< Solwhit got the better of a thrilling duel with Punjabi to land the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown by a short head.

The Charles Byrnes-trained winner (2-1) travelled well in the hands of Davy Russell and got into top gear as Punjabi took the lead approaching the final flight.

The two of them settled down to fight out the finish on the run-in and Solwhit just edged out the Cheltenham hero. He will have a Champion Hurdle campaign next season.

There's no stopping Willie Mullins and he grabbed another big prize when Mikael D'Haguenet took his unbeaten record for the season to six in the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle.

The 8-11 market leader was given a confident ride by Ruby Walsh, although there was a brief moment of danger when his stablemate Cousin Vinny loomed up on the run to the final flight.

Mikael D'Haguenet's stamina kicked in and he lengthened away on the run-in to score impressively by four lengths.

Mullins and Walsh also scored when Equus Maximus (3-1) got up close home in the Betfair Novice Handicap Chase.

The nine-year-old travelled powerfully throughout the two-mile-five-furlong contest and moved up to challenge Tranquil Sea after jumping the second-last.

The two of them settled down to fight it out, but there was an air of inevitability about the result as Equus Maximus powered clear after the final fence to score by four lengths.

The Mullins-trained Ballytrim also under Walsh, just lasted home best in a gruelling slog for the marathon Eventus Marquees Handicap Chase.

Tony McCoy tried to make all on Baily Breeze and looked to have the race won, but he tired badly after jumping the last and Walsh forced Ballytrim (11-2) past before holding the late effort of Rock Diplomat by two lengths.

Top amateur Patrick Mullins, just beaten on Cousin Vinny, delivered Blazing Tempo with a strong challenge in the last furlong to win the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association EBF NH Fillies Premier Bumper.

British raider Copper Bleu trained by Philip Hobbs, led all the way to take the Sta

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