Local trainer Ger Lyons recorded the biggest win of his career when Big-And-Bold landed the Powers Gold Cup under Ruby Walsh in front of 8,633 racegoers.
The grey 6yo was up with the pace throughout, and stayed on gamely under pressure in the straight to beat Harbour Pilot by 3/4L with English raider Biliverdin just a neck further back.
'I think that's the first runner I've had in a Grade 1 race, and this is certainly the best horse I have trained,' said a delighted Lyons.
He added, 'He's had an interrupted preparation, with a sinus infection after winning at Down Royal and a stone bruise on his off hind last week.'
'Ruby said he blew up after the second last, and the plan now is to go for the Scottish Future Champions Chase at Ayr.'
The Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle Series Final proved a highly competitive feature, and Anxious Moments landed the E100,000 event for David Casey and Charlie Swan.
The 7yo led before the home turn, and dug deep on the far rail when challenged by a wall of horses before the last to beat Just Our Job by 1L.
Just Our Job's handler Dessie Hughes gained ample compensation by saddling both bumper winners including a 1-2 in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper.
Hardy Eustace benefitted from a determined drive by Kevin O'Ryan, leading well inside the final furlong to beat Central House by 2L.
The Curragh trainer was also on the mark with Admiral Brown (Roger Loughran), who held off Did'ntsleepawink by 1/2L in the finale.
Yesterday's jackpot rollover mushroomed into a bumper pool of E123,307, and the victory of Jamica Plane in the handicap chase resulted in just one winner scooping a dividend of E92,480.
Joe Blake signed off for the season on a winning note when justifying favouritism in the Joesph R O'Reilly Memorial Cup, ridden out on the run-in by Liam Lennon to beat Polaris Flame by 3 /4L.
'Liam said he was a little bit flat today, and that's it now for this season,' said trainer Ian Ferguson, who confirmed that the 7yo will remain in the hunter chase class next term.
In The Forge (Barry Geraghty) may head for the Punchestown Festival if none the worse for an overreach suffered at the second last en route to taking the 2m conditions hurdle.
'I can't wait to send him over fences next season,' said trainer Willie Mullins after Livingstonebramble led two out to beat Gli Gli by 4L in the maiden hurdle.
Alan Magee
