Labaik threw away his race at the start once more and Melon was eclipsed in the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle as Cilaos Emery came through to pick up the pieces in the opening Grade 1 at Punchestown.

The Willie Mullins-trained second string stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to collar his more illustrious stable-mate on the run-in the the two-miler.

With the runners told to take a turn approaching the tapes Labaik dug his heels in after a second attempt. He eventually jumped off to trail around a distance behind.

Melon took them along but was joined at half-way by Pingshou and the pair did battle from a good way out.

It looked between them turning for home as Cilaos Emery came under pressure in third.

Their earlier exertions took their toll, however, and having got to the front before the last 5/4 favourite Melon couldn't contain the powerful late surge of Cilaos Emery.

The Luke McMahon-owned gelding, sent to post an 8/1 shot, wore down his rival on the run-in to score by a length under a powerful drive from David Mullins. Pingshou faded, three-and-a-quarter lengths back in third.

Drama - Labaik throws away his chance at the start as Melon is overhauled by stablemate Cilaos Emery in the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle: pic.twitter.com/RuHmD9A7fZ

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 25, 2017

“I'd imagine Davy Russell and Ruby just took each other on and went too fast down the back,” said Mullins afterwards.

“As much as Ruby thought he should let Davy on, if he had let him on and he beat him he would have kicked himself, so he had to go with him.

“Davy Russell obviously thought he had more stamina than he did, so the two of them cracked and then David Mullins was able to settle in behind them and come with a wet sail.

“I'm disappointed for Melon but Ruby couldn't do much more and had to go with the other horse.

“It's still only his third run over hurdles. He was beaten fair and square in Cheltenham but it was only his second run over hurdles.

“Today it looked like the two in front cut each others throats. He missed the third last which would have left a bit more in the tank. I think there is still plenty improvement in him.

“We decided to ride Cilaos Emery a little different today and waited more. He deserved it. He's a horse that has disappointed on his last couple of runs.

“He has a Grade One now and it's fantastic for Luke, who is a great supporter of the yard. He gets his day and we're delighted for him.”

When asked about what he thought when Labaik stood still at the start Mullins replied:- “That was unfortunate but he's liable to do that.”

The one-two moved Mullins €80,000 closer in the trainer's title but he said:- “There is a long way to go and we're not under any illusion. It's a good start and we're delighted.

David Mullins added:- “Things have been going well and it's great to get one here.”

Gordon Elliott said later:- “It was one of those days and we knew that when Labaik didn't jump off.

“If they had went first time it would have been great but I'm in the game long enough and I'm not going to start crying.

“He'll line up in the Champion Hurdle on Friday and sure if he jumps off there he might sneak into a place.

“That's the chance you take with Labaik. We all know he has a massive engine but it would break your heart to say the least.

“You saw what he did in the Supreme Novice and I suppose if he jumps of in one or two out of three runs it'll do because he's good.”