Rich Ricci hails Gaelic Warrior as one of his best horses after 'flawed genius' finally delivers at the Cheltenham Festival

The erratic but exceptional Gaelic Warrior finally drew a line under his troublesome reputation to produce the performance he had long promised at the Cheltenham Festival.

Reliability is far from the six-year-old’s best asset, so much so that Rich Ricci calls him a “flawed genius”. Yet his owner also believes he is one of the most natural talents to wear the pink and green and a decisive Arkle success puts him on the Ricci roll of honour alongside names like Vautour, Faugheen and Douvan.

On ability alone an SP of 2-1 would have been more than fair about a richly gifted runner who had repeatedly brushed aside strong opposition, but he came with a fascinating element of jeopardy due to his flop at the Dublin Racing Festival five weeks ago and a habit of hanging and jumping right.

Trainer Willie Mullins made a brave call to add a hood – a move which had brought barely any success in his peerless Cheltenham Festival record – but it proved to be the right course of action as Paul Townend was able to glide around on the strong traveller, who this time proved uncharacteristically straightforward in his demeanour and jumping.

Gaelic Warrior: impressive winner of the ArkleCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Matata, among a small group of home challengers, set the pace under Sam Twiston-Davies, delivering a series of fine leaps, with Gaelic Warrior in the stalking position under a confident and composed Townend. Found A Fifty momentarily attacked the lead but with the most minimal urging Gaelic Warrior nosed ahead from two out and began to forge clear.

In a subtle nod to his quirks, Gaelic Warrior attacked the last only slightly angled to his right but he was motoring without his rider even needing to consider how to accelerate. Found A Fifty kept on for a distant second and Il Etait Temps recovered from early mistakes to finish third.

Mullins, recording his first success in a week he is expected to dominate, said: “It’s a huge relief. I’m delighted because in the parade ring I thought he was going to get very upset. He was wound up as they went around.

“Paul got him out on the track and he settled down once he got out away from the crowd. I think the application of the hood has made him so much easier to ride. Paul said he was a dream ride. He settled in lovely in behind the horses, like a normal horse. It’s fantastic.”

Gaelic Warrior powers away up the Cheltenham hillCredit: GROSSICK RACING

A Cheltenham Festival success had always been the ambition for Gaelic Warrior's connections but the identity of the right race for him had been far less straightforward. He dominated the Stayers’ Hurdle market at the start of the season, then the two longer novice chases looked his likely destination before a late change of plan.

He is now 14-1 (from 25) for next season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase with Paddy Power and 6-1 (from 12) with the same firm for the King George.

Mullins added: “We put the hood on to see what happened when we schooled him at home and that was good. Now I think he’s found his calling. He looks like a Champion Chaser, he could be a Ryanair horse, and he won over three miles as a novice hurdler, like Galopin Des Champs did. He’s very adaptable.

“It's very satisfying. We thought he’d nearly be a guaranteed Cheltenham winner in the last two years and it hadn’t worked out. Now he’s done it on a big day in the Arkle.”

Ricci expressed a degree of relief after the Boodles and Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle runner-up finally struck in Britain.

He said: “He's a bit of a flawed genius. He's a bit mad, he likes to get on with it during the race, but he was out of control after the race. He's maybe the most naturally talented horse we've had but he's quirky.

Rich Ricci and Paul Townend celebrate after the ArkleCredit: Patrick McCann

“I was very nervous when he was going down the chute because he was really naughty. I didn't watch the race, as I never do, but I turned around to see him come up the hill, which was lovely to see. It's a great result.”

The owner also said this victory exemplified the talents of the trainer with whom he has built up an incredible association.

He added: “When I first met Willie he said he was just missing the ammunition and, boy, wasn’t that true! Look what he’s done now with recruiting horses to the yard. It’s magic. I think training a horse like him who clearly has quirks is a testament to his ability.

“Let's see what he can do with Monkfish in the Gold Cup.”

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