Annie Power pipped by 15-2 shot More Of That in World Hurdle at Cheltenham

Stretching: More Of That squeezes past Annie Power to win the World Hurdle at Cheltenham

Celebrating: Jockey Barry Geraghty salutes the crowd after triumphing past Annie Power (left)

Salute: Geraghty laps up the appreciation from the Cheltenham crowd

Plenty still held chances at the bottom of the hill, but it was left to the two unbeaten young guns to fight it out, with More Of That, having just the fifth run of his life, powering to glory.

Trainer Paul Nicholls immediately announced the retirement of 11-year-old Big Buck's, the four-time winner of the race who only returned from injury in January.

Nicholls said: 'He's going to have an honourable retirement, it's a sad to day but it's good to end in one piece.'

Geraghty said of More Of That: 'It's great. AP was the first to congratulate me, there's no hard feelings - he's a true professional.

'He's a good horse. I was always happy. Ruby (Walsh, on Annie Power) was upsides me in the straight and he looked to be travelling and when he gave her a squeeze, the response was OK but I thought I had enough in reserve.

Delighted McManus said: 'Someone was going to be dissapointed and it was Barry's day.
'It's nice to have horses that are good enough to run in these big races, and having Barry and AP on my side is great. Jonjo is a star man.'

Final flight: Sam Twiston-Davies rides Big Buck's, who was retired at the end of the race

Leading the pack: More Of That heads the field after the last fence to claim the race as a 15-2 shot

'Neill said: 'He's still a big frame of a horse really and coming to himself. It all came together nicely, it's brilliant.

He doesn't show you much at home, he's just a real class horse and goes about his business, never does anything flash.'

Big Buck's was taken straight to the stables following the race, but after his retirement was confirmed, the ever-popular runner returned to the paddock to say farewell with one last walk around the ring.

Through the fog: Annie Power being walked along the course on the morning of the World Hurdle