BURDEROP trainer Neil King saluted the performance of his gallant outsider Lil Rockerfeller as Ruby Walsh conjured an irresistible run from Nichols Canyon to deny the Wiltshire-trained horse and lift the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle, the feature race on the third afternoon of the Cheltenham Festival.

Completing a spectacular treble on the card for Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins, the 10-1 winner was produced with a strong run towards the rail to land the spoils for owner Graham Wylie, already a three-time race victor with the great Inglis Drever.

2015 winner Cole Harden set a strong pace that had the field well strung out. When he faded out of contention, Lil Rockerfeller set sail for home, but Nichols Canyon was produced to lead on the run-in and score by three-quarters of a length, with Unowhatimeanharry, the 5-6 favourite, three-and-a-half lengths away in third.

King said: “He’s run a superb race and, to be honest, I thought he had it won.

“Trevor (Whelan) had him in the right place at the right time and the horse jumped beautifully.

“He’s as tough as they come and every run this season has been a career-best, apart from the Cleeve Hurdle, when he came back sick.

“He travelled through the race so well and we’re all very proud of him.

“We’ll think about Punchestown now and after such a good run, why not think about coming back for the Stayers’ Hurdle next year?

“We have schooled him over fences and he’s schooled well, so chasing is an option.”

Walsh, who also scored for trainer Willie Mullins with Yorkhill in the earlier JLT Novices’ Chase, and Un De Sceaux in the Ryanair Chase, said: “He(Nichols Canyon) is a little warrior.

"He switched off, he jumped and we just crept away.

“Lil Rockerfeller was battling back at me but he kept going all the way to the line.’’