the winners' enclosure which I've never seen a horse do before. He's his own boss.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
Paddy Powers went 3/1(from 5/1) Gaelic Warrior for the Ballymore Novices Hurdle and 4/1(from 7/1) for the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Both prices NRNB.
