Macs Joy (centre) edges a thriller.

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Macs Joy completed the second leg of what could be a famous treble when getting the better of Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace in a pulsating finish to the AIG Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The much-improved six-year-old followed up his win in the Festival Hurdle at the Dublin track last month with a victory that had the packed stands gasping for air as half the field flashed past the post virtually locked together.

Barry Cash punched the air aboard Brave Inca indicating he thought they had got up but a photo-finish determined that it was again Macs Joy's day - much to the delight of the public who had sent him off 11-8 favourite.

He landed the €90,250 first prize by just a short head from Colm Murphy's charge (7-2), while last year's Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace (7-1) was a very honourable third, just a head away.

Macs Joy jumped to the front under a confident Barry Geraghty two out and the rider looked a picture of confidence turning for home.

But he had challengers coming at him on all sides in the closing stages with Hardy Eustace charging home down the centre of the track and Brave Inca staying on all the time down the inside rail - that despite having been off the bridle down the back straight and having made a terrible mess of the third flight.

All three will renew rivalry in hurdling's blue riband event at Cheltenham in March.

"He battled back after he was headed but was in front too long today, he is better when he comes late," said winning trainer Jessica Harrington, who was celebrating a Grade One double after the earlier success of Ulaan Baatar.

"He handles any ground, though, from this heavy to good to firm. We'll keep him ticking over, give him an easy week and then head to Cheltenham hoping for the best.

"I don't know if he will be good enough to win there but he will take his chance and I just hope that the same three can come up the hill at Cheltenham!"

Brave Inca has now finished runner-up to Macs Joy three times this season but trainer Colm Murphy was far from downbeat after his seven-year-old, winner of last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, lived up to his name as he battled all the way to the finish.

"Turning in he was going to be a bad fourth but he is as tough as nails and stayed on well," said County Wexford-based Murphy. "He has had a hard race today but there are eight weeks before Cheltenham.

"He doesn't travel in that ground but I am thrilled. Everything has gone to plan so far this season and let's hope that is keeps going that way."

The market for the Champion Hurdle remained largely unchanged after the two-mile contest, with Harchibald heading the ante-post lists with Ladbrokes and totesport at 3-1, although the former pushed Macs Joy out to 8-1 from 7s.

They also cut Hardy Eustace, who occupied the same finishing position in the Festival Hurdle, from 8-1 to 7s with spokesman Mike Dillon feeling that there may be more to come from Hardy Eustace when his blinkers are reapplied.

Trainer Dessie Hughes was thrilled with the performance of the eight-year-old.

"He ran a hell of a race and hopefully he will run a hell of a race in the Champion Hurdle," he said. "I walked the track and instructed Connor (O'Dwyer) to come wide. The worst of the ground was after the last and he just could not quicken on it.

"It was a good run and I now know the horse is right. He may go to Gowran Park (for the Red Mills Hurdle) next month before Cheltenham."

O'Dwyer added: "That was much more like it and there are still two months to go."

Solerina as usual tried to run the field ragged but she weakened entering the home straight and finished fourth, just ahead of Paul Nolan's Accordion Etoile, who travelled well for a long way before fading on ground he hated.