Market leaders Euro Leader and Monterey Bay fought out a fantastic finish to the 150,000 Guinness Kerry National, with the top-weight just prevailing under an inspired ride from Ruby Walsh.
The runner-up didn't help his chance by edging slightly right at the two fences in the straight but Euro Leader, who landed in front two out, also got close in at the last before rallying for a neck win.
Pearly Jack held every chance but could find no extra after two out to finish a further four and a half lengths back in third with Howaya Pet another four lengths away in fourth.
A delighted Willie Mullins just made it to the track in time for the three miles feature following a fortnight holidaying in Kenya and Zanzibar, and paid tribute to his stable staff.
'I would like to thank my home team especially Tracey Gilmour, James Nash and Ruby for keeping everything going while I was away. That was a great effort under 12st, and giving 25lb to the second.'
'The Hennessy at Newbury would look on the cards but today was the plan and I will have to go home and think about it. He wouldn't want really heavy ground,' added Mullins.
Thomas Gilligan's colours were again successful half-an-hour later in the maiden hurdle where Hardwick supplied Adrian Maguire with his second winner under rules as a trainer.
Colman Sweeney's mount quickened clear after two out to beat Lorna's Star by seven lengths, and Maguire, who saddled 14 point-to-point winners last season, was quick to give praise elsewhere.
'I am really grateful to the local farmers at Laharn Cross (near Mallow) for using their grass gallops and also to Michael Hourigan for using his facilities.'
'I was never nervous riding whether it was a selling hurdle or the Gold Cup but my heart was really thumping today,' confessed Maguire.
Fit The Cove, winner of five handicaps in the space of two months last autumn including over this course and distance, opened his account for the season in the seven furlongs handicap.
Kevin Manning sent him clear off the home bend and the five-year-old gelding kept on strongly to beat Nebraska Lady by a comfortable 2 1/2L.
'There was obviously enough ease there as he loved it, and he's earned a crack now at the Group 3 Concorde Stakes at Tipperary on October 2,' said trainer Harry Rogers of his 18th winner of the season.
Athboy trainer Andrew Heffernan and his wife Margaret, head of the Dunnes Stores chain, were on hand to greet Makishma after the Namid filly had landed the 7f auction maiden.
Colm O'Donoghue produced her with a well-timed challenge, leading a furlong out and stretching clear to beat Amelia Anne by two lengths.
'She's improved a lot since her last run at Fairyhouse and she really needs a little cut in the ground,' commented the winning trainer afterwards.
Kieren Fallon made an immediate impact on his first visit to the Co. Kerry track since his apprentice days when successful aboard De Laurentiis (5/2-100/30) in the betfair-sponsored 1m4f race.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Sadler's Wells needed to be rousted along before the straight but responded well to Fallon's urgings to beat Dream To Dress by half a length.
Charyan benefited from a well-judged ride by Alan Crowe in the maiden hurdle, challenging at the last to beat Mount Grace by half a length.
Curragh Gem jumped to the front two out in the two miles handicap chase, and the well-backed 2/1 favourite kept on well for Johnny Allen to beat long-time leader Mattys Joy by 2 1/2L.
The 'Bowe' colours were successful in typical front-running fashion in the bumper as Veedon Fleece provided amateur Noel McParlan with his second winner.
Alan Magee
