Chomba Womba lowered the colours of Champion Hurdle fancy Crack Away Jack in a protracted battle for the Coral Ascot Hurdle.

Having beaten last year's champion Katchit at Wincanton last time, Nicky Henderson's mare was sent off as the 2-1 joint-favourite with Crack Away Jack and after Elusive Dream dropped away at the last, the market leaders had it between them.

A bad mistake at the second-last by Crack Away Jack did not help his chances at all and Chomba Womba always seemed to be holding Emma Lavelle's stable star.

Chomba Womba eventually prevailed by a length with Elusive Dream a further two lengths away in third.

Sky Bet pushed Crack Away Jack out to 13-2 for the Champion Hurdle, with Chomba Womba cut to 16-1.

However, Henderson was unable to mention the Champion Hurdle as a possible target for Chomba Womba, for whom plans are wide open.

The Seven Barrows trainer said: "Mick (Fitzgerald) said that two miles plus stretched her at the Festival and I think you have to hang onto her over the longer trip.

"She's tough and is a lovely, lovely mare. She was meant to be at stud having babies, but will have another go at that next year."

Lavelle believes Crack Away Jack might have won but of the error.

"He missed the second last and it stopped his momentum," she said.

"If he'd flown it he would have got there in front, but he's lost nothing in defeat. This doesn't change anything as far as the Champion Hurdle is concerned."