Punjabi edges Champion battle

Punjabi showed terrific heart to emerge on top from a three-way battle in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Barry Geraghty moved his mount up to tackle Celestial Halo at the second last with hot favourite Binocular (6/4) moving smoothly behind the pair.

Binocular flattened out slightly when asked for his effort after the last but stayed on again in the closing stages to get involved in the photo, giving winning trainer Nicky Henderson a one-three in the two mile championship.

It was the second part of a memorable double for Geraghty, who had earlier claimed the Arkle Chase aboard Forpadydeplasterer.

Punjabi was improving on last year's third to Katchit in the race.

Geraghty said: "Happy days. A great performance.

"I thought I had Ruby well covered turning in. He ran on really well, he was all out, it was a great performance.

"I tipped a Nicky Henderson one-two. There was one in between but it's brilliant.

"It's my first winner for Nicky at Cheltenham, as well."

Henderson added: "It takes you back. Those great days of (three-time Champion Hurdle winner) See You Then were very special and it's nice to be back with horses that can do this sort of thing.

"Punjabi has always been a very talented horse and Barry gets on very well with him.

"Both of mine have run tremendous races. It's very special to see them both there with Celestial Halo in between them.

"You think you have two chances and you've still got one to beat - a great race."

McCoy said of Binocular: "He ran a great race and if the ground had been a bit better, it would have helped him.

"He did stay on after the last."