More Cheltenham joy for Katie Walsh

CHELTENHAM, England (Reuters) - Amateur Irish rider Katie Walsh enjoyed more success at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday when she landed the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle on 20-1 shot Thousand Stars.

Walsh was in tears after riding her first Festival winner, a novice chase for amateur jockeys, on Poker De Sivola (14-1) on Wednesday after fighting out a close finish with fellow Irish female jockey Nina Carberry.

There were just smiles this time from the 25-year-old younger sister of Ruby Walsh, the most successful jockey ever at the Festival.

"To ride one winner here is brilliant but to have two, I wouldn't have even thought it possible," she said.

"I haven't even started to celebrate my first winner so it will be some celebration tonight. It hasn't even sunk in, I'll be pinching myself when I wake up."

Willie Mullins, trainer of Thousand Stars, was full of praise for Walsh.

"That was a super ride from Katie. She was very cool and delivered her challenge perfectly," he said.

"I love putting her up (on his horses) -- that's her second big handicap victory on this horse for me."

(Editing by Clare Fallon)