Bryan Cooper rider of Don Poli© Photo Healy Racing
< Don Poli just held the late thrust of First Lieutenant to give Willie Mullins his first Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.
The 4-6 market leader travelled in third, some way adrift of On His Own and Foxrock but closed the gap to challenge on the turn.
The frontrunning pair wouldn't lay down, while Davy Russell brought First Lieutenant into the picture after the last, but the line came in time for Don Poli, who claimed the spoils by half a length from his fellow Gigginstown House Stud representative before surviving a stewards' inquiry.< Prince Of Scars (10-1) bridged the considerable gap from handicaps to Grade One company by leading home another Gigginstown one-two in the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle.< Alpha Des Obeaux led after Snow Falcon fell early on and fought off Martello Tower but Davy Russell produced Prince Of Scars on the run to the last, and he stayed on well to triumph by four lengths.
Russell also scored on Zabana (4-1), who showed his quality on his first crack at fences in the Ballymaloe Foods Beginners Chase.
Second in the Coral Cup and third to Jezki in a Punchestown Festival Grade One last term, Andrew Lynch's gelding raced prominently before forging ahead approaching the last, and he held the staying-on Blair Perrone a length and three-quarters at bay.< Forever Gold successfully reverted to timber in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier).
Edward Cawley's 16-1 chance, who was touched off over fences at Fairyhouse last month, found plenty for Chris Timmons' urgings to fend off Russian Bill by a length and a half.
JP McManus' excellent meeting continued when the Tony Martin-trained Whatsforuwontgobyu quickened clear in the Irish Daily Star Christmas Novice Handicap Hurdle as a 9-2 shot.< Chain Gang (6-1) collared Minella Aris in the shadows of the post to land the At The Races Maiden Hurdle, while the Midland Legal Solicitors Flat Race went the way of Gurteen
