Gaelic Warrior triumphs in thrilling John Durkan duel

Gaelic Warrior got the better of a pulsating duel with stablemate Fact To File to win an epic renewal of the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

Fact To File was the 11-8 favourite to successfully defend his crown in what looked another stellar running of the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One, with fellow Willie Mullins-trained star Gaelic Warrior rated his biggest threat at 13-8 on his first start since winning the Oaksey Chase at Sandown in the spring.

Gaelic Warrior and Paul Townend blew the race apart from an early stage, going a strong gallop in front from the outset and quickly building up a significant lead over the chasing pack, with Fact To File always his nearest pursuer in the hands of Mark Walsh.

While another previous John Durkan winner in Fastorslow and Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin never threatened to get involved, the big two settled down to fight it out from the home turn and although Fact To File looked likely to prevail after bridging the gap and briefly hitting the front on the approach to the final fence, Gaelic Warrior found more on the run-in and got back up to win a thriller by a neck.