Alderwood give Irish record victory

Alderwood followed up his victory in the Country Hurdle of 12 months ago with victory in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual to give Ireland a record number of winners at Cheltenham 2013.

The victory for Tom Mullins' nine-year-old provided Ireland with a 14th success compared to Britain's 13 over the week.

Tony McCoy, riding his second winner of the day, gave up the inside to nobody, just like he had done last year, but this time victory always looked likely.

It was a fellow JP McManus runner in Kid Cassidy who was the hare to catch having travelled powerfully throughout but he had no answer to Alderwood up the hill.

The 3-1 favourite won by three and quarter lengths with a former winner in Oiseau De Nuit third and Drumshambo fourth.