John Durkan 2025

[Steeplechasing]

Many fair points made here. I think that it was just one of those unique races where plans made by trainers or riders were blown after two fences. Many, by nature or state of fitness, simply could not have attained and held a competitive position off that early gallop. The field was at the mercy of Townend’s tactics. Even Walsh on Fact To File could not realistically close on the leader any sooner than he did.

Such is the fondness among the Irish fraternity for the Durkan family, a number of entries would have been made simply out of respect. That didn’t help from a perception viewpoint. But the Irish would simply assume that everyone knew the score.

[He Didnt Like Ground]

If Gaelic wins the KG does Townsend ride him in the GC ? ..if he loses will Hayes get the gig ….. Ok I’m baiting Hughsie , seriously though could Towsend ditch GDC

Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026

[Nathan Hughes]

Far to many ifs at this stage.. If Gaelic runs, if Gaelic wins.. If GDC runs fit and well and retains his ability and all is well in the build up to the GC you’d expect Townend would ride him
Wouldn’t surprise me if Ricci said something like Gaelic has a huge chance of winning the GC and we are really excited a few days before the festival only to end up running in the Ryanair

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

[He Didnt Like Ground]

He won’t run in the Ryanair if FTF is there though surely , if Mullins is going to hit a race mob handed then it’ll the GC

Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026

[Nathan Hughes]

Agreed but FTF could also be a GC sub if anything happened to Inothewayurthinkin.. Mullins rates him a GC horse
They will both have the “Multiple” entries

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

[LD73]

I don’t see him getting off GDC unless his form tails of before the Gold Cup – at their respective best, GDC to me is simply a better horse, if GW turned up in the same form I think he would be a godsend to GDC in a Gold Cup as while I doubt he would go off that fast he would for sure string the field out quite a bit early on and that would suit GDC.

I think they knew from quite early on in last year’s Gold Cup that it wasn’t the GDC fully firing on all cylinders which was borne out by his subsequent stunning Punchestown performance in a race that previously seemed to be one too many off of his two Gold Cup winning seasons.

I think it shows just how good a horse he is that he was able to finish a clear 2nd in the Gold Cup and it was noticeable that Townend accepted defeat quite quickly and only did the bare minimum to ensure he kept his 2nd place. Assuming we see him over Christmas in the Savills Chase, it will be interesting to see how much impact the setback has had on him in what is likely to be a stiff seasonal debut return for him.

Obviously if something happens to him then GW would be a good stand in for a Gold Cup but I do think the Ryanair is the more winnable race for him out of the two (where the forceful front running tactics would be more doable just like Allaho and Un Des Sceaux showed) but there is also the option that they could bypass Cheltenham and go to Aintree.

[Ex RubyLight]

I tend to agree with you LD, but I’m also thinking that GDC’s setback might be a bigger issue than we know right now. Townend got Sunday’s ride since he is the stable jockey and maybe Ricci wanted him and only him on the horse once he was available.
Looking at the owner’s Festival record which stand at 19 wins, I’m sure he senses his horse’s chances next March and won’t be easily persuaded to bypass the GC unless something significant happens in the meantime. It won’t happen to see Townend jump ship, if GCD recaptures last season’s form. But, until then I’d like to think the GC is GW’s prime target come March 2026. I mean how many other GC horses or just G1 chasing prospects does Ricci own right now? Another reason why he won’t bypass the Festival instead of Aintree and Sandown or Punchestown.

[jackh1092]

For me outside of Spillane’s Tower (who hasn’t really progressed as much as his run might have suggested) I would argue that last year’s race was probaly just as good a renewal (dual Gold Cup winner GDC beaten just over 2L and Fastorslow beaten just over 6L by Fact To File) and more competitive in that more of the right horses were involved in the finish.

I’d be looking at it from the fact that Spillane’s Tower as you say ain’t proven to be so good. Added to the fact Galopin + Fastorslow tend to improve a fair bit for this most years. I mean Appreciate It split them in 23 as well.

For me GW went out and ran to his max on the day, which is a fair high level F2F couldn’t get him beat. 2 mile pace for a lot of it, faster than the novice chase. That to me compared with Grangeclare West/Galopin and others vying for the lead the year before probably indicates an early season staying chase. So i’d be more of the opinion that the front 2 on Sunday were at a higher level on the day this year.

Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!

[Mike007]

GDC 10 years old in a Gold Cup Townend will ride the horse with the best chance out of the two. GDC has been a better horse than GW but we don’t know if he will be in March.

[Author]

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