Trilogy takes County cash

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 ran with credit to finish sixth.