Macs Joy just prevailed in a tremendous three-horse photo-finish to the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle that left all connections delighted with the Cheltenham Festival in mind.
Macs Joy was always travelling sweetly under Barry Geraghty, and joined Solerina in front down the back straight.
The Jessica Harrington-trained 11/8 fav went on two out as Hardy Eustace, kept wide in search of better ground, was produced to challenge with Brave Inca, who made a bad mistake at the third, under pressure in fourth.
Brave Inca stayed on best of all as the trio drew clear of Solerina from the last, only failing by a short-head to peg back Macs Joy with Hardy Eustace just a head away in third.
'Barry probably found himself in front a bit too soon. The faster they go the better he likes it, and he'll have an easy week now before we crack on for Cheltenham,' said Mrs Harrington.
Colm Murphy was 'over the moon' with Brave Inca's performance saying, 'He looked like being a bad fourth turning in but he's as tough as nails. He just doesn't travel on that ground.'
Connections of reigning champion Hardy Eustace were also delighted with Conor O'Dwyer saying, 'I'm absolutely thrilled on that ground.'
Dessie Hughes described the run 'as good as a win' and has not ruled out another outing next month in the Red Mills at Gowran Park.
Harchibald remains favourite for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle (4/1 with Cashmans), while other best prices include Macs Joy (10/1 Grahams), Brave Inca (8/1 Cashmans/Ladbrokes) and Hardy Eustace (8/1 Boylesports).
Harrington was completing a big-race double having earlier taken the Baileys-sponsored 'Arkle' with Ulaan Baatar, whose odds for the Cheltenham equivalent were slashed from 33/1 to a top-priced 12/1 with Grahams.
The well-backed Scarthy Lad (7/2-5/2) blundered badly three out but a great finish looked in prospect as five of the eight runners were still in contention approaching the last.
However Timmy Murphy's mount soon settled the issue by stretched clear on the run-in to beat Foreman by an ever increasing nine lengths, with Ned Kelly a further two lengths adrift in third.
'Timmy said he would be a better 'SunAlliance' horse so I will have to go home and have a think about it. He did it really well on that ground, and I couldn't believe how well he was travelling,' said Mrs Harrington.
Satoha overcame a year lay-off to gain a hard-earned victory under Davy Russell on his jumping debut in the two miles maiden hurdle.
The complexion of the race changed a number of times in the straight as the principals struggled in the testing conditions but Satoha dug deep in the closing stages to hold on by a head from L'Antartique.
Tony McCoy was severely cautioned by the stewards for excessive use of the whip on the runner-up.
'He's been off with leg problems, and that was a good performance having been off for so long. He will learn from that run, and should improve a lot,' said trainer Francis Flood.
McCoy was on the mark later on as Washington Lad denied the persistent challenge of Asian Maze by 1 1/2L in the Grade 3 Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle.
'He had a tough race today and will not run again until the new three miles novice hurdle (Brit Insurance) on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham,' said trainer Pat Fahy.
Charlie Swan was full of praise for Paul Carberry after the latter had Ransboro prominent throughout for a gallant victory in the 2m3f handicap chase.
The six-year-old gelding shrugged off the challenge of long-time rival Rheindross before the last, and kept on well to beat the staying on Jasmin D'Oudairies by four lengths.
'We will keep him going while the ground is soft. Paul really got him jumping, and any distance from 2m2f to 3m seems to suit,' said Swan.
Joint Agreement drew clear from the last to land a gamble for the father and son team of Ted and Ruby Walsh in the 2m6f handicap hurdle.
Tom Taaffe maintained his recent run of success as Beautiful Vision also stretched away inside the final furlong under Tom Freyne in the bumper.
Alan Magee
