Kargese

10th-Mar-2026

 

Message of 7th February 2026

 

Kargese is top of my list. I was hoping that she would be well beaten by Romeo Coolio at Leopardstown last weekend so that her Arkle odds would be extended. As it was, she ran a big race to get to within a neck of him. She was up in another three strides.

 

Willie Mullins’ mare should be seen to better effect at Cheltenham, on better ground and on a more speed-favouring track.

 

She has run at the Cheltenham Festival twice. She gave Majborough a real race in the Triumph Hurdle two seasons ago, the pair of them had it between them from a long way out, and it was only half-way up the run-in that Majborough got on top. And we know that Majborough is top class.

 

On her second run at Cheltenham, Kargese won the County Hurdle last year.

 

A 152-rated hurdler, she has had three runs over fences, and she has progressed with each one, and she retains the scope to progress again. She will get the 7lb mares’ allowance too, which is massive.

 

Paul Townend will probably ride Kopek Des Bordes, as long as he lines up, but we haven't seen him since November, so there has to be a slight worry about his preparation, going there on the back of just one run over fences. In that instance, Danny Mullins will probably ride Kargese, and Danny Mullins is top class too.

 

KARGESE WON (ADV 5/1, SP 7/1)