Kargese closing in on racing return

The five-year-old could follow the route Lossiemouth took to the Mares' Hurdle by running in the Unibet Hurdle on Festival Trials day later this month.

Kargese excelled as a juvenile, claiming big victories at both the Dublin and Punchestown festivals. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Willie Mullins' Kargese is nearing a return to action, as connections chart a course to the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

As well as being a dual Grade One winner as a juvenile with big victories at both the Dublin and Punchestown festivals, the Kenny Alexander-owned five-year-old also gave high-class rivals Majborough and Sir Gino plenty to think about when runner-up in the Triumph Hurdle and at Aintree in the spring.