< Neptune Collonges (8-13 favourite) plundered another decent prize on this side of the Irish Sea when registering a comfortable victory in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.
Paul Nicholls' grey is already a dual winner at the Punchestown Festival but fell when leading in the Lexus last time.
However, his jumping was near enough foot-perfect here and after seeing off pacesetter The Listener he held the threat of gallant Welsh National hero Notre Pere by five lengths.
Neptune Collonges, who completed a treble for Ruby Walsh, will head to Cheltenham now and has serious pretentions of bettering his third in last year's Gold Cup.< Pandorama regained the winning thread when he was gifted the Deloitte Novices' Hurdle.< Cousin Vinny was sent off favourite after the withdrawal of stablemate Hurricane Fly, and was galloping all over the winner approaching the last.
He jumped the flight well but knuckled on landing, throwing Patrick Mullins into the turf, and Pandorama was left to cruise home 10 lengths clear of Western Charmer as the 6-4 second favourite.
Willie Mullins gained some compensation for Cousin Vinny's defeat when Cooldine stayed on best to land the Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase.
The 9-4 joint-favourite relished the step up in trip, but had a fight on his hands when passed by Forpadydeplasterer at the last.
He stuck his head down and battled for Walsh, though, and got back up to register a two-and-a-half-length verdict.< Jumbo Rio gained compensation for his Punchestown demotion when landing the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.
Edward O'Grady's 11-4 chance had been placed behind Mourad on his jumping debut and went in pursuit when that rival took over turning in here. He took over at the last before holding the renewed challenge of Ebadiyan by three-quarters of a length, and the Triumph Hurdle is now on the agenda.
Walsh produced Savitha (4-1) with a well-timed challenge to catch Romarca on the run-in in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle, while her trainer Paul Nolan was also on the mark courtesy of
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