Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Gaelic Warrior has finished top of the end-of-season Anglo Irish Jumps Classification for 2025/26 with a rating of 180.

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old lined up in the Gold Cup for the first time this year and produced a blistering performance to defeat Jango Baie (168) by eight lengths under Paul Townend.

He followed that up with an even more comprehensive victory in the Punchestown Gold Cup, getting the better of Fact To File (173) – who had previously beaten Gaelic Warrior in February’s Irish Gold Cup – by 26 lengths.

His other efforts last season saw him involved in two narrow finishes, landing the John Durkan by a neck first-time-out and then finishing third in a remarkable renewal of the King George VI Chase won by The Jukebox Man (168), with the first four home separated by just half a length.

Owned by Sussanah Ricci, Gaelic Warrior becomes the first horse since A Plus Tard in 2021/22 to achieve a figure of 180, which is the joint-highest end-of-season rating since Sprinter Sacre reached 188 in 2012/13.

The next best horse in the Chase Classification was Il Etait Temps, who achieved a rating of 174 following a season that included victory in the Champion Chase at both Cheltenham and Punchestown, while Kopek Des Bordes (161) was the leading novice chaser.

Shay Quinn, Senior IHRB National Hunt Handicapper, said:

“Willie Mullins and Paul Townend’s fairytale season saw them complete an extraordinary set of achievements, winning the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup at both Cheltenham and Punchestown, while also adding the Grand National to an unforgettable campaign. Yet for all those remarkable accomplishments, the 2025/26 season ultimately belonged to Gaelic Warrior.

“He added three more Grade 1 victories to an already glittering CV, beginning with a gutsy success in the John Durkan, where he narrowly denied Fact To File. Defeats followed at Kempton and Leopardstown, but Gaelic Warrior announced himself as the premier staying chaser of the campaign with a brilliant victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before producing an even more devastating display back at Punchestown, powering clear of Fact To File in a performance of rare authority.

“What makes Gaelic Warrior even more remarkable is the breadth of his accomplishments. An Arkle winner over two miles, a John Durkan winner over two and a half miles, an Aintree Bowl winner over three miles, and now a Gold Cup winner over three miles and two furlongs up the demanding Cheltenham hill, he has shown a level of versatility rarely seen in the modern era.

“Still only eight, Gaelic Warrior has time firmly on his side and every chance to establish himself as the outstanding staying chaser of his generation.”

Martin Greenwood, BHA Handicapper Team Leader (Steeplechase), said:

“Ireland head each of the six chasing sections, including the novices, this year. Of the British horses, The Jukebox Man shared top billing in the staying division alongside Jango Baie, due to his thrilling King George victory at Kempton over Christmas.

“Grey Dawning (166) was the best home representative in the middle-distance arena, adding the JCB Melling Chase at Aintree to his tally after opening his season with a very easy win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

“Jonbon (164) was never out of the first two all season and picked up two victories at Ascot to claim the top British spot in the two-mile section.

“Of the 23 novice chasers on the list, seven were British-trained, and easily the highest at 160 was Lulamba who won his first three starts over fences, most notably in the William Hill Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.”

Lossiemouth and Teahupoo share Hurdle honours

In the Hurdles section, Lossiemouth finished joint-top with Teahupoo on a rating on 162.

Susannah Ricci’s seven-year-old won all but one of her five outings last season, including the Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown.

Teahupoo started his season strongly with Grade 1 successes in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse and the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, before being beaten in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham won by Home By The Lee (161).

The Nicky Henderson-trained Old Park Star (155) was the leading novice hurdler in the Classification after an unbeaten four-run season which culminated with success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Shay Quinn, Senior IHRB National Hunt Handicapper, said:

“Having already proven herself in the mare’s division, Lossiemouth transitioned seamlessly into becoming the leading two-mile hurdler. She began the season with impressive Grade 1 victories at Punchestown and Leopardstown before overcoming a setback in the Irish Champion Hurdle to produce a brilliant performance in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

“She rounded off her campaign with another top-level success at Punchestown, firmly establishing herself as the standout performer in the division. Remarkably, she has now amassed 11 Grade 1 victories and is still only a seven-year-old.”

Michael Harris, BHA Handicapper Team Leader (Hurdle), said:

“While being no match for a deserving champion in Lossiemouth, second-season hurdlers The New Lion (160) and Alexei (158) both elevated themselves into Grade 1 company, with The New Lion’s Aintree Hurdle performance securing him the top spot in the two-and-a-half-mile division.

“It was a below par year for the novice division with only five horses in the Classification, however it was pleasing to see that four of those were trained in Britain. The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has been rated as the best novice race of the season with Old Park Star (155), Sober Glory (153) and Mydaddypaddy (153) all bettering King Rasko Grey (151), and all three appeal as exciting prospects for next season.

“The leading novice stayer was also British-trained in the form of Harry Derham’s Le Frimeur (150) who provided his trainer with a first Grade 1 success at Punchestown. This is the first British-trained horse to top the division since the Classification was split into three categories in 2018.”

Notes to Editors:

1. View the full 2025/26 Anglo-Irish Chase Classification here.

2. View the full 2025/26 Anglo-Irish Hurdle Classification here.

3. This is the 27^th full Anglo-Irish Jump Classification. It classifies the best steeplechasers and hurdlers that were trained in either Britain or Ireland during the 2025-2026 season, or in France if that performance was achieved in Britain or Ireland. It is not a handicap but a retrospective measurement of best sustainable performances during the recent season so there may be differences from current handicap marks.

4. The Classifications are for all chasers and hurdlers down to a rating of 150. Originally the Classification included horses rated 130 and above, which was later revised to 140 and above. 2020-21 was the first time the Classification has been limited to 150 and above.

5. Both the steeplechasers and hurdlers are divided into distance categories of 2 miles to 2 miles 2.5 furlongs, 2 miles 3 furlongs to 2 miles 6.5 furlongs and 2 miles 7 furlongs plus. They are included in the list in which the handicappers believe they have put up their best performance.

6. The ratings were agreed and compiled by: Martin Greenwood (GB), Shay Quinn (IRE), Michael Harris (GB), Marcus Weedon (IRE), Mark Olley (GB), Chris Nash (GB), Graeme Smith (GB), James Norris (GB), Matt Gardner (GB), Ali Galliers-Pratt (GB).

7. View previous Anglo-Irish Chase Champions here.

8. View previous Anglo-Irish Hurdle Champions here.