There was a fairytale outcome to the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup when Florida Pearl returned to deafening applause after landing the prestigious Grade 1 prize for a record fourth time.
The gallant 12-year-old appeared to have some luck on his side when bringing his career tally to 16 wins, and an amazing nine at the highest level.
Florida Pearl was left clear two out when Harbour Pilot, who was upsides and travelling strongly, blundered badly at that fence and unseated Paul Carberry.
Richard Johnson also had an anxious moment at the last when avoiding the riderless Harbour Pilot but the gelding stayed on bravely on the run-in to beat Le Coudray by three lengths.
Rince Ri kept on onepaced a further six lengths away in third, while Alexander Banquet made up a lot of ground in the closing stages to finish a creditable fourth.
A delighted Willie Mullins said, 'Richard felt he had more in the tank today than any day he's ridden him before, and the loose horse helped to tow him along on the run-in.'
However connections of Harbour Pilot were left to contemplate what might have been, and Carberry was in no doubt afterwards that he would have won.
The pair will meet again in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while the Grand National is the likely target for the second, third and fourth.
Pizarro is a top-priced 6/1 with Paddy Power for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase after a hard-earned victory in the Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase.
'Full credit to both horse and jockey' said a relieved Edward O'Grady after the evens favourite dug deep on the run-in for Barry Geraghty to touch off the front-running Mossy Green by a head.
'The ground here today is terrific but he really wants it softer over this trip. He was ready to win here but hopefully there may be a little bit left on to improve again.'
Brave Inca completed a five-timer when justifying the step up to Grade 1 company in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle.
Barry Cash's mount reeled in Newmill after the last to score by three quarters of a length, and trainer Colm Murphy is now considering a host of options at the Cheltenham Festival.
'He may go for the Supreme Novices Hurdle if the ground is soft or the Royal & SunAlliance if it gets quicker, while he will also be entered in the Coral Cup and the County Hurdle and we'll see what weight he gets.'
Power Elite booked his place in the Triumph Hurdle line-up after striking the front on the run-in under Paul Carberry to land the Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle.
Quel Doun lost the lead when blundering badly at the final flight, and Nopekan kept on best of the remainder to finish a length and a half runner-up.
The sponsors immediate reaction was to go 20/1 about a follow up win at Cheltenham, while Shay Barry was given a four days ban for careless riding close home on Quel Doun.
'I was a bit disappointed with him at Gowran last month as he had been working great, but he didn't settle as well as he did today and the ground was very testing,' said trainer Noel Meade.
He added, 'He was bought out of Andre Fabre's stable last October, and has taken well to jumping. The obvious race now is the Triumph Hurdle.'
There was a controversial finish to the two miles handicap hurdle which was dominated by market leaders Macs Joy and Kilbeggan Lad.
A stewards enquiry was quickly called after Macs Joy veered left under Andrew Leigh on the run-in causing Timmy Murphy to snatch up on Kilbeggan Lad.
The placings were subsequently reversed, even though there were three lengths between the pair at the line, and Leigh was given a four days suspension for careless riding.
The stewards were kept particularly busy on the afternoon with five enquiry's including another involving the principals on the run-in of the hunter chase.
Never Compromise was prominent throughout under Derek O'Connor, and held on by a determined length and a half from Spot Thedifference.
Malahide Marina (Jamie Codd) was another to hold on after an enquiry in the bumper.
The crowd of 18,412 was 1,600 up on last year, while the Tote aggregate of E671,313 was a new course record.
Alan Magee
