Cheltenham Day Four: Wilful by far the best in County Hurdle for Jonjo and AJ O’Neill

By Molly Hunter, Press Association

British-trained runners filled the first five places as Wilful came come in front in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Trained by Jonjo and A J O’Neill and ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr, the 14-1 victory was therefore a real family affair with the father and two sons combining.

In a busy field of 23, the seven-year-old led home Sticktotheplan, Joyeuse, Cracking Rhapsody and Sinnatra – all of whom are trained in Britain – to give the Jackdaws Castle stable a second winner of the week, after Johnnywho in the Ultima Handicap on Tuesday.

Apolon De Charnie shocked the Cheltenham crowd with a 50-1 victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son Patrick, the four-year-old was aiming to keep the trophy in the Closutton stable after Poniros struck at 100-1 on what was his hurdling debut 12 months ago.

Though not quite as overlooked in the betting, the Edward Ware-owned gelding was still a surprise first head across the line, with 5-1 chance Maestro Conti behind him and Minella Study (7-1) in third.

Patrick Mullins – who famously teamed up with his father to win last year’s Grand National with Nick Rockett – said: “He was fantastic. He’s not very big, but he just caught my eye. I don’t usually watch the juveniles at home, but he caught my eye and I got a dream run everywhere.

“I’m very proud of my father. I’ve never seen him doubt himself as much as he has this winter. You get a lot of advice from people about what you’re doing wrong, but he sticks to his guns and gets it right most of the time”

Willie Mullins added: “Only 50-1 this year and not 100-1 – I’m so disappointed! At least I could stand in the stand and shout ‘go on my son’, which was obviously the biggest thrill, to have Patrick riding it.

“I could see three or four of mine all in with chances and was trying to watch them all, but I’d be watching for Patrick one way or another – whether he had a chance or not – and every time I looked at him I was very happy.

“He came through to win the race at the last, then the other horse (Minella Study) kept going and I thought we were beat, but I loved the horse’s attitude – when he heard the Cheltenham roar, he put down his head and was very brave.”

Maestro Conti was tasting defeat for the first time, but trainer Dan Skelton was pleased with his performance in filling the runner-up spot.

He said: “He ran a very good race and I’m very proud of him.

“He travelled well and I could see Patrick (Mullins) travelling very well down to the last. My instinct was if our horse had produced a big jump at the last maybe he would have won, but the way Patrick was going I’m not convinced that was the truth.

“It was a great run, I’m very happy with him. I’d say he’ll make a fine horse going forward and I’ll probably run him at Aintree.”

Welcome to our coverage of day four of the Cheltenham Racing Festival.

The Harry Redknapp-owned 'The Jukebox Man' is the favourite for the Gold Cup, the feature on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The King George winner is part of a 10-horse field, including the Willie Mullins-trained Gaelic Warrior, and Inothewayyurthinkin, trained by Gordon Elliott.

The James Mangan-trained Spillane's Tower has been declared a non-runner due to ground conditions.

The seven-race card on the final day gets underway at 1:20pm.