Simonsig won a dramatic renewal of the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Nicky Henderson-trained 2-1 favourite triumphed in the hands of Barry Geraghty, but his task was eased a little as Cotton Mill, who was sitting in second, refused at the second-last obstacle.
That left Simonsig clear and he cruised to a seven-length victory over Willie Mullins' Felix Yonger, with Monksland, trained by Noel Meade another 11 lengths away in third.
Outsider Fiulin blazed into an early lead, but Denis O'Regan was keen not to let him get too far in front and began to reel him in aboard Cotton Mill.
Geraghty all the while sat quietly aboard the winner, hunting round before starting to take a more prominent position four flights from home.
Cotton Mill was still in front at that point as Simonsig cruised up on his outside, but John Ferguson's horse was not finished with yet.
However, he stuttered into the penultimate obstacle, unshipping O'Regan and leaving Simonsig with the race at his mercy.
Henderson had extra reason to celebrate as Simonsig's victory gave him his 41st success at the meeting, making him the leading Cheltenham Festival trainer of all time.
The trainer is looking forward to seeing his charge jump a fence in time, although he does not expect him to be tackling three miles.
He continued: "He's got so much natural talent you could easily run him over two miles.
"Barry was just keen to run here as he thought it might give him more chance to get his jumping together.
"He was still a bit untidy, but he'll learn and he's going to go and jump fences.
"I think the bigger the obstacle we might find the better he'll jump.
"I don't know if he'd want three miles as this (horse) is very quick.
I see no point in going any further than you have to and he could easily come back to two miles."
Geraghty, who was notching up his second winner of the week said afterwards, "He's a serious horse. I was hoping it was going to be as it was. He's a class act, but he's more of a chaser of the making."
Willie Mullins was delighted with the effort of runner-up Felix Yonger. He said: "He ran well. He's improved with every run so we are looking forward to him next season.
"Hopefully we will find him something at Punchestown then go novice chasing and if he keeps improving, I'll be delighted."
