Moscow Flyer put in a flawless jumping performance to land the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy for Jessica Harrington. The high-class hurdler - who beat Istabraq twice last season - had fallen twice over fences this term.
But an extra schooling session under race conditions at Leopardstown last week did the trick and he pulled clear from two out under Barry Geraghty to score by four lengths at 11-2, with McCoy relegated to second again on 5-2 favourite Seebald. Armaturk was another 13 lengths away in third, with the staying-on Truckers Tavern fourth.
Mrs Harrington said: "I always said Moscow Flyer was a super jumper - he was unfortunate to fall twice previously. He always jumps well at home and he jumped hurdles like a chaser. He went to Leopardstown on Monday of last week and he had a school round two miles of the chase course. He did it very nicely that day and he jumped brilliantly today. They went a strong pace and the ground was better today and that suited him.
Geraghty was riding his first Cheltenham Festival winner and said: "It is the feeling of a lifetime - it can never get much better than that. Tony came upsides me at the second-last but I gave my horse a squeeze and I knew he had a lot left.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
