Savello in full flight at Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Gigginstown took the opening rated chase at Punchestown, but it was Savello at 12/1 who took the spoils as their 11/4 favourite Real Steel fell at the eighth when leading.
Real Steel had picked up the lead from Realt Mor after the sixth fence but he met the eighth all wrong and deposited Bryan Cooper on the turf. Shanpallas was badly hampered by Real Steel and was quickly pulled up Mark Walsh.
Realt Mor was left in the lead as Savello tracked him in second. Savello was soon on terms jumping four out as Foildubh Darwins Fox Art Of Logistics and Gold Bullet all closed up in behind.
A good jump at the third last saw Savello take a narrow advantage from Realt Mor who came off the bridle on the home turn.
Savello travelled strongly and jumped the second last slickly. David Mullins stole a look over both shoulders as he asked Savello to go and win his race.
The nine-year-old negotiated the last with a healthy four length lead over Darwins Fox and Art of Logistics and kept on to score for trainer Tony Martin.
Darwins Fox (13/2) was beaten two and a half lengths into second, with Art Of Logistics (8/1) a further two lengths back in third.
Tony Martin said: "He's had some very good performances but hasn't been the easiest horse. On his day he's not too bad and fortunately today was one of his going days. Everything went right.
"He's had lots of little things and hasn't been the easiest on himself. That was a good performance I thought.
"He goes on that ground. I don't know where we'll go but I don't think he'll be a horse that will be left off. We'll tip away with him.
"He's been running top-class races. He made a terrible mistake at the second at Cheltenham and may have been able to finish fourth then. He's not too far behind the top horses."
Savello was sixth in the Grade One Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham. On his last appearance he was pulled up in the Grade One Champion Chase at Punchestown.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
