MINELLA Indo confirmed his Cheltenham superiority over Allaho as he landed the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

First and third in the Albert Bartlett in March, Allaho attempted to make all under Ruby Walsh in a change of tactics from Cheltenham and jumping the second last, it appeared he was going better than Minella Indo.

However, turning into the straight Rachael Blackmore pulled Henry de Bromhead’s charge out for a challenge and he quickened up smartly, shooting clear of Allaho to prove his Cheltenham win was no fluke at odds of 5/1.

Carefully Selected came from out of the pack to close into third, but Minella Indo ran out a two-length winner.