William Hill County Hurdle

THE training partnership of Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill claimed their second winner of the 2026 Festival when Wilful (14/1) came home the comfortable three-length winner of the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle.

This time it was an all-family affair, with Jonjo’s other son and A.J.’s brother Jonjo Jr in the saddle.

Despite the big field, this was a relatively slow-run race and Wilful was well-placed throughout, which was a recurring theme all week in the handicaps.

The seven-year-old shot clear before the final flight and kept on strongly to win by three lengths. The ex-Irish Sticktotheplan was a clear second for Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen, chased home by Joyeuse and Cracking Rhapsody.

Challenge

Oddly, there was no Irish-trained horse among the first five - the Willie Mullins-trained favourite Karbau running on strongly for sixth having never been near enough to challenge off the steady pace.

Jonjo O’Neill Jr said: “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. 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!”

Olly Murphy, trainer of Sticktotheplan, said: “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.”