Beef Or Salmon brought his Grade 1 haul over fences to double figures when winning the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup for the third time in dramatic fashion.
There were scenes reminiscent of Danoli's victory in this race ten years ago as the 11yo was led back into a packed parade ring after catching 9/10 favourite The Listener in the closing stages.
Favourite backers looked sure to collect as the grey, jumping superbly in front, held a 10L advantage while Andrew McNamara was hard at work on the Michael Hourigan-trained gelding.
However The Listener came under pressure approaching the last and, with the roar of the home crowd pushing him forward, Beef Or Salmon gradually erased the deficit to score by 3/4L.
Over 34,000 euro was matched on Betfair 'in running' on The Listener at 1/100, while Beef Or Salmon was backed at 100/1.
'At the home bend I didn't think I could win but I knew he stayed and, when the favourite started to tie up halfway up the straight, I thought I had a chance,' said a delighted McNamara.
Hourigan, who felt his charge didn't jump quite as well as at Christmas, said, 'He's been a great servant and it's wonderful for the owners. There are very few that have won ten Grade 1's!'
A fifth crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup is on the cards with a general quote of 25/1, while The Listener is a 14/1 chance with Cashmans.
Aran Concerto led home a 1-2 for the Noel Meade stable in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle, which was not short of drama despite just four horses going to post.
Stable-companion Leading Run set the pace but continually jumped out to the right, and this tendency caused trouble two out where Catch Me was hampered and unseated Barry Geraghty.
Aran Concerto set sail for home under Paul Carberry at this point and eventually came home a 3L victor with Arrive Sir Clive, also hampered in that incident two out, the same distance back in third.
Meade has never been shy about his strong belief in the son of Zaffaran, and was again fulsome in his praise afterwards.
'He's got gears, stamina and is now settling a lot better. He's a real chaser, has great balance and is a commanding individual.'
'He's in two novice races at Cheltenham but I've always favoured the Ballymore Properties as he's bred to stay. I would not be worried about good ground as long as it's not firm,' he added.
The six-year-old is clear favourite for the 'Ballymore Properties' with all firms, and a best-priced 11/4 (from 3's) with both Powers and Cashmans.
The other Grade 1 on the card, the Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase, went to Mister Top Notch although his task was greatly eased by the errors of a number of his rivals.
Knight Legend departed early on, while Alexander Taipan was challenging and within a length when falling at the last leaving Conor O'Dwyer's mount clear to beat Vic Venturi by 7L.
'We didn't enter him at Cheltenham as he got badly dehydrated when over there last year. He may go to Aintree but there is also Fairyhouse and Punchestown.'
'I'm convinced he'll be a better horse on good ground,' said trainer Davy Fitzgerald of the 14/1 winner.
Convincing booked his place in the Triumph Hurdle line-up with a hard fought victory in the Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle, although the Cork-based sponsoring firm offer 33/1 on a repeat win at the Festival.
Island Life was sent off the well-backed 8/11 favourite for the Grade 2 event but could find no extra when headed by the winner at the last.
Financial Reward launched a renewed effort in the closing stages but Eddie Power's mount held on to score by a neck.
'He's a bit lazy and Eddie felt he had plenty left. He had a bit of a temperature when disappointing here at Christmas,' said trainer John Murphy.
He also reports stablestar Newmill in good form after his fall at Punchestown last Sunday and likely to head straight for Cheltenham.
Whyso Mayo is on target to defend his Foxhunters crown at the Festival (cut to 3/1 favourite from 4's with Cashmans) although his jumping was far from perfect before drawing clear on the run-in to beat Old Screw Bald by 11L.
There was a tremendous finish to the 2m handicap hurdle with Farmer Brown (Philip Carberry) getting back up in the final strides under hands and heels riding to pip the gambled on Well Mounted (5/1-5/2).
Pearl's A Singer maintained trainer Eric McNamara's good run when landing the mares handicap hurdle, leading before the last under Brian Byrnes to beat the staying on Media Queen by 2 1/2L.
Tranquil Sea earned a 20/1 quote for the Cheltenham Bumper following a 5L verdict over Stewarts House, although Mad Fish was withdrawn from the finale due to the testing ground.
Alan Magee
