Identity Thief got up late in the piece to win an engaging renewal of the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
Henry de Bromhead's five-year-old was always prominent in the Grade One but handed the initiative back to Top Notch with a poor jump at the last flight.
But Bryan Cooper's companion was the essence of willingness and rallied along the run-in to collect by a neck at odds of 6-1.
De Bromhead: "I'm delighted. He did it really well and it was a super ride from Bryan.
"He missed the last but he got back up well. We've always liked him and it's great to come over here and win a Grade One."
Cooper said: "He did well to get back up after the mistake.
"I was a little worried going down the back but when Ruby (Walsh on Wicklow Brave) came alongside he picked up again.
"I knew he'd stay well so I didn't want to get beaten for speed."
De Bromhead added: "Bryan gave him a super ride, he wasn't in any rush going down the back and, bar the last flight, he was foot perfect.
"I thought he was beat but he's tough.
"That's a proper Champion Hurdle trial so we can dream about that in March but as for where he'll go before then, I'd need to talk to Michael and Eddie O'Leary (owners).
"I think last year everything just happened too quickly which was why he tailed off.
"That was my first runner at Newcastle but I'll be back."
Walsh said of his mount, who finished third: "He couldn't pick up in that ground."
Jockey Nick Scholfield said of last year's winner Irving, who finished sixth: "His jumping was very scrappy and found him out."
