Rebel Fitz just held off the late thrust of Cause Of Causes to take the glory in an incident-packed Guinness Galway Hurdle.
Favourite Drive Time and Ruby Walsh suffered a nasty fall before the race really began in earnest, bringing down another leading hope in Donald McCain's British challenger Lexi's Boy under Jason Maguire.
The Michael Winters-trained Rebel Fitz was an 11-2 chance to follow up his victory in the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary less than a fortnight ago and travelled sweetly in the hands of Davy Russell.
The champion jockey sent his mount to the lead and looked set to run out a ready winner after safely negotiating the final flight.
Russell was celebrating with a few strides to go, but he had not seen Cause Of Causes absolutely flying home on the short run-in.
The rider was able to breathe a sigh of relief, however, as Rebel Fitz hung on by a diminishing head.
The veteran Captain Cee Bee ran a highly creditable race to finish third, with fellow JP McManus-owned runner Plan A in fourth.
Call Me Bubbles (5/4) justified a strong market support to take the IRFU Charitable Trust Handicap. His stablemate Shes Tensixtysix had her supporters for her debut in the Arthur's Legacy INH Flat Race but could only manage third behind Gate Please.
Lady Wingshot outbattled Yellow Rosebud to land Listed honours in the Arthur Guinness EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes.
Fitter for her recent return at Naas, Jim Bolger's 9/2 chance took up the running shortly after turning for home and although Yellow Rosebud eventually got close enough to mount a challenge, the line came in time for Lady Wingshot, who held on by a head.
Tugboat (7/2) continued his jumping education with a clear-cut success in the Arthur Guinness Fund Novice Hurdle.
Having just his third start over obstacles, Edward O'Grady's charge established what turned out to be a winning advantage at the penultimate flight, and he inflicted a two-and-a-quarter-length defeat on Letherbelucky.
Murchu (13/2) produced a telling surge before the second-last fence in the Perfect Pint Beginners Chase, and maintained his momentum to dispose of Markey Cee by eight lengths, while Glibin (16/1) capitalised on the weight she received from her opponents in the Guinness Series Novice Chase by just repelling the threat of Great Oak.
The application of blinkers worked the oracle for Sadler's Mark in the Guinness Time Handicap. The splits opened nicely for the Dermot McLoughlin-trained 9/2 shot at the top of the straight and he quickened through well to beat Maundy Money by two and a quarter lengths.
