Canny Danny Mullins leads home 1-2-3-4 for Willie Mullins on Kargese in the Racing Post

Willie’s nephew has proven himself time and time again as the ultimate super sub, gobbling up whatever scraps Paul Townend leaves behind. She is also owned by Kenny Alexander.

The similarities are striking. Gala Marceau chased home Lossiemouth in the Triumph Hurdle, and Kargese is now Sir Gino’s biggest rival in the market, being cut to 6-1 (from 12) by Betfair and Paddy Power after holding off her better fancied stablemate Storm Heart by a length and a quarter.

“It’s going to be hard to beat Nicky Henderson’s horse, Sir Gino. We have our work cut out with him,” admitted Willie Mullins after sending out the 1-2-3-4 here.

On the winner, he said: “She was too keen with Danny at Christmas. The plan today was to make the running and it just shows you that we don’t even know what we’re doing at this stage!

Next thing Mark [Walsh] jumped out and made the running. His horse was galloping so Danny settled the filly in and she was much more settled today after blowing away the cobwebs at Christmas.”

Storm Heart, Majborough, and Bunting might not have won, but they all look to have bright futures. Mullins said: “Mark was very happy with Majborough and thinks he’ll improve for that run.

He gallops and jumps and he’s more of a chaser to look at. Paul felt that Storm Heart probably got stuck in the ground and was a bit keen with him as well.

The winning rider also said it was his intention to make the running, but quickly had to alter that idea. Danny Mullins said: “Plan A was to make the running, but that was out the window by the time I got around the first bend.

I’d say Willie was watching me coming across the top wondering when the alarm clock was going to go off?! “We got a good jump again at the second last to put us back where I wanted to be.

I didn’t want to use that petrol to get a position leaving the back, I wanted to use it to win.” Kargese is now a genuine Triumph Hurdle contender, although whether she is good enough to see off Sir Gino, only time will tell.