COLE Harden made all in a stunning display to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle by three and a quarter lengths from Saphir Du Rheu, giving both trainer Warren Greatrex and jockey Gavin Sheehan their first festival victory.

The six-year-old Cole Harden, a son of Westerner, had an operation on his soft palate to correct a wind problem after a disappointing run in the galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle in January.

An emotional Greatrex said: "I believed in the horse, but I was struggling with him early season. When he came back in I was having trouble with him with his wind, and I sent him away to be tested, and he then went and won at Wetherby and won well. So I thought the people who were looking at his wind didn't know what they were on about.

"After that I struggled with him and I thought we'd go to the Cleeve and we'd see, and he wasn't right. So we had it done. I'd like to say a big thank you to my head lad Graham Bains, who does everything with this horse. We knew he was spot-on. I've got 75 horses in the yard and we're breaking through. It makes a big difference that Gavin (Sheehan) knows him, and I told him to look after this horse, he's the real deal.

"We've just won a Grade 1 and beat the best. That's why we're here.

"Coming down the hill, I thought, they're really going to have to do it because he's a free-wheeler and he's so tough. He wouldn't have stopped, he's fit. I've never had him better, but you just don't believe you are going to win a race like this.

SHEEHAN ALL SMILES

Jockey Gavin Sheehan was wreathed in smiles after he recorded his first ever festival success aboard Cole Harden in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. Sheehan gave the 14/1 shot a bold ride from the front and the pair were still travelling sweetly on the bridle as the field turned for home.

There were plenty still in with a chance as the field approached the last but a fine leap from the Warren Greatrex-trained gelding sealed the victory and the six-year-old powered up the hill to record a three and a quarter length success.

Sheehan was naturally elated after the race: "It was amazing," Sheehan said of the race. "That is what dreams are made of. He jumped off well but I had to get at him just to get my way so I could get in front. He jumped brilliantly and did everything right. I didn't know whether to squeeze on earlier as he had so much running in him. He's done everything right but I was just waiting for a horse to fly past me and beat me.

"It's very special, very, very special. Warren has given me the lecture beforehand and he was psyching me up. He was making sure that they weren't going to go and make it a war but, with fractions, you can't get them right all of the time but you can only feel what the horse is giving. He gave me an exceptional ride. His jumping was brilliant - in and pop - he was very quick, did everything right and I was just very nervous coming down the hill. I was holding on to him but it was one of those where should you be sending him on or not?

"The minute I've turned in though, he's picked up. If you've got a good enough horse like that, front-running doesn't bother me as you know you can hold on and if they do come past you, it's not your fault. Today, better ground and the recent wind operation has helped massively.

"He's got so much spark. He hasn't really given me that feel all season, even when he won at Wetherby, I was just coming into today thinking we were a big player.

"He pings off this sort of ground. When I pulled him up after the race, he still had more running in him. He doesn't know he's had a race even though this is a World Hurdle.

"We are having a flyer. I am based with Warren and the yard has gone from strength to strength. I think I have improved from strength to strength as well and riding good horses like this and a boss like that. It means everything, especially coming from a yard that I lost my claim with.

"A big shout out to Graham Baines, who rides him out every day. A lot of the lads were giving grief about this horse but I knew there was improvement."

NICHOLLS RUEING MISTAKE

Cole Harden held at bay the Paul Nicholls-trained pair of Saphir Du Rheu and Zarkandar, who finished second and third. The distances were three and a quarter lengths and the same, with At Fishers Cross - who was third last year - a neck further back in fourth.

One moment that jockey Noel Fehily will not want to relive came at the second-last hurdle, when Zarkandar blundered and lost several places. Nicholls said: "Zarkandar was very unlucky - he was travelling really well and that mistake cost him any chance.

"Saphir Du Rheu (ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies) was just going flat out on that ground and couldn't go any quicker, which was a concern for me before the race. He travelled okay, but just lacks a gear on ground like today's.

"It's great for the lads that have won the race, but I think we were unlucky with Zarkandar. Ask Noel what he thinks - the horse was travelling so well and then that happens."

Trainer Rebecca Curtis was pleased to see the A P McCoy-ridden At Fishers Cross put up an improved performance after some lacklustre efforts this season. Curtis said: "He's run a blinder and it was lovely to see him finish his race today. He ran on up the hill despite bumping into a bit of trouble a couple of times, and A. P. said if he had known the horse was going to stay on so well he would have kept him a bit handier.

"It's nice to see him back and showing enthusiasm. He loves Cheltenham but also seems to be more of a spring horse. He always has little problems. The first-time blinkers may have helped a bit."

3.20pm Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade 1)

£300,000 total prize fund. For 5yo+, 3m. Weights: 5yo 11st 9lb; 6yo+ 11st 10lb. Allowances mares 7lb. Penalty value 1st £178,538.25 2nd £66,994.95 3rd £33,544.50 4th £16,709.55 5th £8,401.80 6th £4,200.90

1) COLE HARDEN (IRE) (Jill & Robin Eynon) Warren Greatrex t6-11-10 Gavin Sheehan 14/1

2) SAPHIR DU RHEU (FR) (The Stewart Family) Paul Nicholls 6-11-10 Sam Twiston-Davies 5/1f

3) ZARKANDAR (IRE) (Chris Giles & Potensis Bloodstock Ltd) Paul Nicholls bt8-11-10 Noel Fehily 6/1

4) AT FISHERS CROSS (IRE) (J P McManus) Rebecca Curtis b8-11-10 A P McCoy 14/1

5) WHISPER (FR) (Walters Plant Hire Ltd) Nicky Henderson 7-11-10 Barry Geraghty