< Killultagh Vic made a successful return to the track for Willie Mullins at Punchestown on New Year's Eve.
The son of Old Vic had been off the track for almost two years having sustained an injury at Leopardstown in January 2016.
The 9-10 favourite was not the most convincing in the jumping department, but he got the job done under Paul Townend in the Free Festival Upgrade Ticket Offer Hurdle at the expense of Ex Patriot and Diamond King
Gordon Elliott's good run of form continued as he capped off what has been another great year with a 59-1 treble, all three of which ridden by Davy Russell.
Action got underway at 12.35 with the Buy Your 2018 Annual Membership Beginners Chase and Monbeg Notorious (8-11 favourite), a point-to-point, bumper and hurdles winner, added a first chase success to an already impressive CV.
He got the ball rolling before Robin Des Mana (7-1) doubled up for Elliott and Russell when he got back to winning ways in the Goffs Punchestown Invitational Sale Handicap Chase.
Russell kept it simple aboard the six-year-old but when Surrogate Lad laid down a serious challenge approaching the final fence, the writing looked to be on the wall.
Tony Martin's charge knuckled on landing and fell, though, leaving Elliott's inmate to run out a 19-length winner.
The three-timer was completed in the Festival Hospitality On Sale 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle courtesy of Veneer Of Charm (100-30).
Henry de Bromhead's Les Arceaux was travelling stylishly on the outside when they turned for home but Elliott's hurdling newcomer quickened up well on the inside and won by a ready three quarters of a length.< Returntovendor (25-1) put a couple of moderate efforts well behind when digging deep for success in the Buy Your Tickets Online At www.punchestown.com Handicap Hurdle, while Urbanist (3-1 joint favourite) bounced back to form in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle and Moyhenna (13-2) landed a gamble in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race.
