Harchibald and Carberry take Christmas Hurdle Harchibald (7-1) landed the second Stan James Christmas Hurdle of his career in a thrilling renewal at Kempton. Afsoun crashed out early, favourite Punjabi came down when still going well two out - impeding Harchibald - and Pierrot Lunaire also fell when beaten at the last. As normal, the mercurial Harchibald came up to the leaders still on the bridle, but a messy jump at the final flight cost him momentum. Snap Tie and Blue Bajan were on either side of Noel Meade's Irish raider but he found plenty for Paul Carberry this time to beat Snap Tie by three-quarters of a length. Harchibald, also second in this race 12 months ago after his win in 2004, received a 20-1 from 33s quote from William Hill for the Champion Hurdle. Carberry said: "That was absolutely brilliant. "I said to Ruby (Walsh) at the start that he hadn't felt this way in a long time. "He put in a few brave leaps but he always gets there - it was important not to get him to the front too soon. "He kept galloping after the last and it was great."
