There was a thrilling finish to the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle, with Albert Bartlett hero Jasmin De Vaux (13/8f) just getting the better of Aintree winner Honesty Policy (5/2).

The market principals came to the fore approaching the last, with the Willie Mullins-trained victor pecking on landing, resulting in Paul Townend losing his right iron.

Soon kicking out his left one, the champion jockey elect still managed to cajole his mount to the front and the pair were half-a-length to the good at the line.

Losing little in defeat, Honesty Policy had to settle for the runner-up spot under Mark Walsh for Gordon Elliott, while the well-supported Fleur In The Park (17/2 from 22s early) was another six-lengths away in third.

"I feel a bit stupid to be honest," Townend reflected.

"We all know what way he jumps. I just asked him for one at the last and he got his ass a bit high. He had a peck and I don't know, my weight went one way and he kind of shifted at the wrong time.

"I lost my right stirrup and I thought it was quicker to kick out the other one and ride for the finish rather than try to get it back. We were building up a head of steam at the last and I just needed that one jump.

"He has improved so much in his jumping throughout the year but there is still room for improvement. But yeah, it was a bit silly.

"I suppose you don't want to put yourself in those positions, you want to do things right the whole time. It won't say it on the cheque anyway! We'll take them whatever way we can, but we'd like to keep it a bit simpler than that.

"He's a very good horse with a huge engine.

"He jumped better on the whole, still though you're riding him into every hurdle, he takes a bit of nursing around, but he is getting the hang of it."

Mullins, who was completing a double after winning the previous contest with Kaid D'authie added: "He just does it when he has to. He's not the world's best jumper. Paul asked him for a big one at the last, he gave it to him but he nearly tipped him out of the saddle.

"It was great jockeyship by Paul to stay in the saddle.

"It's a fantastic achievement to get that done, get the job done. He did what needed to be done.

"He's got a huge engine, maybe he'll jump fences better - I don't know.

"If you can just get him near the winning post, get him over his hurdles without losing too much ground he's able to make it up on the flat."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident after the last hurdle involving Honesty Policy, ridden by M.P. Walsh, placed second, and Jasmin De Vaux (FR), ridden by P. Townend, placed first, where it appeared both horses came close together. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that the incident was accidental and it did not have any bearing on the result of the race so they took no further action.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson