The Gold Cup delivered greatness however Gaelic Warrior gained it with such ease – and Paul Townend was the actual star of the present, writes DOMINIC KING
The occasion demands greatness and how it was delivered. Even Harry Redknapp, who had been dreaming of nirvana, had no hesitation in recognising the size of the moment.
‘I’ve loved the build-up and the dream and to have a runner here, with a chance, was fantastic for me,’ Redknapp admitted after The Jukebox Man had wilted on the climb up Cheltenham’s final hill. ‘Winning would have been like lifting the Champions League. But wasn’t Gaelic Warrior impressive?’
That was one way of putting it. The Gold Cup is racing’s ultimate jumping test but Gaelic Warrior and Paul Townend won it with such ease, Redknapp must have felt he was watching a remake of the night Gareth Bale burst past Inter Milan full back Maicon and, as Spurs fans say, sent him for a taxi.
Gaelic Warrior, trained by Willie Mullins, has always possessed swaggering ability but his genius came with quirks. The task of harnessing that awesome power and keeping it all together over three-and-a-quarter miles and 22 fences belonged to Townend, the real star of the show here.
Townend is an unassuming man, he lives a quiet life with his girlfriend, Sophie, but, in the saddle, he is the giant of this era. His partnership with Mullins is one of the greatest in any sport, a double act so formidable you can guarantee their exploits will be spoken about 50 years from now.
History cannot be ignored. Aside from becoming the most successful rider in the Boodles-sponsored Gold Cup, this fifth triumph saw him leap above Pat Taffe, rider of the incomparable Arkle, Townend became the first man to win the Gold Cup, Champion Chase and Champion Hurdle in one week.
Paul Townend (left) and Willie Mullins (right) came together to claim victory in the Gold Cup
Gaelic Warrior won with such ease in what was ultimately a great main event of the Festival
And this ride showed why he is so good, he’s almost Harry Kane-like in his efficiency. Gaelic Warrior, owned by Rich Ricci, would tear off like an out-of-control jet ski if you allowed him but Townend applied a brake and got him under control, popping the obstacles with alacrity.
Sean Bowen had set a fierce gallop on Haiti Couleurs, raising the pace from 28mph on the first circuit to beyond 30mph on the second, with The Jukebox Man pursuing under Ben Jones; Redknapp watched on, wearing the lucky tie he had been given as a present by Paolo di Canio.
As the field came down the hill for one last time, there was a roar as The Jukebox Man went into overdrive and Nicky Henderson’s Jango Baie jostled for position but stalking, patiently, was Townend in the silks he had worn when Lossiemouth scurried away from her pursuers in the Champion Hurdle.
The more the arms of other riders began to nudge, the more you watched Townend sitting pretty, waiting and waiting, daring not to move. He allowed Gaelic Warrior, the 11/4 favourite, an inch of rein as they swung around the last turn and once he hit the front it was all over.
‘It’s the Gold Cup!’ gasped Townend, whose previous victories came on Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020) and Galopin Des Champs (2023, 2024). ‘I always say they just get better and better. Oh my God, I’m speechless!
‘We were dealt a big blow with Galopin Des Champs coming out, I was lucky enough for this lad to come along. Patrick was convinced that he was the horse for the race. He’s done a lot of work with this horse from the last day, it’s a huge team effort, I was just the fortunate one to be on his back.’
In many ways, it was like finding out your Ferrari had a puncture and instead you had to drive your Aston Martin but the road still had to be negotiated. Mullins, the week’s leading trainer again with eight victories, wanted to explain how special the performance in the saddle had been.
‘You can meet Paul outside, he’ll be having a bite to eat and he is just a normal guy,’ said Mullins. ‘You wouldn’t know he is such a record-breaking jockey. He is a very cool, calm, nice man. But what I really like about Paul is that when things get tough, he just gets tougher.’
Harry Redknapp (left) had hoped for success with The Jukebox Man but admired the winner
In many ways, Townend had an almost impossible job, trying to fill the shoes of Ruby Walsh, but he has done it with aplomb. This story won’t be ending any time soon, which is worrying for their rivals – the Henderson camp, for example, couldn’t believe how easily Jango Baie had been dismissed.
Behind him in third was last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin, while The Jukebox Man wilted. Ben Pauling, his trainer, revealed that an ill-timed throat issue two weeks ago had more of an effect on the performance than he anticipated. Redknapp agreed.
‘Maybe he might have finished third or fourth with that extra week’s work,’ said Redknapp. ‘It was another great run from him and I’d love to have another go at this next year. He’s captured the heart of the nation so it would have been lovely if he could have won but he’s given it his best shot.’
He did, as did many others. But when you are trying to dethrone greatness, your best is never enough.
