Wilful by far the best in County Hurdle for Jonjo and AJ O’Neill

British-trained runners filled the first five places as Wilful came come in front in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, with the training partnership of Jonjo and AJ O’Neill claiming their second winner of this year's Festival.

Jonjo O’Neill Jr said: “It’s been a really great place for me, but to do it for your family is extra special. There was no one more delighted than me to see Richie [McLernon] winning on Tuesday; it’s so hard to win here. You saw it with Henry de Bromhead and Gordon Elliott yesterday - it doesn’t matter how much ammunition you’ve got, it’s so hard. This was my best chance of the week and I did really fancy him.

“He ran very well at Windsor; I thought I committed him a bit early in tacky ground with top weight. We were going to run in the Kingwell to see if he was up to that, but it was heavy ground again and we thought for a spring campaign that wasn’t the right thing to do. We also thought there was probably a bit of mileage in his mark. I didn’t think he’d improve as much as he did today - maybe we should have left him in the Champion Hurdle, but we’ll take a County!”

AJ O’Neill said: "Unbelievable week. It really has been a week of dreams. I’m speechless – I was the first time, and I’ve barely just found my words again! Jonjo has given him an unbelievably great ride. The Hay family have been great supporters of ours and the horse has done such a fantastic job to go and win again.” 

Jonjo O’Neill Sr said: “Cheltenham is Cheltenham. To have runners here is fantastic, and to be lucky enough to have two winners this time is great. AJ keeps telling me every evening that he’s improved them all, I’m beginning to believe him now!”

Lauren Hay, daughter of winning owner Dr Jim Hay, said: “I used to work for Jonjo and all I’ve ever wanted is for Dad’s colours to come to Cheltenham, and now they’ve done it, it means the absolute world. 

“I knew the fact that we did so well at Punchestown meant that we could get here, but I didn’t know this was quite possible, so it means everything.” 

Sean Bowen, rider of runner-up Sticktotheplan: “My lad did everything right but just wasn’t good enough on the day. It’s frustrating to be here again, but we had a good run round and no excuses.”

Olly Murphy, trainer of Sticktotheplan, added: “He ran a cracker. Got a lovely run round. He was always a horse we thought plenty of - we thought he’d run well at Ascot at Christmas, and he was over the top. He’s had a little wind operation and been freshened up, and he likes a bit of nice ground. He’ll be a lovely chaser for next season.”

Nicky Henderson, trainer of the third Joyeuse, said: “She’s run a very good race. She seems to excel in this sort of race and we put some cheekpieces on today. I think they’ve helped too.”

Craig Nichol, the jockey of fourth-placed Cracking Rhapsody, said: “I had a lovely run round, sitting handy with a a bit of light. He’s a tough horse. He’s very game and he’s run another great race.”