Racing: Ruby Walsh and Thousand Stars made all the running to land the Ladbrokes.com Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown. Willie Mullins' grey was sent straight into the lead by Walsh and the well-backed 5/4 favourite jumped impeccably throughout the two mile contest.
A fine leap at the last sealed the victory, with the Grade One contest his sixth success over hurdles and his second in a row after a French Champion Hurdle win in the summer.
Jessica Harrington's Oscars Well ran on for second place but was unable to match the turn of foot shown by the winner, whilst Charles Byrnes' Pittoni made a bad mistake at the third hurdle and never looked a real threat to the winner.
Boylesports now make the winner 6/1 for the 2012 World Hurdle, whilst both Sky Bet and Victor Chandler go a point bigger at 7/1.
In the Champion Hurdle market, Thousand Stars is 16/1 (from 33/1) and Oscars Well is 33/1 (from 16/1) with Boylesports, whilst Sky Bet go 12/1 and Victor Chandler were even more impressed at 10/1.
VC spokesperson Charlie McCann: "It is possible that the fitness of Hurricane Fly will determine which race Thousand Stars targets at the Festival but he didn't look short of speed in seeing off a disappointing Oscars Well and Pittoni."