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Gaelic delivers in style

Gaelic Warrior (10/11 favourite) won the Festina Lente Charity Liffey Handicap Hurdle in the manner his cramped odds suggested he would.

Runner-up when gambled-on for the Boodles Fred Winter at last season's Cheltenham Festival, Willie Mullins' charge was settled in a handy position by Paul Townend and he jumped well in the main, if a little to the right.

His jump at the final flight was the most pronounced, taking him out towards the centre of the track, but he simply had far too much in hand (Irish rating of 143) and readily held 40/1 chance Nibiru three and three-quarter lengths at bay.

Ballyadam was third at 22/1 with Anna Bunina (50/1) fourth, Hey Johnny (12/1) fifth and another 12/1 chance in Tax For Max back in sixth.

Sky Bet's Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners said: "You couldn't help but be impressed with the performance of Gaelic Warrior. It will be interesting to see which race connections are leaning towards regarding Cheltenham. We are now 4/1 for the Sky Bet Supreme and 7/2 for the Ballymore, both non-runner no-bet."

“He has a bit of class and he proved it there, to do that in a competitive handicap was very good,” said trainer Willie Mullins.

“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 fallout of this weekend is and see what we have for different races. 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."

Mullins and son Patrick teamed up to good effect in the concluding Grade 2 Coolmore N.H. Sires 'Santiago' Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race as Fun Fun Fun flew home nine and a half lengths clear of Lily Du Berlais.

The 9/4 favourite was bumped along for a couple of strides at the end of the back straight but suddenly arrived on the scene with plenty in hand and Mullins junior didn't have to get serious in order for the Martaline mare to skip away from her closest rival.

The winning trainer said: "It was a good performance as she'd had a break and I didn't know if she had enough done.

"When Patrick pulled her to the outside she cruised and just took off. She looks to be a serious mare.

"She's entitled to go wherever connections decide, the Cheltenham Champion Bumper or the mares' one at Aintree."

Mares Handicap Hurdle joy for Belter

Ballybawn Belter won the Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle, the opening race on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.

Ridden by Simon Torrens for trainer Liz Doyle, the JP McManus-owned 16/1 chance got the better of well-backed Willie Mullins representative Historique Reconce (15/2), with Banntown Girl third at 11/1 and top weight Global Equity (7/2) back in fourth under Davy Russell.

The 5/2 market leader Risk Belle took a fall early in the race with jockey Mark Walsh being taken to hospital for precautionary x-rays.

"I thought the good gallop would suit her," said Doyle. "We're very very pleased, it's always a hard race to win. But I said to Simon that if she's travelling well turning in then just kick - go. She'll stay on really well to the line.

"He's exceptional (Torrens) and it's a true test of jockeyship in these handicaps, getting the pace and everything right."

Ground key to Goffer improvement

Gordon Elliott's The Goffer won the Bulmers Leopardstown Handicap Chase under Davy Russell.

The well-supported 10/1 shot (was 25/1) scraped the paint the whole way round and was produced coming to the last with his challenge.

The six-year-old who appeared to enjoy the better ground conditions compared to when last seen in a Grade 2 novice event at Warwick (heavy), stayed on strongly to beat Glamorgan Duke by two lengths, with British raider Top Ville Ben back in third and last year's winner Birchdale fourth.

“We thought he had a chance on the drying ground,” said Elliott.

“He probably wants a bit further but he jumped great and galloped the whole way to the line, we’re very happy.

“Davy was great on him. I told him to go out and take every chance, don’t leave the paint. In those big handicaps that’s what you have to do.

“We’ll look at all those long-distance races and he could be an Irish National horse.”

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