Iktitaf wins at Champions Hurdle in Punchestown

The Noel Meade trained Iktitaf showed he would be a serious contender for the Champions Hurdle at Cheltenham next March with a fine victory at the Maplewood Developments Morgiana Hurdle in Punchestown.

The 5/4 favourite was at the rear for much of the race before improving his position at the second last flight .

He had to battle to get the better of Asian Maze and Ruby Walsh during the last stretch but managed to get ahead.

Asian Maze finished in second place with Black Inca in third.

"For a horrible moment I thought Asian Maze was coming back at us but our fellow knuckled down well,” trainer Meade said.

"Paul (Carberry) said he jumped fantastic. I don't know where we will go next - I had intended to go for the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse, but that's probably off the agenda now.” In other results, Blueberry Boy finished ahead of Gemini Lucky to pull off a surprise win the Volkswagen Craddockstown Novice Chase.

And Walk Home won the Racing Coverage Handicap Chase with Slow to Part and Johnnee Joblot coming second and third respectively.