It was inevitable but all the more watchable for that. Istabraq duly completed an unbeaten season with the minimum of fuss in the Shell Champion Hurdle but yesterday was about the acclamation of a champion.

After making it seven from seven this term, Istabraq returned to a rapturous reception and JP McManus caught the mood when declaring: "I couldn't be more pleased with the way it has gone. Full marks to Aidan (O'Brien), Charlie (Swan) and all at Ballydoyle on a great season."

McManus had endured the loss of Joe Mac earlier in the week but said: "That's racing and we celebrate when we can because you never know when the next winner will be."

If all else fails, the leading owner can console himself that Istabraq will surely end any drought that might miraculously emerge between now and when the Champion Hurdler appears again next season.

Istabraq was at his imperious best yesterday. Limestone Lad and Sir Talbot ensured such a furious pace that Swan and Norman Williamson on the eventual runner up Decoupage declared it a better race than the Champion Hurdle in March.

The 1 to 4 favourite, however, ranged up on the outside between the last two flights and Swan could afford any number of contemptuous peeps over his shoulder on the run in.

Two more winners yesterday brought the British total for the festival to eight and that figure was reached when the 14 to 1 shot Jocks Cross was at the end of a vintage Tony McCoy drive in the David Austin Chase.

A total of £990,829 was bet with the bookmakers yesterday and £470,682 with the Tote. That brought the Tote figure for the four days to £1,878,350. Yesterday's attendance of 21,000 brought the attendance total for the week to an estimated 87,000.