Cole Harden on top of the World

Cole Harden saw off stiff competition to secure glory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday.

Warren Greatrex’s six-year-old jumped superbly for jockey Gavin Sheehan, as he managed to see off challenges from Saphir Du Rheu and Zarkandar who finished second and third respectively.

It was Greatrex’s first winner at the Cheltenham Festival and the trainer was delighted with Cole Harden’s performance following a difficult start to the season.

He said: “If you’re going to break your duck (at Cheltenham), you may as well do it in a big one.

“This means everything. I was struggling with him early season, but then he went and won at Wetherby and I didn’t know what to think.

“We knew he was spot on, you don’t come thinking you are going to win, but I knew the rest would have to be right on their game.

“I thought going to the last we had them as he wouldn’t stop. It’s fantastic. We’re trying to compete with the big yards and hopefully this will help.”