Moscow Flyer was billed as the star attraction on day one of the Punchestown Festival, and he didn't let his legion of supporters down by justifying odds of 4/11 in the Betdaq.com Champion Chase.
Strong Run set a fast pace in this two miler, with Moscow Flyer and Native Upmanship the only ones able to stay in touch.
The hot favourite led four out and, after Rathgar Beau came from off the pace to throw down a challenge in the straight, Barry Geraghty's mount picked up again to win by a cosy two lengths.
'He was very relaxed and Barry said that was the nicest ride he's ever had on him in Ireland. It's lovely to finish the season like that,' said Jessica Harrington.
She added, 'The King George is the plan next season, although if it's bottomless then we might have to rethink. It's a finding out exercise, and he'll probably start off again in the Fortria at Navan in November.'
Cashmans make him 5/1 favourite for the King George, and 5/2 second favourite (9/4 Azertyuiop) for the Champion Chase.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for the result of the photo-finish to the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle which revealed that Brave Inca had beaten Royal Shakespeare by a short-head.
Never can a horse have been so aptly named as the 6yo gelding answered every call from Barry Cash to land the Grade 1, with the flattering Royal Alphabet a further two and a half lengths back in third.
'He's the perfect racehorse really as all he does is eat and sleep. He needs a stiff two miles, and we'll probably go the Champion Hurdle route next year,' said trainer Colm Murphy.
Lord Sam took the Ellier Developments Novice Chase in unlikely fashion as he jumped quite poorly after he 'got a fright when over-jumping the third'.
Victor Dartnall's charge was quite deliberate afterwards, appearing to have little chance as the patiently-ridden Hi Cloy made smooth progress entering the straight.
However Jim Culloty never gave up and, after the 5/4 favourite and Hi Cloy bumped when in the air at the last, Lord Sam found a bit extra to score by a neck.
'He's a good jumper but can be a bit careful, and he got a fright after the third. He really needs three miles, and we'll have to put him in against the big boys in the King George next season,' said Dartnall.
Andrewjames caused a major shock (33/1 but paid 91.50 on the Tote) in the three miles cross country chase, leading before two out and holding on by a length from 7/4 favourite Takagi.
'He loves the banks and Jeremy (Cash) gave him a great ride. He'll be back on Thursday for the La Touche,' said trainer Peter McCreery.
Another 33/1 outsider to pay well on the Tote was Supreme Being (85.60), produced with a well-timed run by Joey Elliott to head top-weight Strike Back after the last.
There was an 11 horse pile-up in front of the stands last year in the Bewleys Hotels & EBF National Hunt Fillies Championship Bumper, and unfortunately the race provided another major incident as five horses were taken out of the race when Inse Bay slipped up about three furlongs out.
Richard Harding, rider of Garrshella, was found to be at fault by the stewards and was given a ten day ban for careless riding.
Victory went to the Leonard Flynn-ridden Missindependence, pleasing six jackpot punters who each received a dividend of 7,546.50.
There was a cracking finish to the concluding Bishopscourt Cup hunter chase, with Ever Onward winning for the second successive year.
J T McNamara drove him between Monsoon Man and Red Setter on the run-in to score by a length and half a length.
The attendance of 15,229 was up 2,200 on the corresponding day last year, while a record Tote aggregate for the first day at the Festival of 701,836 was up nearly ten per cent on last year.
Alan Magee
