The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was bidding for a third straight victory in Sunday’s Grade One feature, but had to make do with an honourable third behind Affordale Fury on what was his first appearance since winning the Punchestown Gold Cup in late April. With the nine-year-old’s reappearance delayed by an an autumn setback, Mullins can expect his stable star to improve ahead of a planned bid for a fourth Irish Gold Cup back at Leopardstown on January 31. Mullins said: “I thought he ran a cracker as he probably needed the race against that type of opposition. “Fact To File was a bit disappointing, he probably just didn’t handle the track and it was a slowly-run race. They have both come home OK.“Gaelic Warrior could come back here (Leopardstown) for the Irish Gold Cup, it could be a fascinating race.”

Source: Express December 30, 2025 10:25 UTC