Liberate kept three David Pipe-trained runners at bay to win a thrilling race for the toteplacepot Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.

Arkle Trophy hopeful Buena Vista proved the star turn at Hereford but had to fight hard to maintain his unbeaten record over fences.

Paul Nicholls, the season’s leading trainer, got off to a winning start at the Cheltenham Festival as Noland took the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.