Racing: David Pipe completed a brilliant afternoon when Osana also led from pillar to post in the Boylesports International under Paddy Brennan. But the race was marred by a serious injury to star Irish hurdler Macs Joy who had to be put down.
Brennan made sure there was no hanging around and made full use of the 8lb he was getting from champion hurdler Sublimity, who made eyecatching headway before fading markedly on the run to the last.
Katchit emerged as the major contender but Osana (7-1) powered away again to emerge as a credible Champion Hurdle contender. Penzance stayed on for third.
Brennan said: "He's some horse, I really enjoyed that. They said he was was ready and he meant business. He jumped super - Tom Scudamore (injured stable jockey) has a lot to look forward to.
"He missed the last but then I was away again. The Pipes are back - horses that make all and keep kicking. He's good enough for a crack at the Champion Hurdle."
Pipe said: "He's won on merit, he nicked a couple of lengths at the start but they went a sensible gallop.
"They caught him up just like they did in the County Hurdle, but he went away again today whereas they swallowed him up in March," he told Racing UK.
While trainer John Carr was obviously disappointed Sublimity had been beaten, he was not that upset.
"I'm disappointed that he has not won, but he has run a very good race," said Carr. "Philip (Carberry) just said he blew up coming to the last.
"I was aware of not trying to overdo him at home because the key is to keep him fresh. The plan stays the same, he'll go to the AIG next (Leopardstown, January 27th).
Alan King saddled the second and third and said:
"I'm pleasantly surprised with Penzance but he has been working the place down at home. Katchit has run very well again.He'll have one run now before the Champion which I think will be in the Kingwell at Wincanton."
Unfortunately clerk of the course Simon Claisse confirmed that Macs Joy's injury was serious enough for him to be put down.
"He broke a tibia and had to be put down immediately," said Claisse of Jessica Harrington's stable star.