Cristal Bonus in action© Photo Healy Racing
< Kauto Stone maintained a family tradition by landing the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.
A half-brother to recently-retired legend Kauto Star, who won this race twice, the Paul Nicholls-trained 4-1 shot was stepping up to three miles for the first time and ran free in the early stages.
Daryl Jacob soon got him on an even keel, however, and after challenging for the lead over two out, he proved his stamina by outbattling First Lieutenant to a one-length call.
Nicholls was back in the winner's enclosure when Cristal Bonus (2-1) gave him his fifth Ladbrokes Chase in a row.
The exciting six-year-old had already collared front-running market leader Bog Warrior when that one crashed out at the final fence, and Cristal Bonus strode clear under Jacob to beat Jacksonslady by nine lengths.
Jane Mangan enjoyed a decent payday after steering Beef To The Heels to the spoils in the Billecart-Salmon Handicap Hurdle.
Gordon Elliott's 8-1 chance looked a sitting duck for the strong-travelling Thomas Edison to aim at approaching the final flight, but he jumped it well and responded to all of his rider's urgings to score by four lengths.< Art Of Logistics (11-10) fought really hard for favourite-backers in the Value Cabs Maiden Hurdle, rallying gamely once headed by Toye Native to get back up by a neck.
Local hope Latin Connection (20-1) showed similar resolution to defy top-weight at the expense of the well-treated Great Oak in the Tayto Group Handicap Hurdle, while trainer Stuart Crawford followed up when Gilt Shadow (14-1) made a successful start to his career in the Allen Logistics (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.< Kyle's Turn was another to shoulder a welter burden in a thrilling finish to the Rainbow Communications Handicap Chase.
The 10-1 chance just clung on from Days Ahead with Tarquinius a close-up third.
