Kargese claims County crown for Mullins and Townend

Kargese produced a determined display to justify favouritism in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Last season’s Triumph Hurdle runner-up was a little keen early on for Paul Townend but they made a forward move from midfield on the turn for home and seemed set for a smooth success once striking the front.

The five-year-old faced a renewed challenge from Gordon Elliott’s Ndaawi on the run-in but was always doing enough to score at 3-1 and give Willie Mullins a record-extending eighth win in the race.

Mullins said: “We felt she was strong and this generation were well handicapped, so that’s why we took a chance and came here. We’ve had three of the first four so we may have got that right.

“She was too keen at Ascot but I needed to get a run into her and it’s very hard to come here without a run.

“All last season I knew I wouldn’t want her for the autumn and we’d give her a chance in the spring. She is so hard on herself in her racing, so we said we’d concentrate on this time of year.

“She will go over a longer trip in time but for now she would be too hard on herself and the jockey.

“We’ll celebrate here today and then decide. Normally I go to Punchestown but I might have a look to see if there is something for her in either Aintree or Ayr.” Wonderwall battled back to fend off the late thrust of Its On The Line in the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase.

Sent off a 28-1 shot for trainer Sam Curling and jockey Rob James, Wonderwall was travelling notably well turning for home and grabbed the lead at the penultimate fence.

He looked well on top jumping the last but drifted across the track, allowing Its On The Line another bite of the cherry on the inside rail.

However, James got his mount back on a straight course and the pair were almost level at the line, with Wonderwall just shading victory by a neck.

The winning jockey said: “It’s unbelievable, I was probably going too well and got there a little bit too soon but luckily we held on and the line came in time.

“It’s the biggest one for the amateurs and the one you want to get your name on. I can’t thank Sam and the owners enough and Sam’s team at home have done a wonderful job with him, just top-class.”