Carlingford Lough belied his 20-1 starting price to land a dramatic renewal of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown for the second year running.
Successful for the now-retired Tony McCoy 12 months ago, the John Kiely-trained 10-year-old was
ridden by Mark Walsh, who took advantage of the last-fence exit of Valseur Lido.
Ruby Walsh appeared to be sitting pretty on Willie Mullins' charge, but Valseur Lido hit the obstacle hard and was on his nose.
Walsh tried to stay on board but had no chance and went out the side door.
Road To Riches had looked to be his main danger but Carlingford Lough came from a long way behind to storm clear on the run-in for Walsh, who got the ride as Barry Geraghty chose owner JP McManus' other runner Gilgamboa.
Road To Riches, the 5-4 favourite was beaten 12 lengths in second place, with 33-1 chance Fine Rightly running a huge race in third.
The winning rider said: "I didn't think I was going to win three out.
"They went a hell of a gallop the whole way and I was never travelling, never happy with him at all.
"I just kept going gently with him, but at the third-last I thought I was going nowhere and I was nearly going to pull up.
"I just kept tipping away and once I jumped the second-last the others stopped in front of me and he kept galloping."
Walsh went on: "He stuck his head down and sprinted, winged the last and just galloped home to the line. I was the one that was quickening when Ruby hadn't gone for Valseur Lido, but I'm pretty confident I would have won anyway.
"It was a brilliant feeling. To be going round there thinking you had no chance and considering pulling up at one stage and then to win by 12 lengths - it was just brilliant. He's a good horse to do that.
"I think, in fairness, they probably went too quick early and they all started to stop coming up to the last and I was giving my lad a chance the whole way round to fill himself up, to fill his lungs with air, and as I said once he passed one horse he sprinted away."
Kiely said of his winner: "I didn't think he could win two Irish Gold Cups.
"He was in good form, but I was just hoping to be in the first four. I told Mark to ride him to finish, and it worked.
"I think he won despite the ground, and if he was up with the pace I don't think he would have got home.
"Going to the last you could see he was finding a new lease of life, and I thought he had a chance then. It's lovely for Mark as he's done a lot of the ground work.
"We'll see how he comes out of the race before deciding what to do, and we'll see what JP and Frank (Berry, racing manager) want to do."
