Kargese produced a determined display to justify favouritism in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Last season's Triumph Hurdle runner-up was a little keen early on for Paul Townend but they made a forward move from midfield on the turn for home and seemed set for a smooth success once striking the front.
The five-year-old faced a renewed challenge from Gordon Elliott’s Ndaawi on the run-in but was always doing enough to score at 3-1 and give Willie Mullins a record-extending eighth win in the race.
Dinoblue emphatically ended her Cheltenham Festival hoodoo when claiming the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase for Willie Mullins and Mark Walsh.
The eight-year-old had three times been a beaten favourite at National Hunt racing’s showpiece meeting, including when a close second to Limerick Lace in this contest 12 months ago.
However, she laid those ghosts to rest to give owner JP McManus a fourth consecutive Mares’ Chase victory.
Walsh was happy to track front-running stablemate Allegorie De Vassy for much of the way before easing ahead approaching the penultimate fence, with the 6-4 market leader left to come home clear well clear of Brides Hill after Allergorie De Vassy fell at the last.
Wonderwall battled back to fend off the late thrust of Its On The Line in the St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase.
Sent off a 28-1 shot for trainer Sam Curling and jockey Rob James, Wonderwall was travelling notably well turning for home and grabbed the lead at the penultimate fence.
He looked well on top jumping the last but drifted across the track, allowing Its On The Line another bite of the cherry on the inside rail.
However, James got his mount back on a straight course and the pair were almost level at the line, with Wonderwall just shading victory by a neck.
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