The Nicky Henderson-trained Punjabi (2-1) repelled the home defence to continue the excellent form of the British at this year's Festival.

Lining up in the ACCBank Champion Hurdle on the back of his Cheltenham third, he confirmed his superiority over Sublimity, beating him by three lengths after Barry Geraghty set sail for home on the turn. Harchibald could only manage fourth.

Henderson said: "We have been coming to this meeting for a long time and really enjoy it. We kept this horse back after Cheltenham especially to come here. He is a proper two-miler and won at this meeting last year."

Tranquil Sea continued his rise up the ladder with an admirable victory in the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle.

Edward O'Grady's 7-1 chance finished eighth in the Supreme Novices', but successfully stepped up to this two-and-a-half-mile trip at Limerick subsequently and took over from Trafford Lad turning for home here.

Fiveforthree emerged as a big danger, but he never looked like getting on terms and still had two lengths to make up at the line.

Scotsirish (8-1) defied top-weight to plunder a big prize in the betfair.com Novice Handicap Chase.

Seventh in the Arkle, Willie Mullins' charge took the step up in trip in his stride and loomed up to tackle the front-running Double Dizzy at the penultimate obstacle.

He took up the running soon after and galloped all the way to the line under champion-elect Ruby Walsh for a four-length call.

Mullins had struck earlier when Arbor Supreme relished the stamina-sapping three miles and six furlongs in the Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Handicap Chase.

The 12-1 chance cruised into contention two out and Hold The Pin's heavy last-fence fall did little to detract from the manner of his five-length triumph.

John Carr gained some compensation for Sublimity's defeat when White Head (3-1) took the opening Bishopscourt Cup.

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