Refinement claims Stayers' Hurdle

Powerstation and Refinement jumped the last flight together

Favourite Mighty Man was pulled up injured as Tony McCoy steered Refinement to success in the Champion Stayers' Hurdle at Punchestown.

The expected duel between Aintree winner Might Man and Brave Inca never materialised in the Grade One feature.

Brave Inca, stepping up to three miles, was never in contention while Richard Johnson dismounted the favourite before the final straight.

Refinement powered away to record a two-and-a-half-length verdict.

Mighty Man had made just about all the running up until going wrong just before the penultimate flight.

As Mighty Man dropped through the field, Michael O'Brien's strong-travelling Essex briefly took over before Powerstation delivered a strong challenge in the home straight.

The eventual runner-up grabbed the lead before the last, but McCoy had the move covered and brought his mount with a strong run to take over soon after touching down.

United, fourth in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham, again ran well but had to settle for third after her run flattened out close home.

Jockey Johnson said of Mighty Man: "He broke down on his off-fore and I had been niggling for four flights before that.

I have never had to do that as he is such a trier and he would have gone on until he fell into the ground.

"The ground was perfect, it is just an injury that could have happened anywhere. The owner treats him like a child and he will get the best of attention. It happened before we really got racing."

Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Champion Stayers' Hurdle
1. Refinement (A P McCoy) 16-1
2. Powerstation (D F O'Regan) 20-1
3. United (L Aspell) 16-1