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Gaelic Warrior admired the distance, chasing Brooklands Golden Miller time-quantity time-bowls to Aintree’s Mullins.
Trained by Willie and partnered by his son and assistant Patrick, 11/4 chance to ride patiently, he walked to three miles, and Furlong in the first grade more.
His move went straight to the house and was delighted to be able to get caught up in the grey, making his rider the first amateur to win the race. Stage stars rank third.
Patrick Mullins said: “This is my first time riding on the chase track here, and it was a surprise when I was allowed to ride his Paul (Tonder) chose the Embassy Garden.
“He settled in a great place, jumped well, jumped straight. I thought he would stay because he won three miles in the novice barrier, but you didn’t really know until you tried to open class.
“He has a lot of days off for a variety of reasons, but in the past day, he’s very, very good.
“Today it’s left-handed and good ground, which are two things we think are Achilles heels, so maybe it just depends on which side of the bed he’s from.
“He was in his best manner today and when he was in his best manner, he was hard to beat.”
Gael warriors jump over the fence of Aintree under Patrick Mullins
Mullins said: “It was great that Patrick was able to ride a horse, I thought Paul would ride him, but he chose Embassy Garden (pulled up) – he looked good and hoped he just hit the nerves or something.
“Patrick’s main goal is to get him a lap and then we all know he has classes.
“He didn’t fire in the first two games and he was just inappropriate for Cheltenham, but I think we can run him here too, and that’s not just proof.”
Dan Skelton said of Gray Dawning: “He was a blind man, but I just wanted to be defeated.
“We’ll set off for the booth to play this game, but it’s fair to the winner, he’s ridden quietly, what else can you say?”
Gray doodle leads bowl to chase the field, Gael warrior (pink hat) tracks behind
Paul Nicholls said of the stage stars: “He ran very well, he entrusted it to them, we kept going, and he ran very well.
“We know we’ll be running for him three miles next year, and I’ll say we might start him at Charlie Hall (at Wetherby).
“He’s a good horse, he can do his best, and it’s one of the best runs he’s ever had today and I’m very excited about him.”
