My Tent Or Yours enjoyed a well-deserved day in the sun after claiming victory in a thrilling Unibet International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson's 10-year-old has finished runner-up in three renewals of the Champion Hurdle, not to mention in the 2013 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, and was also second to The New One in this Grade 2 contest 12 months ago.

He had not managed to get his head in front since landing a National Hunt Flat race at Kempton in February 2014, but proved the fire still burns bright with a heartwarming success under Barry Geraghty.

The jockey said: "He's had some great runs here and that was brilliant.

"He deserved it. He's knocked on the door plenty, but he battled really well against an ultra-tough horse (The New One). You never want to take on The New One too early because you know he's going to keep coming.

"It was sweet. It was a good buzz. It was teed up for a big finish - everything was there. He pinged the last and he just found that extra gear. It was a great finish and it was as good as horse race as it gets.

"If any horse has deserved a big race at Cheltenham it was him. He definitely deserved it and maybe he can run well in March."

The New One set out to make all the running in his bid to claim this prize for a fourth time, with My Tent Or Yours and the Willie Mullins-trained 7/4 favourite Melon waiting in the wings for much of the two-mile journey.

The big three came down to the final flight together, with The New One sandwiched between My Tent Or Yours on the rail and the strong-travelling Melon on the far side.

They settled down to fight it out and for a horse whose gumption has on occasion been questioned, My Tent Or Yours knuckled down admirably to prevail by a length and a quarter from his old rival.

Melon was a further length away in third.

Henderson said: "Ever since this horse was a bumper horse I thought the world of him. You don't see horses that can have battles like that at that age. That was a true race and he deserves it."

Owner J.P. McManus said: "Full marks and Nicky to the team. Nicky never lost faith in this horse and always had faith in him. Even at the age of 10, he still has the old spark there."

Sam Twiston-Davies rode The New One for his father, Nigel - his first mount since he suffered broken elbow in a fall from Double Ross at Sandown on November 12th.

He said: "It's very rare you see me smiling after finishing second, but I had a great buzz off riding him and it's great to be back. It's as fast as I've been over an obstacle in a while and he ran a blinder.

"It's always going to be difficult to give 6lb to My Tent Or Yours, but he's run a cracker."

David Mullins rode Melon, who was having just his fifth run over hurdles, and felt his inexperience told at the business end of the race.

Mullins said: "He travelled very well and I thought I'd a great chance going down to the last and winged it. Those seasoned horses were probably a bit tougher at the finish."

SHAKIRA SKATES IN

Geraghty, Henderson and McManus had earlier teamed up with Apple's Shakira who enhanced her growing reputation when maintaining her unbeaten record with an effortless victory in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.

After taking a Grade 2 at the track on her debut for Nicky Henderson last month the three-year-old had little trouble in taking her record to three from three when brushing aside Nube Negra by three and a half lengths under Barry Geraghty.

Henderson said of the 1/10 winner said: "It was good. A little bit more cover would help as she was a bit keen today.

"She has woken up quite a bit at home since her first run. She just came away nicely and jumped very well. She is very slick.

"I think you have got to like everything she has done. She had to do that when your are that price. She is going the right way but there is a long way to go.

"I don't know whether Chepstow (Finale Hurdle) will come a bit quick. I think it is more likely she will come back here on Trials Day in January."

DONCASTER DOUBLE

Henderson and McManus also combined for a smart winner at Doncaster on Saturday courtesy of novice hurdle winner Countister. The 4/6 chance, ridden by Nico de Boinville, scored by an easy seven lengths.

On the same card the Henderson-trained juvenile We Have A Dream justified 5/6 favouritism in the Grade 2 hurdle. This Martaline gelding is owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, and their retained jockey Daryl Jacob had a simple job to steer this one home.

READ IAN CARNABY'S BRITISH RACING COLUMN IN THE IRISH FIELD EVERY WEEK