Punjabi lands the spoils in Champion Hurdle thriller

Punjabi caused a 22-1 shock in a sensational Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle renewal on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival by defeating stablemate and 6-4 favourite Binocular.

Trainer Nicky Henderson was elated to win his first Champion Hurdle since triple winner See You Then's 1987 triumph, but it was the yard's second string under jockey Barry Geraghty that upset the odds.

Ruby Walsh on Celestial Halo and Punjabi forged ahead on the turn for home with Binocular and Tony McCoy moving ominously well in behind.

The three were almost in the air together jumping the last but Punjabi kept on best of all to deny Celestial Halo and Binocular by a neck and a head.

Geraghty, bringing up a double on the day after Forpadydeplaster's Arkle Chase win, said: "Happy days, it was a great performance. I thought I'd Ruby well covered turning in. I rode him work during the week and he felt brilliant. It's my first winner for Nicky at Cheltenham as well."

Henderson said: "Those great days of See You then were very special. It's nice to be back with horses that can do this sort of thing. Punjabi has always been a very good horse. It was a great race."

Meanwhile, the meeting had begun on a great note for the Irish after opening race wins for Go Native in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Forpadydeplasterer.

The Irish have a good record in the Supreme Novices but it was 12-1 shot Go Native, rather than hot favourite Cousin Vinny, that obliged for stricken trainer Noel Meade.