Gaelic Warrior came from the rear of the field to win the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
The Willie Mullins trained horse was a 4/5 favourite for victory but spent the first half of the race solidly towards the back of the field. Jockey Paul Townend bided his time and began to make impressive strides through the field towards the last few fences.
As the pack approached the last jump Gaelic Warrior found himself a small gap and surged through to take the lead. He held on by an impressive distance to take the 100th win for Paul Townend this season.
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Speaking of his race-winning move towards the end Townend said, "I was on the fastest horse, if I wasn't able to get out of there then there would've been something wrong'.
'It's a nice thing to be able to do and to have the option of that.
Townend praised Gaelic Warriors ability to make up ground at speed, "going that way is a huge help because you make him keen by trying to keep him straight at the same time. I don't know if he could run the ground any faster'"
Gaelic Warriors racing manager Joe Chambers spoke to RTE after the race, "He's riddled with ability I think. Willie said he'd improve a fair bit for going up in trip and he was right. I'm delighted for our lad, he's improved a lot.
"He was tractable as well today which is really nice to see, particularly over the longer trip".
It wasn't the last action of the evening for Paul Townend as he was due onboard favourite Galopin Des Champs for the Punchestown Gold Cup straight afterwards.
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