PUNCHESTOWN 17:30 5a595m

All 12 ran. Hurdles: 13.

Time: 6m 3s Closing Sectional: (4.6f): 62.6s (111.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 125%, Betfair SP 99.2%

A really good renewal of this Grade 1, all bar one of the first 6 home from the Cheltenham equivalent turning up as well as the Champion Hurdle fourth, and it produced a thrilling finish, Unowhatimeanharry denying Nichols Canyon on the nod, the pair coming a long way clear in the straight off what was just a modest gallop.

UNOWHATIMEANHARRY the dominant force in this division prior to Cheltenham, proved better than ever as he avenged his defeat there, crucially getting first run on Nichols Canyon early in the straight and digging really deep to hold that one's late surge; mid-division, typically travelled well, went prominent 4 out, led entering straight, tackled final 100 yds, battled well; he will presumably be campaigned along similar lines next season.

NICHOLS CANYON lost his unbeaten record when going right-handed over jumps but ran right up to his best, just failing to reel in an on-song Unowhatimeanharry on this occasion (in front a stride after the line), the pair well clear; raced along inside, mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden early in straight, stayed on well; he is capable of cleaning up in these events in Ireland next season.

FOOTPAD (FR) ran respectably at this 5f longer trip, not quite seeing it out having briefly looked set to play an even bigger part turning for home; patiently ridden, took closer order 4 out, close up third home turn, no extra run-in.

DE PLOTTING SHED (IRE) back up in trip, again ran well, as consistent as they come but not quite up to this level; close up, driven 3 out, one paced; will presumably go chasing next season.

ONE TRACK MIND (IRE) back over hurdles after a brief spell chasing and in first-time cheekpieces, took a step back in the right direction without ever really looking like repeating last year's success; close up, ridden between 3 out and 2 out, labouring early in straight, ran on late; a more aggressive ride may show him in an even better light.

JURY DUTY (IRE) ran up to best on a rare foray out of handicap company; dropped out, mistake fourth, headway entering straight, kept on, never a threat.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL back up in trip, ran better than last time, but there is no reason to believe he is any better than this nowadays; mid-division, lost place early final circuit, driven 3 out, merely plugged on.

SNOW FALCON (IRE) the only one of these to have run at both Cheltenham and Aintree, ran below form; held up, no threat from 2 out, held when blundered last.

CLONDAW WARRIOR (IRE) has gone off the boil; in rear, not fluent 5 out, brief headway before 2 out, never a threat.

LIL ROCKERFELLER (USA) wasn't in the same form as last time, perhaps over the top now; made running, headed 2 out, weakened.

SHANESHILL (IRE) again ran below form, his season having rather petered out; close up, lost place 3 out, driven next, faded.

SUTTON PLACE (IRE) upped in trip, had his winning run ended through injury; mid-division, in touch 3 out, went wrong before next.