Punjabi claims 4-Y-O crown

Punjabi gained a deserved Grade One success in the Ballymore Properties Champion 4-Y-O Hurdle - but had to fight hard to see off the persistent challenge of Financial Reward.

Nicky Henderson's 6-4 favourite acquitted himself with great credit at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals but ultimately came up short behind impressive youngster Katchit.

Taking advantage of the absence of Alan King's star, Punjabi was always travelling smoothly and ranged upsides the eventual runner-up on the approach to the penultimate flight.

Despite looking to be going best, Fitzgerald held on to his mount until asking for everything soon after the last.

Financial Reward (8-1) fought bravely on the far rail but Punjabi was always just winning the argument and passed the post with three-quarters of a length to spare. Patrick Flynn's 5-1 shot Bahrain Storm stuck on well to claim third.

Henderson said: 'He really did deserve that. Katchit is just too good for him, but he has upheld the form and shown they are good horses.

'He's entitled to be the second-best four-year-old on this running, and you have to be brave to run at Cheltenham, Aintree and then here.

'I was going to put him back on the Flat but I will treat him like a hurdler and give him a break.

'I'm not making any decisions about next season though - I'll wait and see what happens.'