McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)

KARGESE (7/2) made it back-to-back wins in the Grade 1 McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle for Danny Mullins, Willie Mullins and Kenny Alexander, leading home a one-two-three-four for her stable.

Well supported in the betting beforehand, Danny set off to make it on the filly, but was soon sitting in behind stabletemate Majborough, ridden by Mark Walsh. Content to take a lead, Kargese settled much better than she had done here at Christmas when second to Kala Conti in a steadily run contest. She was able to make her ground up to Majborough as they straightened up, took it up before the last and kept going well to the line to see off the favourite Storm Heart by a length and a quarter, with Majborough holding on to third and Bunting running on for fourth.

“She learned a lot at Christmas, she was so gassy that day, so we knew we had the potential but plenty of them you can say they have potential and they don’t fulfill it like that,” said the winning rider, securing his second Grade 1 in as many races. “The way she travelled around the home turn up to the last was good, and it didn’t help that she was in front on her own but we’ll give her that, she hit the line well.”

Asked to compare Kargese to last year’s winner Gala Marceau, Mullins responded: “Gala was probably gassier. This mare settled today and hopefully if she can keep doing that going forward she will have scope as well. She is a tall filly. It was a nice performance, a Grade 1 in the bag, so we’ll enjoy that.”

Willie Mullins has won the last three renewals of this race, which is often a fine guide to the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, though the champion trainer admitted it will be difficult to beat the current favourite for that contest, Sir Gino.

“She settled a lot better after getting the gas out of her at Christmas, she was too keen then,” he said. “We were going to make the running with her but it turned out Mark made it on Majborough and he was very happy with him, he thinks he will improve from that run - he gallops and jumps and he’s more of a chaser to look at.

“Storm Heart, Paul felt he probably just got stuck in the ground and he was a bit keen with him as well. I was delighted with the way Bunting stayed on from behind, he was doing his best work at the end so that means he is improving as well. They’ve all booked a ticket for me to go to Cheltenham.

“I think it will be hard to beat Sir Gino. He’s a big gelding, so we have our work cut out.”

Sir Gino was clipped into odds-on for the Triumph with plenty of firms, with Kargese now second best in the market at a best at a general 8/1 and Majborough into 12/1.