Kargese claims County crown for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend at Cheltenham

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.”

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