Silent Oscar holds off Macs Joy

Robbie Power steers Silent Oscar to victory at Punchestown

Silent Oscar rallied well to pip favourite Macs Joy to win the ACCBank Champion Hurdle feature at Punchestown.

Macs Joy, winner of this race in 2006, look set for a repeat but Silent Oscar, under Grand National winner Robbie Power, got up by a neck.

The first two pulled well clear of third-placed Hardy Eustace as Harry Rogers' charge sprung what was a major surprise in the Grade One contest.

"He battled back bravely," said winning jockey Power.

"These Grade One races are what you are in the game for.

"He should not have been as big a price as he was. He just loves the ground."

Hardy Eustace made the early pace as Macs Joy was settled in behind by Barry Geraghty.

Only approaching the fourth-last did Hardy Eustace begin to falter as Silent Oscar cruised up on the outside to hit the front.

Macs Joy soon went in pursuit and the pair settled down to battle it out in the straight, with Silent Oscar just shading it as they jumped the last.

ACCBank Champion Hurdle
1. Silent Oscar (R Power) 20-1
2. Macs Joy (B Gerraghty) 7-4 Fav
3. Hardy Eustace (C O'Dwyer) 4-1