Annie Power's dramatic final-flight fall let in her Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Glens Melody (6-1) to win the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Runner-up to her illustrious now retired stable companion Quevega 12 months earlier, Glens Melody (6-1) capitalised from the shock tumble of Annie Power, who appeared to have the race safely in the bag when she crashed out at the last.
Annie Power had stormed to the front under Ruby Walsh two from home and was still travelling easily when she misjudged the obstacle.
Thankfully, both Annie Power and Walsh emerged seemingly none the worse. L'Unique was another faller, but also got up.
Annie Power's demise resulted in a thrilling finish as Glens Melody, ridden by Paul Townend, just held off Polly Peachum (9-1) by a head with Bitofapuzzle (16-1) a neck away in third.
Townend said: "It's not the nicest way to win, but she deserves it as she's a great mare.
"(I'm pleased) for the owners who kept her in training and gave me the ride. I'm delighted. It's brilliant."
Mullins said: "Annie is up all right and Ruby is up all right, so everyone is fine and we can enjoy Glens Melody now.
"I thought Annie just stood off - she was probably going too well. I'm delighted for Fiona (McStay, owner) who was right to keep her in training and come back for this race.
"Paul is a fantastic guy. It's great he's had a winner on the first day of Cheltenham. You couldn't write a script like today."
Mullins added: "Last year she was robbed by Quevega having jumped the last in front and this year she got the rub of the green.
"It's unbelievable to have four winners in one day. I keep thinking this is not real and it won't last forever, so I'm going to enjoy it now."
Walsh said of Annie Power: "I don't know why she did it. She was a bit far away and came down under the top bar and turned over. That's racing, that happens.
"It's been a super day. Douvan was great, Un De Sceaux was brilliant, Faugheen winning the Champion Hurdle was magic. At least Annie Power got up and there'll be another day.
"I thought she'd gallop her way through it. She did that in the past at Doncaster. She galloped through the last there. Today she didn't."
Nicky Henderson said of Polly Peachum, another placed runner for Seven Barrows after Josses Hill in the Arkle: "We're getting close. There isn't a mares' race for her at Aintree and if we go to Punchestown we will bump into Annie Power again."
