Celestial Halo got his campaign off to the best possible start when completing a double for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh in the totescoop6 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton.

Last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up hit the front before the turn for home and jumped with aplomb in the straight.

Despite giving away lumps of weight to the opposition the 11-4 joint-favourite won in great style by 10 lengths from Mamlook with the other joint-favourite Whiteoak back in third..

Nicholls said: "I am very impressed with that because we've left plenty to work with.

"It's surprised me a bit to be honest as you can't always gauge their improvement from four to five. He'll go to the Bula (Boylesports International) at Cheltenham next."

Celestial Halo was cut to 8-1 from 11s for the Champion Hurdle with Paddy Power.