Walsh and Nicholls strike again

Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh added yet another winner to their Cheltenham Festival tally as American Trilogy turned the usually competitive Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle into a procession.

Connections thought they had a Supreme Novices' Hurdle candidate on their hands earlier in the season but things have not gone according to plan since.

However, despite being sent off at 20-1, Walsh was always cantering on the grey before streaking clear to win by 11 lengths.

Stradbrook ran on for second with Cockney Trucker third and Nortonthorpe Lad fourth.

Khyber Kim set off at scorching pace with first-time blinkers but was never going to be able to keep up that gallop.

Plenty emerged with serious chances coming down the hill, not least Gloucester and Sky Hall who both looked to be going seriously well.

However, Walsh was tracking in behind and he absolutely oozed confidence, kicking on and powering away from his rivals.

Cockney Trucker ran a big race for a novice, Kandari flattered to deceive in fifth while Dave's Dream, in search of the #75,000 bonus after winning last Saturday's Imperial Cup, ran with credit to finish sixth.

Walsh said: "It's great to have ridden six winners. It's not something you think you are ever going to do.

"I've had some tremendous rides and I'm so lucky to ride for people like Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins, champion trainers in their respective countries. To ride for them is an honour.

"When he ran at Ascot I said he'd win the County Hurdle when I got off him. He ran away with me there and ran a lot better than people thought, and he's bolted in today."