Pierrot Lunaire produced a stunning performance to run out a devastating winner of the Littlewoods Direct Imagine Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Friday.

The four-year-old was having only his fourth career start over hurdles but sealed a 179-1 treble on the day for trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh with a 14-length victory from 7-1 chance Blue Bajan, in turn six lengths ahead of 50-1 shot Lazy Darren.

Nicholls said: "We've done a lot of work with his jumping and it had a lot to so with his defeat last time, though that was to Binocular.

"Thehorses are all running well. It is a great team effort and a lot of hard work."

Pierrot Lunaire, who was sent off at 5-1, has been quoted at 16-1 for the 2009 Champion Hurdle.

The 5-4 favourite Captain Cee Bee was pulled up before the last and dismounted by his rider Tony McCoy.

It later emerged Captain Cee Bee broke a blood vessel.

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