< Wicklow Brave was given an enterprising ride to spring a surprise in the Betdaq Punchestown Champion Hurdle.

The Irish Leger hero was sent to the front down the back by Patrick Mullins and opened up a sizeable advantage.

The gap had been reduced dramatically at the final flight, with his stablemate Arctic Fire and the Nicky Henderson pair of Brain Power and My Tent Or Yours breathing down his neck, but Wicklow Brave (12-1) kept going gamely to beat My Tent Or Yours by a length and a half, giving Willie Mullins' title charge a massive boost.

Team Mullins enjoyed a Grade One double when Bacardys (10-1) pipped Finian's Oscar in the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle.

Colin Tizzard's favourite looked home for all money but a slow jump at the last gave Mullins jnr a sniff and Bacardys responded well to get up by a short head.

The father and son combination went on to complete a treble with Montalbano (11-4) in the Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle.< On The Fringe was bidding to win the Star Best For Racing Coverage Champion Hunters Chase for a remarkable sixth time but could manage only fifth as Balnaslow (4-1) fought off Mendip Express in a thriller.

The brilliant run for Jessie Harrington and Robbie Power shows no sign of slowing down and they scooped the valuable EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase with well-backed 11-4 favourite Woodland Opera

Having taken it up approaching two out, he was challenged by main market rival Arbre De Vie but kept going to cross the line three-quarters of a length to the good.< Definite Ruby (7-1) set sail for home at the top of the straight in the Hanlon Concrete EBF Glencarraig Lady Mares Handicap Chase and had enough left to repel Slowmotion by a length and three-quarters as she repeated her victory of last year.< Das Mooser (5-1) denied Shin A Vee a fourth success in the KFM Hunters Chase, while newcomer Canardier took the GVA Donal O'Buachalla Property Advisors Flat Race.