Diamond King was produced to perfection by Davy Russell to rule the roost in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
Russell delivered Gordon Elliott's charge after jumping the last flight and quickly asserted on the run to the line.
Baron Alco and Ubak, both trained by Gary Moore, set a steady pace and the tempo only increased down the hill with two flights to jump.
Several horses were spread across the course, with Blazer, Ubak, Waxies Dargle and Long House Hall among those having every chance.
2:30 #Cheltenham Result:
— Boylesports (@BoyleSports) March 16, 2016
1st Diamond King 12/1
2nd Long House Hall 16/1
3rd Ubak 28/1
4th Blazer 8/1
5th Baoulet Delaroque 11/1#BringItOn
However, Diamond King (12-1) burst through on the far side to pounce and score by a length and a quarter from Long House Hall (16-1).
Ubak (28-1) was another neck away in third, with Blazer (8-1) fourth.
Elliott said: "That was great. Davy gave him a great ride and we're delighted everything worked out.
"We thought if he settled he'd win."
Russell said: "It's great to ride a winner here at any time of the year, let alone at the Festival.
"Gordon filled me with loads of confidence - no instructions. All credit has to go to Gordon, he got him here in tip-top shape.
"He's a master of his trade and it was easy to ride him."
Elliott added: "We came here thinking he had a serious chance, but it needed a brave man's ride.
"It's superb when it comes off like that."
Long House Hall is set for a return to chasing following his gallant effort.
Trainer Dan Skelton said: "In an ideal world, they'd have gone a little bit faster and he'd have had less horses around him turning in.
"It was a great run and he just got beaten by one. There's no excuses.
"He jumped every hurdle well and travelled well in the race.
"I've got him entered at Fairyhouse for the Ryanair Gold Cup, but I don't think he'll go there.
"I should imagine he'll go to Aintree, then we'll look at Punchestown and he'll be on the go through the summer.
"I should imagine he'll go for the Galway Plate."
Veteran performer Any Currency stuck on gamely to strike for trainer Martin Keighley and jockey Aidan Coleman in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham.
Second in this race for the last two years, the 13-year-old took over from long-time Valadom in the final part of this cross-country test over three and three-quarter miles and was the clear leader from the third-last obstacle.
Cheltenham 4.10 Result
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) March 16, 2016
1 Any Currency (A Coleman) 11-1
2 Josies Orders (N Carberry) 15-8 Fav
3 Bless The Wings (JJ Codd) 33-1 #RTEracing
Bless The Wings kept Any Currency (11-1) company on the racecourse proper before the 15-8 favourite Josies Orders, for Enda Bolger and Nina Carberry, finished with a flourish up the hill to get to within a length of the winner at the line.
Bless The Wings (33-1) was another length and a quarter away in third.
The well-fancied Balthazar King came down at the second of the cheese wedges at the end of the first of three circuits.
Both horse and jockey Richard Johnson appeared to have escaped unscathed.
Coleman said: "Who says these horses need to be retired at a certain age? This horse is better than ever.
"He's getting his just rewards - he's a pleasure to be involved with.
"I'd love to take him hunting when he retires."
Keighley said: "I'm speechless. The horse deserves it. Aidan gave him a great ride, it's absolutely brilliant."
Paul Nicholls tasted success for the first time at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival when Diego Du Charmil and Romain De Senam gave the Ditcheat trainer a one-two in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
Cheltenham 4.50 Result
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) March 16, 2016
1 Diego Du Charmil 13-2
2 Romain De Senam 20-1
3 Coo Star Sivola 16-1
4 Missy Tata 10-1 #RTEracing
There was still plenty to play for at the final flight where Voix De Reve and Campeador fell independently when looking to have a major say in the finish.
Their dramatic exit left Diego Du Charmil (13-2) in front from long-time leader Coo Star Sivola, but he had to be driven out by Sam Twiston-Davies to hold the late dash of stablemate Romain De Senam (20-1) by a head.
Coo Star Sivola was a head away third and Missy Tata was fourth.
After the race, Nicholls said: "He's done everything right at home, but I didn't want to run him because I would have blown his mark.
"Sam said he could have done with a lead for a lot longer as he was very green when he turned into the straight.
"I've always liked him, he's worked with all the good horses at home and he was my one bet of the Festival at 16-1.
"He's going to make a cracking two-mile chaser, but All Yours, who ran in this last year, went on and won a Grade One at Aintree, so depending on how mine do in the Triumph, that might be the route we take.
"The second horse has run a massive race, too. That's the first time he's ever had a race run to suit as he needs a really fast pace."
