Hurricane Fly brought the house down at Punchestown as he powered to a third StanJames.com Morgiana Hurdle for the 20th Grade One victory of his illustrious career.
Seemingly not the force of old at the end of last season, the Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old returned to his best as he gained revenge on current two-mile king Jezki, his conqueror at Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring.
Ruby Walsh was happy to sit in third for much of the journey as prolific mare Little King Robin opened up a big advantage in her usual front-running style, with Jezki in second.
The big two eventually loomed large and while a mistake two out could have caused problems for Hurricane Fly (15-8), he was soon back moving with menace.
As the principals settled down to fight it out, Hurricane Fly pinged the last and really picked up on the run-in, going away from Jezki at the line, winning with two and a quarter lengths in hand of the 8-13 favourite.
A delighted Mullins said: "When we took the rug off him in the parade ring many onlookers felt he was a bit heavy. But his homework suggested he was stronger than last year.
"Ruby was tactically very good. The onus was on the champion (Jezki) to deal with the pace, and it was easier for us to ride our race. It won't be always that easy through the season. Tactically we had the advantage today.
"He'll go his normal route. You would have to say that run was better than his last two runs last season."
Walsh said: "I was probably the most pessimistic person coming into Punchestown today, but he's a wonderful horse. Form can often be temporary, but class is always permanent.
"Some people may have had their doubts about him, but Kauto Star was also written off a number of times. That's racing, it's all about opinions and he got a wonderful reception from the crowd here today.
"There was nowhere to hide, he jumped well without jumping brilliant, he nodded at the first and missed the second-last but what he's always had is plenty of guts and determination.
"When I got to Jezki I always thought I was going to win."
Jezki's trainer Jessica Harrington said: "He was beaten by a better horse on the day. I won't make any excuses. There was 15 lengths back to the third. He missed the last a bit, but that was all.
"As long as he's OK he'll head to Leopardstown at Christmas."
Mullins completed a double on the card when 11-8 favourite Bordini ran out an impressive winner of the Dick Grainger Memorial (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
His rider Patrick Mullins said: "I think he was quite green when I went for him and I'd say there's improvement to come."
Noel Meade's Chancol denied long-time leader Un Beau Roman to take the Madigans Bars Craddockstown Novice Chase.
Mullins' second string Un Beau Roman jumped well in front and was soon in a clear advantage under Mikey Fogarty.
Walsh's mount Alelchi Inois was sent off the 11-8 favourite but a bad mistake ended his chance some way out, with his rider doing remarkably well to stay in the saddle before pulling the market leader up.
At the business end, only Chancol (3-1) and Paul Carberry had a real chance of catching Fogarty's mount approaching three out, but he too looked to tire coming to the second-last, only to dig deep from the final fence to get up in the last 50 yards.
Meade said: "I think he'll improve because he's so big. He's still light and when he fills out he could be anything. Because of that I don't want to run him too often. Fences are a big help to him, as he jumps so well."
Shanahan's Turn made it two from two over fences with a determined success in the Dobbins Outdoor Catering Florida Pearl Novice Chase.
Eighth in the Neptune at Cheltenham in March, the Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old made a winning debut over two and a half miles of the Naas track at the end of last month and had no trouble seeing out an extra two furlongs upped to Grade Two company.
De Bromhead said of the 11-4 winner: "I was a bit worried about coming here so soon after his last run. We'll give him a break now, and I'd imagine we will try three miles at Leopardstown over Christmas. I wanted to get most of the business done by Christmas, and then see. He runs well fresh."
Pairofbrowneyes (7-1) is set for bigger things after making a victorious return from 252 days off the track in the Go Racing In Kildare 2015 Membership Handicap Hurdle.
Liz Doyle's lightly raced five-year-old stayed on strongly to beat Pivot Bridge by a length and a quarter.
Doyle said: "I thought he'd win and I felt he was my best chance of the weekend. He was on the bridle the last day, but just didn't get home. He just wanted to be dropped back in trip.
"He'll go for something nice after Christmas. It just took the trainer a while to work out his trip."
No More Heroes (2-11 favourite) looked an exciting prospect for Gordon Elliott when easily landing the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle, a race won last year by the top class Faugheen and before that by Road To Riches.
