Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph  Bowl Chase
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Grade 1, Aintree
£250,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
3m 210y, Class 1   
Thursday 3rd April 2025

BetGoodwin

1 Gaelic Warrior 11/4
2 Grey Dawning 9/4F
3 Stage Star
7 ran NR: Spillane's Tower Distances: 3l, 10l, 6½l
Time: 6m 22.15s (slow by 10.15s)

Gaelic Warrior relished every yard of the extended trip to win for the all-conquering Mullins team at Aintree.

Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden with patience and precision by his son Patrick, the 11-4 chance stepped up to three miles and a furlong for this Grade One contest and delivered a performance brimming with class. Always jumping fluently, he cruised into contention before the home turn, reeled in Grey Dawning, and kept on strongly to create history—making Patrick the first amateur to win the race. Behind the runner-up, Stage Star filled third.

For Patrick Mullins, it was an unexpected but welcome opportunity:
"It’s actually my first time riding on the chase track here, and I was delighted to get the chance after Paul (Townend) opted for Embassy Gardens. He settled beautifully, jumped straight, and I always thought he’d stay—though you never quite know until they tackle open company."

The enigmatic Gaelic Warrior has had his share of ups and downs, and Patrick acknowledged the quirks that come with him:
"He has plenty of off days, but when he’s on-song, he’s seriously good. We thought left-handed tracks and good ground might not suit him, but maybe it just depends what side of the bed he gets out of! He was on his best behaviour today, and when that happens, he’s very hard to beat."

Willie Mullins echoed those sentiments, adding:
"It’s great that Patrick got the ride. Paul chose Embassy Gardens, who just didn’t fire today, but looked fine walking in. The priority was to get Gaelic Warrior round safely, and we knew the class was there if he did."

Dan Skelton was left ruing what might have been with Grey Dawning:
"He’s run a blinder, but I’m gutted. We targeted this race, but fair play to the winner—he was ridden cold, delivered late, and did the job."

Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls was upbeat about Stage Star’s effort:
"He’s run really well—took the race to them, and that’s one of his best performances. He’ll be campaigned over three miles next season, likely starting in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby. He’s not a King George horse as he needs to go left-handed, but we’ll make a plan around that. He’s a good one, and today proved it."

A masterclass from Patrick Mullins, a statement win from Gaelic Warrior, and yet another big-race triumph for Closutton—a familiar tale, but no less impressive.

BetGoodwin

Aintree Bowl Chase
£250,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 210y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Gaelic Warrior 7 11-10 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 11/4
2 3 Grey Dawning 8 11-10 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 9/4F
3 10 Stage Star 9 11-10 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 11/1
4 6½ The Real Whacker 9 11-10 Patrick Neville Brian Hughes 12/1
5 hd Ahoy Senor 10 11-10 Lucinda Russell Patrick Wadge 6/1
6 17 Djelo 7 11-10 Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch 14/1
PU  Embassy Gardens 9 11-10 W P Mullins Paul Townend 5/1
NR 6 2 Spillane's Tower 7 11-10 James Joseph Mangan NON RUNNER

Boylesports

Aintree Bowl - Previous Winners

2024 Gerri Colombe
2023 Shishkin
2022 Clan Des Obeaux
2021 Clan Des Obeaux
2020 ABANDONED due to Covid-19
2019 Kemboy
2018 Might Bite
2017 Tea For Two
2016 Cue Card
2015 Silviniaco Conti
2014 Silviniaco Conti
2013 First Lieutenant, Gigginstown House Stud, Mouse Morris IRE 08-11-07 Bryan Cooper 7/2
2012 Follow The Plan, Redgap Partnership, Oliver McKlernan IRE 09-11-07 Tom Doyle 50/1
2011 Nacarat, Simon W Clarke, Tom George 10-11-07 Paddy Brennan 7/2

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