Don Poil (Bryan Cooper) jumps the last in the RSA Chase© Photo Healy Racing
Don Poli has been touted for some time as one of the Irish banker bets of the week, and the Willie Mullins-trained gelding justified 13/8 favouritism under Bryan Cooper in the RSA Chase.
Winner of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle 12 months ago and unbeaten in two previous starts over fences, the six-year-old was having his first start since winning at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Despite racing lazily at various stages of the three-mile Grade One, Don Poli responded to Cooper's urgings and joined Kings Palace for the lead when that horse made a mistake in the back straight.
The two of them fought it out coming down the hill before Don Poli asserted from the home turn. Southfield Theatre briefly appeared a major threat jumping the second-last, but Don Poli powered away from the last for a six-length success. Wounded Warrior like the winner owned by Gigginstown House Stud, was third.
Cooper, who suffered an awful injury at last season's Festival, said: "To get a winner this early (in the meeting) is great. I've been supported by great people.
"Willie's done a serious job with this horse. He could be very special."
Gigginstown supremo Michael O'Leary said: "He always seemed quite comfortable, if anything Bryan had to wake him up.
"It's another outstanding training performance by Willie Mullins - the man's a genius. I have a very good jockey and a great trainer. It's great not to have to wait until Friday for a winner."
Asked whether he could be a Gold Cup horse next year, O'Leary added: "I'll enjoy today, there's no point planning for next year - that will take care of itself."
Mullins, saddling his fifth winner at the meeting, said: "It was special. It looked like he was idling the whole way up the straight, ears pricked.
"It looked like he'd have won the four-mile chase after all!
"If that's the best in Ireland and over in England, you'd have to say that (he could be a future Gold Cup horse).
"We're a bit numb. The week has gone way above our expectations."
Don Poli could run again this spring as connections plot a route towards the Gold Cup next March.
Mullins said: "We'll probably get him ready for Punchestown and there's also Auteuil in the spring.
"I imagine the route we will travel now is for next year's Gold Cup."
Connections of Wounded Warrior were satisfied by his third-placed finish.
Jockey Paul Carberry said: "He picked up the first time when the pace quickened, but when the first few quickened again, he couldn't quite go with them.
"He could be an ideal Irish National type."
Meade said: "You never know how much this will take out of them, but he might go to Punchestown or the Irish National.
"We've always liked him, and he should have been in the four-miler on Tuesday, really. He's only six and can only improve."
