Trainer Colm Murphy recorded a unique training feat when his Brave Inca added Leopardstown's December Festival Hurdle to Feathard Lady's win in the Christmas Hurdle at Sandown on St Stephen's Day.
Brave Inca tracked leader Newmill in second before moving through to lead approaching the final flight, with Harchibald staying on into second on the run-in, eventually finding Brave Inca three lengths too strong.
Afterwards winning jockey Tony McCoy reported 'Brave Inca is a very tough horse but runs a bit lazily. I didn't want to do too much because I needed to keep a bit for a battle with Harchibald.'
He added 'Harchibald and Brave Inca are two very good horses and they will make for an excellent Champion Hurdle in March.'
Regarding the threat of Feathard Lady in the Champion Hurdle, McCoy did mention 'she will have to be a very good horse to beat Brave Inca!'
McCoy had earlier ridden partnered 8/11 favourite Firth Or Forth to win the opening Bewleys Hotel Glasgow Maiden Hurdle for trainer Joe Crowley.
Firth Or Forth was always prominent and went to the front after the second last flight, eventually staying on well for comfortable four and a half length win over Geill Sli.
Jockey Johnny Murtagh, riding Maxxium, signed out of jump racing with a narrow defeat to Paul Carberry and Rocket Ship in the Bewleys Hotel Leeds Hurdle.
Five horses held chances on the run to the final flight and although Maxxium got to the front briefly at the last, Rocket Ship edged ahead for a short head win.
Afterwards Rocket Ship's trainer Noel Meade mentioned 'he was a very good horse last year and would have been close in the Royal Bond Hurdle last season only for a mistake at the second last.'
Murtagh on the other hand reported his retirement from the jumps game saying 'I'm off to Dubai soon and then the Flat season will begin so, although I'm disappointed it's at an end, I had a great time riding over hurdles.'
Martin Brassil's Nickname ran out an impressive winner on his chase debut in the Bewleys Hotel Manchester Beginners Chase.
Backed at fancy prices in the morning and from 6/1 into 5/1 on track, Nickname led from the third, jumped well and easily accounted for a decent field by an eased down ten lengths.
Brassil later commented 'he ran over jumps as a three year old in France and was a talented sort over hurdles. However he has had his problems but will now go for the Arkle Chase at Leopardstown in January.'
Adrian Maguire's Celestial Wave landed the Listed Bewleys Hotel Dublin Airport EBF Mares Hurdle, a third winner in three days for jockey Nina Carberry.
