"The Gold Cup was one of the last races at the meeting to elude Willie Mullins until his first win in 2019. Now, he has five, joining Tom Dreaper, Arkle's trainer, as the co-holder of the all-time record, after Gaelic Warrior's relentless charge up the hill to an eight length success."
"Paul Townend, meanwhile, is now out on his own as the only rider to win five Gold Cups, one more than Pat Taaffe, who steered Arkle to all three of his Gold Cup victories in the 1960s."
"The race was effectively over from the moment that Townend sent Gaelic Warrior into the lead before the second-last fence. The familiar pink colours of the former banker, Rich Ricci, had moved steadily towards the lead on the run down the hill."
Willie Mullins achieved his fifth Gold Cup victory with Gaelic Warrior, matching Tom Dreaper's all-time record for the prestigious steeplechase. Paul Townend, the winning jockey, now stands alone with five Gold Cup wins, surpassing Pat Taaffe's previous record of four. Gaelic Warrior, a German-foaled horse sired by a Group One Flat winner, delivered a decisive eight-length victory in his first attempt at the three-and-a-quarter-mile distance. Running in the familiar pink silks of owner Rich Ricci, Gaelic Warrior took the lead before the second-last fence and dominated the final stages. The victory was particularly impressive given the horse's eagerness early in the race and the competitive field that included Welsh Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs and The Jukebox Man.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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