It's Mullins, McManus and Geraghty again as Saint Roi wins the County Hurdle

JP McManus' powerful squadron of Cheltenham Festival handicappers continued to shine, with Saint Roi the latest to scoop a big prize in the Randox Health County Hurdle.

The success meant McManus had won every handicap hurdle at the meeting up to that point.

The five-year-old came to Cheltenham after winning a maiden hurdle at Tramore in January but gave the impression he could be much better than a handicapper with a dominant win.

He was eased into the race by Barry Geraghty and was going best out of four in a line going over the last. However, like many of McManus's handicappers before him, he was able to power up the hill for a convincing four-and-a-length win.

His trainer Willie Mullins also saddled second-placed Aramon and Buildmeupbuttercup in fourth, while the Joseph O'Brien-trained Embittered finished third.

Geraghty, who was enjoying his fifth winner of the meeting, said: "He's only had three runs, he's a young horse [so] you're saving him, hoping he's gonna find after the last so you dare not go near the button.

"When you have lots of horse, the stride pops up easy. He was electric. For a horse with little experience and the pace they went, he was very good. Willie was sweet and he's not a bad judge."

He added: "It's what you dream of. One winner, one is all you want. It's brilliant when they keep coming. I'm in a privileged position to ride for such good horses for good people. It is a pleasure and it's a fun game. It's sport and you should enjoy it."

Saint Roi: winner of the County HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

The race was dominated by the Irish, with fifth-placed Elusive Belle the only British runner to finish in the top seven. Saint Roi was backed into 11-2 favourite having being 7-1 this morning.

The win gave Mullins a double on the day, following Burning Victory's success in the Triumph, and McManus a seventh at this year's festival.

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