Nicky Henderson came, saw and conquered - but not quite as we expected.

The master of Seven Barrows duly landed the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle but not with favourite Binocular. This was Punjabi's day.

So he did need the run in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton as badly as his handler warned beforehand - and he won his Champion the hard way.

With Hardy Eustace, Osana and Celestial Halo setting a fierce gallop up front there was no place to hide even in a bumper 23-strong field.

Tony McCoy aboard Binocular sat in seventh, on the inside, jumping and travelling strongly.

Down the hill they came and Celestial Halo had cracked his two pace rivals. Now Punjabi loomed large.

Alongside he drew at the second last - but in behind McCoy was still motionless.

He had two lengths to make up on the pair in front and approaching the last he angled Binocular out.

This was the moment, the bullet was about to be fired. But it missed the target.

McCoy was now urgent, the gap was still over a length and we all knew Binocular wouldn't come up the hill.

But he did, ears flat back as he found reserves of energy to close them down with McCoy in overdrive but this battle was beyond even him.

For Punjabi had mastered Celestial Halo and the line was within sight.

Still they came, both the gallant runner-up and Binocular and one final tilt at hurdling's blue riband. It was all to no avail.

Punjabi won the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle by a neck from Celestial Halo with Binocular a head away in third.

There have been better renewals of the race - but few more exciting.

McCoy can take some solace - but won't - from the fact he gave Wichita Lineman one of the best rides I've seen to land the William Hill Trophy.

Go Native won the Supreme Novices' like a horse with a real future - but don't forget he was brushed aside by Hurricane Fly at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Punjabi will have a real fight on his hooves if he is to retain his title - but for tonight let him bask in the glory of winning it.

The final 150 yards was no place for the faint-hearted. On this day Punjabi was the bravest of them all.