Askari bounded into the front off the elbow in Tramore and powered home to give Gordon Elliott an across-the-card double.

He swept past Le Hachette and moved clear on good terms with himself jumping two out.

He popped the last to win well by 11 lengths at 6/1. Eight And Bob the 2/1 favourite, couldn't land a blow in second.

Goodnightgodbless was another three and a quarter lengths away in third at 11/2.

Davy Russell said: "That's him really. He has on days and off days, and today was an on day thank God. It's great for his owner who came over from the UK for the New Year."

Winning owner Lee Power owns Waterford FC and Swindon Town FC. His father was from Waterford.

Elliott also scored with Swordsman (3/1) in Fairyhouse.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy