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Brave Inca got favourite-backers off to the best possible start with victory in the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Colm Murphy-trained Irish raider had to dig very deep to get the better of the aptly-named War Of Attrition up the hill.

The pair had matters between them turning for home and jumped the last upsides. Fleet Street stayed on for third.

Locksmith and Fleet Street raced up with the pace from the off, with Brave Inca eventually settled in mid-division.

Barry Cash took closer order with three to jump and he was right on War Of Attrition's shoulder as they came round the final bend.

They both pinged the last and it was only at the line that Brave Inca, who went off at 7-2, prevailed in a truly titanic contest.

"That was super. Colm had the horse spot-on. He's never given me instructions before, but today he just told me to have him handy. After that it was up to me," Cash told Channel 4.

"He jumped well and travelled great. I knew he would keep pulling more out - he's tough. It was brilliant."

Murphy said: "We always had our hearts set on the SunAlliance as he gets further, but dad was saying for the last fortnight we should go for for this one.

"Words can't describe what it's like - this is what it is all about."

Trainer Mouse Morris was pleased with War Of Attrition's performance after the gelding's neck defeat at 33-1.

He said: "That was fantastic. He's a chaser really, so we are delighted. He's a nice horse to look forward to next season with.

"We'll put him away now and send him chasing next year."

Connections of third-placed Fleet Street (20-1) could not have been happier with their horse.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "He has run a fantastic race. We are very pleased with him. Everything was right on the day. He kept on at the end.

"I'm not sure what we will do with him now, but he will probably run again. He has only had four races."

Owner Henry Ponsonby added: "I backed him at 70-1 and 65-1 and all the way down each-way on Betfair.

"He is only going to improve again and his half-brother Tusk will win the Triumph Hurdle on Thursday."

War Of Attrition's rider Conor O'Dwyer was suspended for three days (March 27, 28 and 29) for, on his own admission, hitting his mount in the wrong place.

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