< Joncol got the better of a thrilling tussle with Cooldine to claim the Hennessy Gold Cup on a top-class day of action at Leopardstown.
Paul Nolan's 9-4 favourite was ridden with more restraint than when third in the Lexus and only threw down his challenge approaching the last.
It was at that point that Schindlers Hunt s stamina gave way and Cooldine, who had bowled along in front for much of the contest, set sail for home. But Alain Cawley got everything out of Joncol to prevail by a neck.
The undoubted star of the afternoon, however, was Dunguib who landed the Deloitte Novice Hurdle with almost embarrassing ease.
Philip Fenton's budding superstar was anchored in rear and was far from fluent at more than one flight of hurdles, but he cruised into contention on the home turn, with Brian O'Connell sitting motionless.< Fionnegas tried to put up a fight but Dunguib, who is now odds-on for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, was a class apart and registered a two-and-a-half-length verdict as the 30-100 market leader.< Citizen Vic the lesser-fancied of the Willie Mullins duo, sprang a 12-1 surprise in the Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase under Paul Townend.< Cousin Vinny was the stable's number one hope, but he could never land a blow, while Colm Murphy's Zaarito loomed large on the scene before crashing out at the last.
Citizen Vic had been at the head of affairs throughout and scored by a length and three-quarters from Weapon's Amnesty who ran a good trial for the RSA Chase.< Pittoni extended his unbeaten record over obstacles to three with a decisive success in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.
The superior acceleration shown by Charles Byrnes' 4-6 favourite between the last two was the difference as he careered two and a half lengths away from Cross Appeal and, providing the ground is suitable, the Triumph Hurdle is next.< Blazing Tempo (14-1) fought gamely to repel Cool Quest in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle, and Ruby Walsh drove Moville (7-1) to the spoils in the Star's Kieran O'Connell - Europe's
