Zaynar confirmed his position as the season's top juvenile with a tigerish defeat of Walkon in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson's grey had been at the head of the market since defeating the same rival at Newbury in December but was now 7lb worse off for a four-length victory.

Talk of uninspiring work at home and the fitting of cheekpieces did not aid confidence in Zaynar and he was sent off 11-2, with Walkon the 4-1 favourite.

Walkon certainly justified Wiltshire trainer Alan King's claims he had made dramatic improvement in the interim and only succumbed by three-quarters of a length in a battle to savour up the final hill.

Ebadiyan, representing Oliver Brady, ensured a decent pace from the off but disaster was to strike for him when still in the lead at the penultimate flight, as he jinked out through the wing.

Nearly all the major players were in touch, with Zaynar finding himself in front, Walkon boxing away on the inside and a motionless Timmy Murphy smuggling Starluck into contention almost unnoticed.

Starluck's stamina ebbed away under pressure and by the last it was Robert Thornton and Walkon alongside Barry Geraghty and Zaynar.

Although Walkon was not smooth at his obstacle, he was presented with every opportunity to win.

Henderson said: "It was a good race, they are two tough four-year-olds, they gave everything.

"I just feel a bit sorry for Kingy because they've run against each other before and that is where the form for the race came from.

"We knew he'd stay but I just didn't know what